7 Cost-effective Remedies for Cold Sores
7 Cost-effective Remedies for Cold Sores
A pocket of fluids under the skin close on the lips or close to the mouth – this is a simple description of herpes blisters. These fluid-filled spots can open up, release some secretions, and crust over. Affected individuals may experience this for one or two weeks. However, you might find the two weeks quite frustrating and painful if you don’t apply the necessary remedies as soon as possible. If you are dealing with cold sores symptoms, you don’t need to fret. It’s a common health condition as about 70% of adults are infected globally. The virus responsible is just inactive in most people, while some repeatedly deal with cold sore outbreaks.
For those who are learning about cold sore for the first time, it’s an infection due to the activities of herpes simplex virus 1 in your body. After getting infected through contact or any other common means, the virus will stay inactive in your body until the immune system is “busy” or “overstressed.” At this point, the herpes cold sores become active, and a breakout may occur. The first breakout is often accompanied by sore throat, pains, headache, body aches, etc.
Triggering Factors
After the first cold sores breakout, the virus goes back to an inactive state in the nerve cells. This means that it could be triggered again by factors such as stress, fevers, illness, sun exposure, or hormonal fluctuations. Hence, it’s not uncommon to see individuals experiencing several bouts within a year. However, the good news is that cold sore symptoms can be remedied. Generally, antiviral medications prove to be the most effective method for preventing and treating cold sores; the following are also cost-effective remedies for cold sores, thus providing inexpensive and quick solutions.
1- Lemon Balm
Otherwise known as Melissa officinalis, Lemon Balm contains antiviral properties that can alleviate the swelling and redness that often accompany cold sore blisters. More so, it helps protect against future reoccurrence. Any lip balm containing a minimum of 1% lemon balm should do the job. Alternatively, you can make a lemon balm infusion (tea) for a similar solution.
2- Ice
Take note that applying ice doesn’t eliminate the virus nor reduce the longevity of the symptoms. However, it helps ease the discomfort and inflammation caused by the cold sores. Simply get a pack of ice and apply topically on the sore for quick relief.
3- Sunscreen
Aside from protecting the lips during the process of healing the cold sores, using sunscreen helps lower the possibility of future outbreaks when used daily on the lips. Consider using SPF 30 and use it whenever you are going out in the sun.
4- Aloe vera
Here is a common houseplant that you probably have around already. Although there are only a few studies on cold sores and Aloe Vera, the anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects of the plant have been reported to have inhibitory effects on the virus.
5- Stress reduction
As briefly stated earlier, a high level of stress can give herpes cold sores a chance of breaking out from their inactive state. For this reason, it’s important to reduce your stress level to prevent cold sores. Consider regular exercise, meditation, and reduced workload per day.
6- Over-the-counter antiviral medications
To speed up the healing process of cold sores, it’s recommended to use medications containing benzyl alcohol or docosanol. Also, cream or oral supplement that contains lysine is also useful for reducing the period of cold sores outbreak.
7- Ibuprofen or acetaminophen
If you are experiencing considerable pain due to a cold sore outbreak, consider using any of the two medications.
Recommendable prescription for treatment – important note
First off, you should know that cold sores naturally heal. Within some days, the healing process should be complete. However, you can speed up the healing period by using some prescriptions, including acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and penciclovir (Denavir). Always, a certified medical expert should prescribe any of these options for you. Nevertheless, it’s still advisable to check in with them. If you often experience a cold sore outbreak around the year, you may consider taking oral antiviral medications throughout the year to prevent any outbreak.
Cost-effective Remedies for Cold Sores: a Conclusion
With studies and findings, more treatment for cold sores is likely to come out in the future. However, the current medications and remedies are reliable enough to keep the virus inactive and ensure your face is kept looking nice around the year. A simple tip to keep in mind is reducing your stress, eating good food, and staying healthy.
