Finding a Natural Cold Sore Treatment

Cold sores can pop up at the worst times. Whether you have a big business meeting or that first date, you never know when you’ll wake up to what looks like a blister, or even a cluster of blisters, on your lips. First, you should figure out if you have a cold sore or a canker sore. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 and is spread by infected saliva, normally during childhood. Doctors believe the virus is dormant in some nerve cells until it is activated by anxiety, stress, illness, or excess sun exposure. The blisters will usually form on the outside of your lips or near your mouth or nose, lasting from 7 to 14 days. Canker sores, on the other hand, are bacterial and appear as small, white, round areas surrounded by a red circle, and are not contagious. They may appear on the outside of the mouth, but are more often found inside the mouth. Once you know which kind of sore you are experiencing, you can go about treating it. For many, this involves searching for a natural cold sore treatment.

In terms of finding a natural cold sore treatment, petroleum jelly can help speed the healing of a cold sore, as well as protect it from a secondary bacterial infection. You may also want to try applying benzocaine to help numb the pain. Avoid trying to cover the cold sore with makeup when you are applying any natural cold sore treatment, as the chemicals may make the sore worse. Since the virus is spread by a touch, be sure not to share your lipstick or makeup! You may also want to change your toothbrush after your cold sore attack has cleared up, since your toothbrush can hold the virus and cause additional outbreaks.

Another natural cold sore treatment is to protect your lips from the sun, along with the rest of your face. Look for sunscreen and lip balms that contain an SPF of 15 or above. Many lipsticks also contain sunscreen, as we learn more about the damage sun exposure can cause to the skin.

Sometimes a natural cold sore treatment is what you don’t do! Be sure not to touch or pick at the cold sore, as this can cause a bacterial infection. Since they are contagious, do not share cups, towels, or other items that you have used to touch your own skin. Washing your hands can lessen the number of outbreaks and shorten the time of your outbreak. If you accidentally scratch the cold sore, a hand sanitizer used on the sore will keep the virus from spreading. Also, be sure not to touch your eyes or genitals after touching the cold sore, as the virus can be spread to these areas.

Finding out what triggers your cold sores can help you avoid an outbreak and could also give you an indication of the best natural cold sore treatment for you. For some people, it can be caused by stress, illness, fevers, fatigue, and changes to the immune system. Others find that trauma, food allergies, or even menstruation can cause an outbreak of cold sores. Believe it or not, dental work causes some people to break out! If any of these are causing your issues, your natural cold sore treatment can be as simple as getting more exercise, meditating, reading, or yoga. You may also want to avoid foods that contain a lot of acid or salts, including citrus fruits, because they can irritate the cold sores or make them more painful.

Finding a natural cold sore treatment can be inexpensive, and it will probably fit right into your daily routine. Talk to your doctor about more natural cold sore treatment options.