Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters commonly seen around the mouth or on the side of the lips (1). Caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1), cold sores break and ooze out pus, leaving white crusts all over the mouth. While it takes two to four weeks for the sores to heal on their own, the good news is that there are some home remedies you can try to get rid of those cold sores faster. Unsightly and painful, cold sores are transmitted through close contact with an infected person through kissing or oral sex. After contracting the infection, people may develop cold sores within a few days with accompanying symptoms such as fever and a headache. Consulting a doctor is the best solution as they may recommend antiviral medications along with some natural remedies you can try at home to get rid of the sores quicker. In this article, we explore a few natural remedies you can use to alleviate and prevent the recurrence of cold sores. Show
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Home Remedies For Cold Sores – How To Treat Cold Sores Naturally
These home remedies may not work for everyone. We suggest you consult a healthcare provider and opt for the prescribed antiviral medications for faster results. 1. Tea Tree Oil
Shutterstock Tea tree oil possesses strong antiviral properties that can kill the infection-causing virus (herpes simplex virus) and speeds up the healing process (2). You Will Need
What You Have To Do Dab some tea tree oil on the cotton swab and apply it directly to the sore. How Often You Need To Do This Repeat this several times during the day and before you go to sleep. 2. Ice CubesIce can reduce swelling (3). It may help ease the inflammation caused by the cold sores. You Will Need An ice cube What You Have To Do Hold the ice cube on the cold sore to reduce the swelling and itching. Avoid scratching it. How Often You Need To Do This Repeat this several times during the day. 3. Apple Cider VinegarApple cider vinegar exhibits antimicrobial and antibacterial activities (4), (5). It can help in preventing further infection in the affected area and removing the cold sores once they have reached the scabbing stage. You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Need To Do This You may repeat this 3 times a day. 4. Peppermint OilPeppermint oil exerts high levels of virucidal activity against herpes simplex virus (6). A study concluded that peppermint oil might be suitable for topical use in cases of recurrent herpes infection. Regular application of this oil is one of the best ways to get rid of cold sores. You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Need To Do This You can do this 3 times a day. 5. Kanuka HoneyKanuka honey (native to New Zealand) has antiviral and wound promoting properties (7). It can not only heal the infected sore but also soothe inflamed and irritated skin. You Will Need 1/2 teaspoon of honey What You Have To Do
How Often You Need To Do This Do this 2 times a day. 6. Coconut OilCoconut oil is a potent antimicrobial agent (8). It contains triglycerides, like lauric acid, that can kill the virus and eliminate the cold sores (9),(10). However, coconut oil alone cannot make the cold sores disappear completely. You need to use a more effective medicine for beneficial results. You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Need To Do This You can repeat the application every hour. 7. Lemon Balm OilLemon balm (Melissa officinalis) oil heals wounds and has antiviral properties. It can eliminate the infection-causing virus and heal the sore quickly (11). You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Need To Do This Apply the oil 3 times a day. 8. Hydrogen PeroxideHydrogen peroxide can help in the inactivation of various virus strains (12). It can stop bleeding, dry the sore out, and shrink it. You Will Need
What You Have To Do Dab hydrogen peroxide on a piece of cotton and apply it to the sore. How Often You Need To Do This Reapply every 2 to 3 hours. 9. Garlic
Shutterstock Garlic extracts and compounds were shown to have a virucidal effect on herpes simplex virus type 1 (13). This is a simple home remedy to take care of the cold sore without having to shell out a lot of money. You Will Need A small garlic clove What You Have To Do
How Often You Need To Do This Apply this 2-3 times a day. 10. Witch HazelWitch hazel has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and astringent properties (14), (15). Hence, it may assist in healing cold sores and also reduce swelling and pain. Caution: Witch hazel can irritate sensitive skin, so do a patch test near your elbow before you use this remedy. You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Need To Do This Apply this 1-2 times a day. 11. VanillaPure vanilla extract contains 35% alcohol (16). It works in a manner similar to rubbing alcohol, which makes it difficult for the microbes to grow and thrive (17). You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Need To Do This Apply this extract 4-5 times a day. 12. Sea SaltSalt has antimicrobial and virus inactivation properties (18). This may help in treating cold sores. You Will Need A pinch of sea salt What You Have To Do
How Often You Need To Do This Repeat this 2-3 times a day. 13. EchinaceaEchinacea strengthens the body’s immune system and helps it fight the viral infection (19). You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Need To Do This Drink 2-3 cups of this herbal tea in a day. Note: Discontinue drinking the tea once the cold sore has healed. 14. Licorice RootLicorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which can inhibit the growth and replication of the virus (20),(21). Together with the petroleum jelly, it can speed up the healing process of the cold sore. You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Need To Do This Reapply every few hours. 15. PropolisPropolis is a resin-like material made by bees. It is used for reducing swelling and sores inside the mouth (oral mucositis) (22). It is rich in antioxidants and is known to have antiviral properties. It can help prevent the herpes simplex virus from multiplying (23). It is available in a 3% concentration in liquid and capsule forms, which can be purchased online or at your local pharmacy. 16. Eucalyptus Oil
Shutterstock Eucalyptus oil can kill the herpes simplex virus effectively and aid quicker healing of the cold sore (24). You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Need To Do This Repeat this every hour. 17. Aloe Vera GelThe antiviral properties of aloe vera and its soothing nature make it a potential remedy for treating cold sores (25). You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Need To Do This Do this 2-3 times daily. 18. Vitamin EThe anti-inflammatory nature of vitamin E can help in soothing the swelling, inflammation, and pain associated with the cold sores. Oral intake of the vitamin can further help prevent recurring viral infections (26), (27). You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Need To Do This Do this multiple times a day. 19. Milk
Shutterstock Milk has antiviral and antibacterial properties (28). It can help in not only clearing the infection but also in soothing your skin. You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Need To Do This Do this every two hours. 20. VaselineVaseline doesn’t necessarily heal a cold sore, but it may help prevent cracking and ease any discomfort caused by the sores (29). You Will Need Vaseline What You Have To Do Dab a small amount of Vaseline on your lips and let it sit for a while. How Often You Need To Do This Do this every 2-3 hours. In addition to trying out these remedies, you can consume foods rich in lysine, like dairy products, milk, soybeans, lentils, chickpeas, quinoa, chicken, seafood, egg, and poultry to aid healing cold sores. Avoid foods rich in arginine, like nuts, pumpkin seeds, chocolates, spirulina, oats, and wheat. CautionIf you are pregnant or have a chronic medical condition and are under a doctor’s supervision, consult your doctor before undertaking any kind of treatment. Note: Many of these remedies are applied to the cold sore directly. Do not try all the remedies at one go, or you may end up irritating or causing a burning sensation around the cold sore. Choose one or two remedies and assess if they are working before moving on to another one. Medical Treatments For Cold SoresIf your cold sore is extremely painful, your doctor might prescribe antiviral oral medication to speed up the healing. Consult a healthcare provider to see which of the following treatments might work for you. Prescription Medicines
Some of these products are available as pills, while others are creams that have to be applied to the sores several times a day. In general, the pills work better than creams. Alternative Medicines For Cold SoresConsult a healthcare provider before taking any of these supplements: 1. Lysine (Over-The-Counter Cream)Lysine is an amino acid available in the form of oral supplements or a cream. Although it is widely used to treat cold sores, there are insufficient studies to prove its efficacy in killing HSV. However, it can be used to help manage the symptoms of cold sores (34). 2. Rhubarb And Sage CreamThis herbal cream is as effective as topical Acyclovir cream for treating cold sores (35). The signs and symptoms of cold sores are as follows. Signs And Symptoms
Usually, during the first outbreak, individuals may experience other symptoms like:
Children under 5 years can also develop cold sores inside their mouths or nostrils. Many factors can play a significant role in triggering cold sores. The following section lists the causes and risk factors. Causes And Risk FactorsThe main causes of cold sores are some strains of the herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV-1 is commonly associated with the onset of cold sores, while HSV-2 causes genital herpes. Both can cause sores in the facial area as well as the genitals. Once you have had an episode of the herpes infection, the virus continues to remain dormant in your nerve cells (in your skin) and can recur in the same place over and over when you are under stress. Some common factors that can trigger a recurrence include:
Factors that may increase your risk of developing cold sores are:
These factors can increase your risk of developing cold sores, especially after a previous outbreak. Although cold sores can heal on their own, they may take up to four weeks to go away completely. Here are some first aid tips to aid faster recovery. How To Prevent Cold Sores
Note: Cold sores must not be left untreated for too long. If left unattended, they could lead to the following complications. The virus that triggers cold sores can also cause issues in the other parts of the body in a few individuals:
Cold sores are bacterial pus-filled blisters that usually develop on or around the lips. Though usually harmless, these can cause major discomfort and inconvenience while eating or drinking anything. While the home remedies mentioned above can help you get rid of cold sores safely, it is important to maintain basic hygiene to prevent its occurrence in the first place. Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do you make cold sores go away in 24 hours? Cold sores do not go away in 24 hours, but the itching, and pain associated with them can be relatively lessened by using home remedies or antiviral medications, including topical antiviral creams. These can also speed up the recovery process and help heal the sores fast. Do cold sores mean you have an STD? No, having cold sores does not necessarily mean that an individual has an STD as these sores are not typically sexually transmitted. Non-sexual physical contact can transmit the herpes simplex virus that affects the lips. Does toothpaste help cold sores? Yes, the presence of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in toothpastes can help improve the pain and blistering associated with cold sores and may also facilitate the healing process. SourcesArticles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Check out our editorial policy for further details.
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Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology,... more Dr. Bhakti Kapse is a General Practitioner with over 10 years of experience in family medicine. She obtained her Bachelor... more What's the fastest a cold sore can go away?Cold sores usually disappear on their own in 5–15 days. Antiviral medication may speed up the healing process by about 1 day . Healthcare professionals, including dermatologists, can prescribe oral or topical antiviral medications. If a person's cold sores do not respond, the doctor may recommend IV treatment.
How do you make cold sores go away in 24 hours?Unfortunately, you can't get rid of a cold sore in 24 hours, but you can shorten cold sore healing time and cut down the duration of painful cold sore symptoms. Just because there isn't a cure for cold sores, doesn't mean you have to suffer patiently until it clears up on its own.
What kills the cold sore virus?According to the American Academy of Dermatology, your doctor may prescribe one of two formats: A topical cream that you apply directly to sores, such as docosanol cream or acyclovir cream. An oral medication that you take by mouth, such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir.
Should you keep a cold sore moist or dry?Moisturize: Keep your lip and mouth area moisturized to prevent the sore from drying out and peeling, Dr. Beers says. But if you use lip balm on an active sore, consider it contaminated. “Once you've used it on a cold sore, you should throw it away after the sore is better,” Dr.
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