Since there is currently no complete cure available for cold sores, all cold sore treatments only focuses on preventing the illness, reducing the symptoms, and speeding up the process of healing.
And even if the lack of progress in cold sore treatment is frustrating the medical community, there are still a lot of remedies for cold sore that you can try.
Most sufferers of cold sores believe that taking L-lysine supplements regularly not only reduces the frequency, but also the severity of cold sore outbreaks.
Since long exposure to the sun can also trigger the outbreak, applying sunscreen and using lip balms or moisturizers are also recommended.
There are a lot of home remedies for cold sore that are aimed at easing the discomfort caused by the sores and hasten the process of healing.
Some of these are aloe, cornstarch, chaparral, lemon balm, camphor, and grapefruit seed extract.
Aloe can be used in the form of juice or gel.
It is usually effective when used at the first sign of the sore.
Cornstarch can be applied as a cornstarch paste to the lesion.
The herb chaparral is said to be effective in relieving inflammation and deactivating some viruses.
Lemon balm extract is good at reducing cold sore symptoms.
In using the extract of grapefruit seed, you can mix it with aloe or olive olive before applying to the sores.
Other simple remedies for cold sore include applying ice or tea bags to the affected area to slow down the development of the sores.
Ice is good because it lessens itchiness and acts as a numbing agent while tea bags are beneficial because of the tannic acid content in tea.
To prevent the scabs from cracking and bleeding, you can apply petroleum jelly as moisturizing agent.
There are also some homeopathic remedies for cold sore.
These include Natrum muriaticum or Nat mur, Rhus toxicodendron, Sepia or cuttlefish ink, and Hepar sulphuris calcareum.
These are used depending on the stage of the lesion.
However, it is important that to ask expert advice on these remedies to avoid any problems as well.
When it comes to herbal treatment for cold sores, the most effective ones are those that have antiviral components.
The best killers of the herpes virus are St.
John's wort and lemon balm.
Oregon grape and licorice are beneficial too because they help in suppressing viral replication.
Chamomile is also another known remedy for cold sores.
The antimicrobial properties and anti-inflammatory substance in chamomile make it a good remedy for cold sores too.
Other effective remedies for cold sore that you may want to try are myrrh to ease the pain and sage tea to clear the sores.
In addition to these, you may also consider applying peppermint tea on the sores or dabbing tea tree oil on the affected area.
In treating your cold sores, it is indeed safer to go for natural ways.
However, make sure also that you are not creating more problems with your skin.
Before applying any creams or treatments, make sure that they are clean at all times.
Be aware that cold sores are contagious, so make sure you are not just treating your cold sores, but you are also preventing it to spread to others.