Cold Sores and its Treatment

A virus called HSV causes herpes simplex. HSV are of two types- HSV1 and HSV2. HSV 1 normally causes oral herpes or cold sores. The virus is normally contacted during childhood when an infected person kisses a child. Though HSV2 can also occur in the oral area, it rarely causes oral herpes. But the virus that causes cold sores can easily cause genital herpes. Let us find out more about cold sores.

There are a large number of home remedies for cold sores. In some cases these traditional treatments have been known to work as well as antiviral pills or numbing creams. One advantage of using a home remedy for cold sores is that treatment can begin immediately since there is no need to visit the doctor to get a prescription or go to the drugstore and choose between several creams. As soon as someone realizes they are developing a cold sore, they can begin the home remedy.

Treatment:

1. Avoid frequently touching the cold sore and covering it up with makeup as this will worsen the condition and may even cause secondary infections.

2. Keep the cold sore clean and dry by washing it with a damp washcloth and soap once every two hours. Also, it needs to be completely drained of all fluid, so sterilze a needle with some rubbing alcohol and then puncture, drain, and dab up the fluid from the cold sore with a Kleenex or some tissue paper. If you've ever done this with a pimple then you know what I'm talking about.

3. You should completely avoid over exposure to both harsh winds and intense sunlight. These environmental conditions intensify the herpes virus outbreak problems. The herpes simplex virus gets activated in these extreme conditions.

4. Studies have shown that glycyrrhizic acid, an ingredient in licorice, stops the cold sore virus (Herpes Simplex 1) dead. So you can try chewing a licorice whip, just be sure it's made from real licorice, as most "licorice" candy in the United States today is flavored with anise. If the ingredient list says "licorice mass," then the product contains real licorice. You could also try buying some licorice powder and sprinkling it on the sore, or mix up a cream with a pinch of licorice power and a little bit of vegetable shortening, then apply to the cold sore.

5. Lemon juice is also considered one of the cold sores home remedies. Lemon juice is known to speed up the healing of many skin conditions, not just sores. Its healing properties are very effective in alleviating the symptoms related to cold sores. Apply lemon juice extract directly to the blisters to achieve its powerful healing action.

6. Take herbal treatments such as antiseptics Tea Tree Oil and Sage,etc. Seek medical advice before attempting this cold sore treatment.

7. The coldsoretreatment started with Aspirin and Acetaminophen to get relief from the pain of herpes virus sore outbreaks. Later on the powerful oral anti viral medications like Acyclovir, Famiclovir, Valcyclovir, Penciclovir etc hit the cold sore cure market.