When it comes to researching cold sore remedies that work, there’s a lot of information out there online. I should know- I’ve spent years reading, cataloguing and testing people’s suggestions, from doctors to naturopaths to grandmas with home remedies they’ve developed over the years.
In general, cold sore remedies fall into three broad categories: prescription treatments, over the counter medications, and natural remedies. I’ll dive into each category of treatment and discuss which methods within each have been shown to work well, either for me or for many other people.
Cold Sore Prescription Medicines That Work
There are a couple of different options for prescription medications that can be used to treat cold sores. First up are topical medicines like Zovirax, which you can apply to the herpes outbreak to speed up the healing process and in some cases even prevent it from developing fully.
The other option is oral antiviral medicines like acyclovir, valacyclover or famciclovir. These can be taken either after an outbreak has occurred to try to speed up healing, or in the case of famciclovir, can be taken in between outbreaks to prevent them. Apparently famciclovir is especially effective if you get outbreaks quite frequently. If yours are infrequent, it might not be worth taking it all the time.
Personally speaking, I’ve used Zovirax for years and have always found it be very effective. If I can apply it as soon as I start to feel a cold sore coming on, it cuts days off the healing time, or sometimes can keep the sore from ever showing up or keep it to a small, relatively painless spot. The only downside to Zovirax is that it requires a prescription (at least in the USA). However, in addition to your doctor, your dentist can also prescribe it, and I’ve had dentists that are willing to prescribe it when I’ve mentioned it at a regular checkup or appointment.
Over the Counter Treatments That Work
The most popular over the counter (OTC) treatment for cold sores is Abreva, but there are several other options that have been around for quite a while and supposedly work pretty well. These are Campho-Phenique, Carmex, and Herpecin L.
Personally, I tried Abreva a couple of times when I had outbreaks and wasn’t impressed with the results. Compared to something like Zovirax, it didn’t seem to lessen the pain or “kill off” the cold sore and get to the part when it has scabbed over and is healing nicely. After a couple of tries I gave up on it, partially because it’s fairly expensive.
I’ve seen quite a few people online swear by putting Carmex, Campho-Phenique, or Herpecin L on their cold sores. From what I’ve seen it sounds like these are mostly good at alleviating some of the pain and burning, and keeping the sore from spreading much, but I haven’t seen much evidence that they speed up the healing process. However, dealing with the pain and keeping the sore a manageable size are both very beneficial things, so these treatments are worth trying.
One other interesting possibility that I haven’t tried myself but that a lot of people like is a styptic pencil. These are usually used to heal cuts when shaving, but the idea when using them on cold sores is that they’re designed to shrink blood vessels, and since these feed the cold sore itself, shrinking the vessels should cut off supply to the sore. Apparently applying it can be fairly painful, but many people swear that it works wonders.
Natural Cold Sore Remedies That Work
There are literally dozens of recommendations I’ve found for treating cold sores naturally, ranging from Lysine to vinegar to ear wax (yes, really). I won’t go into too much detail on these cures in this articles since I’ve already covered them in a different article about how to get rid of cold sores naturally, but a couple of the most promising natural treatments include rubbing a garlic clove gently on the sore, and eating licorice.
I cover both those cures in more detail in that article, but I wanted to mention an extremely helpful guide that can help you if you suffer from cold sores regularly. It’s called Cold Sore Free Forever, and what sets it apart from most of the natural cures I’ve run across is that it teaches you simple ways you can balance your body’s chemistry to keep cold sore outbreaks from happening at all, which is fantastic since you can never totally rid yourself of the virus.
If you’ve tried everything and still can’t get rid of your cold sores, I highly recommend checking it out. This guide has been a huge help to me, and I think it can be for you too. One great thing is that I’ve talked several times with the author, Derek Shepton, and got him to give my readers a $10 discount if they buy through my link! Believe me, getting this guide will be the investment you ever making in fighting your cold sores.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Fast Cold Sore Remedies: Natural Cures
There are many cold sore remedies existing nowadays. You will come across a wide array of brands in pharmacies everywhere. Scientiests have not yet discovered any kind of cold sore remedy in spite of all the studies that have been done; but the good news is, there are many ways that will effectively reduce the duration as well as the frequency of the eruptions. If you wish to get natural cold sore remedies, there are several that are very effective.
Tips for Preventing Cold Sores
Unfortunately, you cannot prevent an outbreak of cold sores but there are measures you can take to reduce the rate of recurrence of the symptoms and also the duration. The most probable causes of the cold sores include stress or even fever and cold. Because most individuals struggle with these eruptions at the same time as a fever cold sores are often also called fever blisters. If you want to buy fever blister treatment, you will ought to be searching for a cure for cold sores; the treatment is the same.
To be on the safe side, always remember to avoid kissing someone who has a cold sore. Steer clear of sharing shaving kit or other personal belongings. Steer clear from sharing cups anybody who has cold sore eruptions. These protective steps are helpful to stay free of the type one herpes virus that causes the sores. Cold sores can easily transferred from one person to another, so prevention is important.
Treatment of Cold Sores
Curing cold sores will typically include many different products that are as varied as a basic baking soda paste to grapefruite extract diluted with water. there are numerous remedies for cold sores easily available in stores today, including several natural cures you can often find in your own home.
The best way to get rid of cold sores is to help them dry out. Camphor seems to work at drying out a sore in a shorter time as compared to just about any treatment for cold sores. If there is pain, you should try rubbing the sore gently with ice for about 3 minutes to 8 minutes every hour. This seems to hinder the sore’s progression and ease the external symptoms including the pain, redness and swelling. Zinc has also been shown to shorten the healing time. Green tea with crushed ginger will also help lower the life span of the sore.
How To Deal With Cold Sores While Waiting For A Cure
Until such time that there is a treatment that will help prevent cold sores altogether, you will undoubtedly continue to be afflicted by cold sores. Every time you feel the well-known tingle of a cold sore coming on, get going with whichever cold sore remedy works effectively for you. It’s best to start before the cold sore occurs. Over the counter medications for cold sores are typically medicated cream or gel that soothes the redness as well as the burn that accompanies cold sores. Natural cold sore treatments are also effective. Keeping in mind, prevention is the best medicine; try to avoid the triggers that will probably bring on another incidence.
Tips for Preventing Cold Sores
Unfortunately, you cannot prevent an outbreak of cold sores but there are measures you can take to reduce the rate of recurrence of the symptoms and also the duration. The most probable causes of the cold sores include stress or even fever and cold. Because most individuals struggle with these eruptions at the same time as a fever cold sores are often also called fever blisters. If you want to buy fever blister treatment, you will ought to be searching for a cure for cold sores; the treatment is the same.
To be on the safe side, always remember to avoid kissing someone who has a cold sore. Steer clear of sharing shaving kit or other personal belongings. Steer clear from sharing cups anybody who has cold sore eruptions. These protective steps are helpful to stay free of the type one herpes virus that causes the sores. Cold sores can easily transferred from one person to another, so prevention is important.
Treatment of Cold Sores
Curing cold sores will typically include many different products that are as varied as a basic baking soda paste to grapefruite extract diluted with water. there are numerous remedies for cold sores easily available in stores today, including several natural cures you can often find in your own home.
The best way to get rid of cold sores is to help them dry out. Camphor seems to work at drying out a sore in a shorter time as compared to just about any treatment for cold sores. If there is pain, you should try rubbing the sore gently with ice for about 3 minutes to 8 minutes every hour. This seems to hinder the sore’s progression and ease the external symptoms including the pain, redness and swelling. Zinc has also been shown to shorten the healing time. Green tea with crushed ginger will also help lower the life span of the sore.
How To Deal With Cold Sores While Waiting For A Cure
Until such time that there is a treatment that will help prevent cold sores altogether, you will undoubtedly continue to be afflicted by cold sores. Every time you feel the well-known tingle of a cold sore coming on, get going with whichever cold sore remedy works effectively for you. It’s best to start before the cold sore occurs. Over the counter medications for cold sores are typically medicated cream or gel that soothes the redness as well as the burn that accompanies cold sores. Natural cold sore treatments are also effective. Keeping in mind, prevention is the best medicine; try to avoid the triggers that will probably bring on another incidence.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Cold Sore Remedies
What are Cold Sores?
Cold sores are small, painful, fluid-filled blisters that usually occur on the lips, gums, or roof of the mouth. They're caused by the herpes simplex virus and are contagious. There may be pain or tingling one to two days before the cold sores appear.
Cold sores generally clear in seven to ten days. They're sometimes confused with canker sores, which are not contagious but produce small, painful ulcers in the soft tissues of the mouth, such as the tongue and the walls of the mouth.
Natural Cold Sore Remedies
Here are eight natural remedies that are used for the treatment of cold sores.
Lysine
Lysine is an essential amino acid, meaning that we must get it through food or supplements because the body can't make it on its own. It's used to make protein, which we need to produce infection-fighting antibodies, enzymes, hormones, and body tissues. Lysine has been found to inhibit the spread of the herpes simplex virus.
Although we get lysine through food sources such as red meat, milk, eggs, cheese, wheat germ, brewers yeast, and fish, what appears to be most important is the ratio of lysine to another amino acid, arginine. They compete with each other for absorption in the intestines, so the less arginine there is in the diet, the more lysine is absorbed. Foods that are rich in arginine include chocolate, peanuts, and almonds.
In addition to these temporary dietary changes:
* Lysine supplements (e.g. 1,000 mg taken three times a day) may help to shorten the duration of cold sores.
* Lysine ointment - a pilot study by the Southern California University looked at the effectiveness of a lysine-containing ointment in 30 people. Researchers found that the ointment produced full resolution in 40% of participants by the third day and in 87 percent by the end of the sixth day. No adverse effects were reported.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has antiviral properties. In a research study conducted in hospitals and dermatology clinics in Germany, lemon balm cream promoted the healing of blisters in five days compared to 10 days in the control group. Used on regularly, lemon balm cream may decrease the frequency of recurrences.
Reishi and Astragalus
Reishi, also called Ganoderma lucidum is a type of mushroom that has a long history of use in traditional Asian medicine to strengthen the immune system.
Preliminary evidence shows that reishi may inhibit the spread of the herpes virus. A typical dose is 600 milligrams once or twice a day.
Reishi is available in powder or supplement form. Reishi can delay blood clotting, so consult your doctor before taking reishi if you are taking aspirin, warfarin (coumadin), or any other medications or supplements that interfere with clotting.
In traditional Chinese medicine, reishi is often used in conjunction with a herb called astragalus. Astragalus has been found to improve immune function in people with herpes simplex keratitis.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol, a compound found naturally in red grapes, has been shown to be active against the herpes simplex virus in laboratory studies.
A study by the Northeastern Ohio University demonstrated that resveratrol cream applied topically two, three, or five times a day effectively suppressed cold sore development if it was applied one or 6 hours after infection with the herpes virus.
Resveratrol cream was also found to be as effective as 5% acyclovir ointment (Zovirax). Resveratrol cream also effectively suppressed cold sore formation in animals with herpes simplex infection that was resistant to acyclovir. No side effects were reported.
Peppermint Oil
A study by the University of Heidelberg found that peppermint essential oil was found to penetrate the skin and have a direct virucidal effect againt the herpes simplex virus. Peppermint oil was also found to be active against an acyclovir-resistant strain of the herpes simpex virus.
Although it's promising, peppermint oil shouldn't be used until studies have established its safety. Peppermint oil is absorbed through the skin so even small amounts could be toxic. Peppermint oil should never be ingested.
Propolis
Propolis, also called bee propolis, is a brownish, resinous substance. Bees collect it from poplar and conifer buds and use it "cement" their hives and keep them germ-free. It is sold in health food stores.
A study found that propolis was active against herpes simplex 1 virus. It is believed to work by preventing the virus from entering body cells and by blocking the replication and spread of the virus. For more information about propolis, read the Propolis Fact Sheet.
Self-Heal
The herb self-heal, also known as Prunella vulgaris is a perennial plant commonly found in China and Europe.
Extracts of this herb have been found to be effective against both herpes simplex 1 and 2 viruses. It is also believed to work against acyclovir-resistant strains of the herpes virus.
8) Other Remedies
* Echinacea - A study by the University of Ottawa found that echinacea is active against herpes simplex type 1.
* Black currant - An extract of black currant, also known as Ribes nigrum or Kurokarin in Japan, was found to fight the herpes virus in laboratory studies.
* Rhubarb and sage cream - A German study examined rhubarb-sage cream compared to sage cream and Zovirax in 149 people with oral herpes cold sores. The combined topical sage-rhubarb preparation proved to be as effective as topical aciclovir cream and tended to be more active than the sage cream.
* Undaria pinnatifida - known as wakame in Japan, undaria is a type of seaweed that has been found to improve the healing time and reactivation of herpes infections.
Safety Precautions
People with tuberculosis, leukemia, diabetes, connective tissue disorders, multiple sclerosis, HIV or AIDS, any autoimmune diseases, organ transplant, or possibly, liver disorders should not take herbs or supplements that improve immune function (such as reishi and astragalus) without consulting their doctor first. Taking immune-boosting supplements may reduce the effectiveness of medications that suppress the immune system.
Cold sores are small, painful, fluid-filled blisters that usually occur on the lips, gums, or roof of the mouth. They're caused by the herpes simplex virus and are contagious. There may be pain or tingling one to two days before the cold sores appear.
Cold sores generally clear in seven to ten days. They're sometimes confused with canker sores, which are not contagious but produce small, painful ulcers in the soft tissues of the mouth, such as the tongue and the walls of the mouth.
Natural Cold Sore Remedies
Here are eight natural remedies that are used for the treatment of cold sores.
Lysine
Lysine is an essential amino acid, meaning that we must get it through food or supplements because the body can't make it on its own. It's used to make protein, which we need to produce infection-fighting antibodies, enzymes, hormones, and body tissues. Lysine has been found to inhibit the spread of the herpes simplex virus.
Although we get lysine through food sources such as red meat, milk, eggs, cheese, wheat germ, brewers yeast, and fish, what appears to be most important is the ratio of lysine to another amino acid, arginine. They compete with each other for absorption in the intestines, so the less arginine there is in the diet, the more lysine is absorbed. Foods that are rich in arginine include chocolate, peanuts, and almonds.
In addition to these temporary dietary changes:
* Lysine supplements (e.g. 1,000 mg taken three times a day) may help to shorten the duration of cold sores.
* Lysine ointment - a pilot study by the Southern California University looked at the effectiveness of a lysine-containing ointment in 30 people. Researchers found that the ointment produced full resolution in 40% of participants by the third day and in 87 percent by the end of the sixth day. No adverse effects were reported.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has antiviral properties. In a research study conducted in hospitals and dermatology clinics in Germany, lemon balm cream promoted the healing of blisters in five days compared to 10 days in the control group. Used on regularly, lemon balm cream may decrease the frequency of recurrences.
Reishi and Astragalus
Reishi, also called Ganoderma lucidum is a type of mushroom that has a long history of use in traditional Asian medicine to strengthen the immune system.
Preliminary evidence shows that reishi may inhibit the spread of the herpes virus. A typical dose is 600 milligrams once or twice a day.
Reishi is available in powder or supplement form. Reishi can delay blood clotting, so consult your doctor before taking reishi if you are taking aspirin, warfarin (coumadin), or any other medications or supplements that interfere with clotting.
In traditional Chinese medicine, reishi is often used in conjunction with a herb called astragalus. Astragalus has been found to improve immune function in people with herpes simplex keratitis.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol, a compound found naturally in red grapes, has been shown to be active against the herpes simplex virus in laboratory studies.
A study by the Northeastern Ohio University demonstrated that resveratrol cream applied topically two, three, or five times a day effectively suppressed cold sore development if it was applied one or 6 hours after infection with the herpes virus.
Resveratrol cream was also found to be as effective as 5% acyclovir ointment (Zovirax). Resveratrol cream also effectively suppressed cold sore formation in animals with herpes simplex infection that was resistant to acyclovir. No side effects were reported.
Peppermint Oil
A study by the University of Heidelberg found that peppermint essential oil was found to penetrate the skin and have a direct virucidal effect againt the herpes simplex virus. Peppermint oil was also found to be active against an acyclovir-resistant strain of the herpes simpex virus.
Although it's promising, peppermint oil shouldn't be used until studies have established its safety. Peppermint oil is absorbed through the skin so even small amounts could be toxic. Peppermint oil should never be ingested.
Propolis
Propolis, also called bee propolis, is a brownish, resinous substance. Bees collect it from poplar and conifer buds and use it "cement" their hives and keep them germ-free. It is sold in health food stores.
A study found that propolis was active against herpes simplex 1 virus. It is believed to work by preventing the virus from entering body cells and by blocking the replication and spread of the virus. For more information about propolis, read the Propolis Fact Sheet.
Self-Heal
The herb self-heal, also known as Prunella vulgaris is a perennial plant commonly found in China and Europe.
Extracts of this herb have been found to be effective against both herpes simplex 1 and 2 viruses. It is also believed to work against acyclovir-resistant strains of the herpes virus.
8) Other Remedies
* Echinacea - A study by the University of Ottawa found that echinacea is active against herpes simplex type 1.
* Black currant - An extract of black currant, also known as Ribes nigrum or Kurokarin in Japan, was found to fight the herpes virus in laboratory studies.
* Rhubarb and sage cream - A German study examined rhubarb-sage cream compared to sage cream and Zovirax in 149 people with oral herpes cold sores. The combined topical sage-rhubarb preparation proved to be as effective as topical aciclovir cream and tended to be more active than the sage cream.
* Undaria pinnatifida - known as wakame in Japan, undaria is a type of seaweed that has been found to improve the healing time and reactivation of herpes infections.
Safety Precautions
People with tuberculosis, leukemia, diabetes, connective tissue disorders, multiple sclerosis, HIV or AIDS, any autoimmune diseases, organ transplant, or possibly, liver disorders should not take herbs or supplements that improve immune function (such as reishi and astragalus) without consulting their doctor first. Taking immune-boosting supplements may reduce the effectiveness of medications that suppress the immune system.
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