Cold Sore Causes and Treatment
Cold sores can be a real pain in the鈥 lip. Learn what causes cold sores and get a few cold sore treatments to help you get rid of them as quickly as possible!
What are Cold Sores?
First of all, if you have a cold sore, you are not alone. Cold sores are VERY common.
In 2015, the World Health Organization estimating that two-thirds of people under age 50鈥攁pproximately 3.7 billion of us鈥攁re infected with something called 鈥渉erpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV鈥1).鈥
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In other words: If you鈥檝e got a cold sore, you have HSV-1, but the rest of us probably have HSV-1, too!
Don鈥檛 worry. It鈥檚 not what you think when you hear the word, 鈥渉erpes.鈥 The 鈥HSV-1鈥 is the virus that causes cold sores, sometimes called fever blisters. (The closely related herpes simplex鈥2 [HSV鈥2] is the main cause of genital herpes, not HSV-1.)
Symptoms of Cold Sores
Do you know the symptoms of a cold sore? An outbreak usually begins with a tingle, pinch, or itch on the lip, the edge of the mouth, or around the nose.
The site soon erupts with small, somewhat painful blisters that are about as unattractive as a blemish. Typically, the sores weep a bit, then dry up before disappearing within a couple of weeks. (In very rare instances, HSV-1 can infect the eye, which requires immediate medical attention.)
Photo Credit: Harvard Health Publications/Harvard University
By the way, don鈥檛 confuse a cold sore with canker sores or angular cheilitis, a painful crack at the corner of the mouth. Both of those are non-contagious. Find out about canker sore treatment.
Cold sores are not only common, but also highly contagious.
What Causes Cold Sores?
People usually contract HSV鈥1 through small cuts in their skin as a result of contact with the cold sore fluid of an infected person鈥攕uch as by kissing or sharing personal items (e.g., towels, razors, makeup, eating utensils, toothbrush), even shaking hands. However, it can also be acquired when the carrier has no symptoms.
Some people suffer recurrent infections: After the initial manifestation, the virus lies latent in nerves and may re-emerge in times of stress or in response to, for example, dental surgery, hormonal changes, medications, and even allergies.
How to Avoid Getting or Spreading Cold Sores
- Avoid direct skin contact (including sexual) with people who have visible blisters.
- Don鈥檛 shake hands, either.
- Don鈥檛 share eating utensils, toothbrushes, towels, makeup (ever).
- Wash your hands often, especially before touching a baby, a frail elder, or a sick person.
- Wash your hands carefully (always) before handling food, dinnerware, or serving utensils.
- To prevent spreading the virus to another part of your body, wash thoroughly if your hands have come in contact with your cold sore.
Photo Credit: Stockbyte/Thinkstock
Getting Rid of Cold Sores: Home Remedies
There is no cure for cold sores, at least not one that medical research has discovered.
However, a host of medicine for cold sores and natural remedies for cold sores may alleviate symptoms and also shorten the duration of an outbreak or lessen recurrences of the virus.
Here are a few:
- Monolaurin, long an ingredient in foods and body-care products, is a natural constituent of coconut oil and so deemed safe. As a supplement, it can be helpful for preventing frequent outbreaks; work with your physician to develop the proper dosing strategy and monitor your progress while you take it.
- Stress reduction/management such as regular exercise, getting out into natural settings, and meditation may help keep cold sores at bay.
- An ice pack applied directly to the lesions may lessen pain. Learn more about when to use ice packs for pain.
- Zinc oxide ointment applied topically at the first sensations of an impending outbreak may shorten its duration and lessen the symptoms.
- Salve or lip balm containing at least 1 percent lemon balm may provide symptomatic relief.
- Sunscreen applied liberally to the face and around and on lips before going outside may help. (Sunlight seems to activate HSV-1 in some people.)
- Research shows that topical application aloe vera gel may alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of genital herpes lesions. Learn more about the uses of aloe vera.
Cold sores can be frustrating, but hopefully these natural cold sore remedies will help you to get rid of them. Do you have any trusty cold sore remedies? Let us know below!
Margaret Boyles
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From my experience you're right on. I, like others here, will take capsules, but the salve I get from a vitamin outlet works wonders. The one I use comes in a small container, I carry it with me, and apply it several times a day. Without using L-Lysine I'm in for 10 days of misery; with the use of L-Lysine I can cut that to 1 - 5 days, all depending on how soon I begin treatment after first noticing an outbreak (sometimes I'm kinda thick, and I don't get right on it). Even with a 5-day outbreak I don't suffer as severely when using an L-Lysine salve.
L-lysine capsules also help tremendously. I take 2 capsules 3x a day when I feel the tell tale tingle. Most times, if caught soon enough, it begins healing before the blisters break out.
I have found that if I use colloidal silver as soon as I feel it coming on it will stop it or have it gone in a couple of days. I simply soak a tissue in colloidal silver and hold it on the break out area for a few minutes. ( I make my own colloidal also)
My cold sores are usually caused by sunlight. First week outside in the sun and they are out. I have had them under my nose, on the side of my nose and up above the lip. I have to be careful because these are the ones that can scar your face if they have a deep scab. I had to go to the doctor for a prescription for Zovirax cream. It usually takes them away in a matter of days. But a small tube of this medicine is $600.00 dollars. I saw how much the pharmacy charged my insurance for it, but it lasts for 2 years. I tried the Abreva and it did nothing. And that was very expensive also.
Sun;;ight can increase Cold Sores in some people; I was wondering if you consume Dairy Products; do you "squint in the Sun when you go outside";
The way Dairy Products protect against Cold Sores is because Milk contains Vitamin B2 Riboflavin; I knew a young man taking many medicines; he was getting cold sores; he began drinking milk; the cold sores were gone in a week; Riboflavin B2 can be bought as a supplement; Milk has other Vitamins; Yogurt is very good at helping Cold Sores; consumed and dabbed on lips(plain yogurt only; like Stonyfield); I would try sunscreen before going in the Sun.
Comment: Chicken Eggs + Milk contain Lysine; when one goes outside one's Riboflavin B2 is depleted by Sunlight; this is the reason "Hood Dairy companies" keep their Milk in sunlight proof containers to protect the valuable Riboflavin Vitamin B2:; ALL NUT MILKS HAVE VIT. B2;
Scientists are not clear as to why Vitamin B2 protects against "Cold Sores and Herpes"; they know how Sunlight affects B2 Levels; I like to recommend Food: these foods have B2; "Dairy; Eggs; Almond Milk; Cashew Milk; Hazelnut Milk; Soy Milk; Hemp Milk; the list goes on"; AR'51;
"Zinc Oxide Ointment is effective at preventing Cold Sores; Herpes: apply on the cold sores:(this is what The Lifeguards use on their nose); most Sunscreens have a Zinc Oxide Base(a naturally occurring element); Zinc reflects the Sun naturally; (I do not recommend Zinc Supplements)"; A.R.'51/Conn.
I have always used Bag Balm with sucess, especially if I catch it early.
My mother always used "Camphor Spirit" applied directly on the sore. 60 years later it still works for me. It can be hard to find, not all drug stores carry it, but you could ask the Pharmacist for help.
I never leave home without Abreva. As soon as you feel a tingle apply it. A small tube lasts a very long time. I swear by this product. I also apply ice on top of it if it鈥檚 starting to get red and peak. Usually, I鈥檓 able to subdue it and it goes away! No outbreak. To prevent further outbreaks always wear lip balm with sunscreen SPF 15 or higher. Throw away lipsticks and toothbrushes that are contaminated. Avoid stress as much as possible. Also avoid food and drinks high in arginine (peanuts, cola, wheat, chocolate, peas, strawberries, walnuts, beer, some alcohols. -these are my triggers). I still eat or drink them once in a while but very little. Happy to say I haven鈥檛 had an outbreak in a few years! Thank goodness.
