How to Get Rid Of Cold Sores
How To Get Rid Of Cold Sores – There is no permanent cure for cold sores, but you can reduce the soreness through simple remedies. Watch this video on how to get rid of cold sores quickly and effectively.
Expert: Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Director of Dermatologic Research, Associate Residency Program Director, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Transcript
You open your eyes one beautiful, sunny morning, and then realize – your lip is tingling and burning in an all too familiar manner. If you have a tendency to get the tiny blisters called cold sores on and around your lips, you know this scenario well.
Cold sores, which are also known as fever blisters or oral herpes, are caused by the herpes simplex virus, or HSV-1. Unfortunately, once HSV infects, it will live in your body forever. And although HSV spends most of its time dormant in a nerve bundle called the ganglion, it will occasionally “wake up” and travel back through the body’s nerve endings and into the skin, causing a cold sore recurrence.
There’s no curing HSV, but you CAN shorten the time you must suffer through having a cold sore. One time tested method is to apply an ice compact to the affected area AS SOON AS you feel the tingle of a developing cold sore. Ice not only eases the pain, but if applied regularly, it can help reduce inflammation and even speed healing time.
Or you can try whole milk. Soak a cotton ball in milk and hold it to the sore for ten to 15 minutes daily. Whole milk is rich in a protein called monocaprin which helps stop HSV-1 in its tracks.
Another tasty way to cut healing time is by chewing on licorice. The candy contains glycyrrhizic acid, which is known for its ability to halt HSV-1. A word of warning though: Most U.S.-manufactured licorice is made with anise, NOT real licorice, so be sure the candy’s packaging reads “licorice mass.”
If your cold sore has already become full-blown, consider covering it with petroleum jelly while you’re at home. Not only will this speed healing time, it also prevents bacterial infection, which could easily EXTEND the life of a sore. If your cold sore causes you discomfort-and many do-try an over-the-counter pain reliever like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen.
Even teething ointments can help numb the area temporarily. And although popular opinion regarding their effectiveness is mixed, there are also non-prescription ointments meant to shorten the length of a cold sore. They’re called Abreva and Herpecin-L. There currently are several prescription antiviral medications available to both prevent and decrease the duration of cold sores. They are usually reserved for people with fairly frequent outbreaks, or for people who suffer from genital herpes. make an appointment to speak with your doctor!
Last Modified: 2012-11-17 |
Category: Health and Nutrition, Videos
