How to Get Rid of that Cold Sore, Naturally

So you’ve got a cold sore. It’s uncomfortable, it’s itchy and you swear it’s getting bigger by the second. You tried your best to prevent it, but there was no stopping that pesky herpes simplex virus from forming a big “look at me” arrow on your face.Now, you just want it to go away.

If untreated, cold sores can last for up to two weeks. And anyone who’s suffered from cold sores can testify that those two weeks can feel like two years. But fear not, there are natural remedies to help nip those sores in the bud!

First, eat lysine-rich foods, take a lysine supplement or use a lysine ointment. Lysine helps to make protein, which is used to produce infection-fighting antibodies, enzymes and more. According to an article by Cathy Wong of About.com, lysine has been proven to stop the spread of the herpes virus.Try including lean meats and dairy products into your diet. While doing this, be sure to eat less foods containingarginine, like chocolate and almonds, so even more lysine can be absorbed into your system. In addition, try taking a lysine supplement of 1,000 mg three times a day to reduce the cold sore’s duration. Alternately, try a lysine ointment. Southern California University found in a study that in three day’s time, cold sores in 40 percent of participants went away. By day six, 87 percent of participants no longer had signs of cold sores.

Another natural remedy is propolis. This brown substance is actually used by bees to keep their hives free from germs. Studies have found propolis to be effective in reducing the replication and spread of the herpes simplex virus. You can find a bottle of this in your local health food store.

You should also ice it. According to WikiHow, icing the cold sore when it first appears can help limit the cold sore’s duration. The herpes virus requires a warm environment, so keeping it cold can stop the sore from getting bigger. Also, the ice can help reduce redness.

According to Discover Fit and Health, applying some petroleum jelly can also help the healing process while preventing infection. And ladies, as strong as the urge may be, don’t put makeup on the sore to cover it up. Some chemicals found in makeups can actually exacerbate the problem.

Remember, the virus is very contagious, so don’t kiss or even share drinks with others. Also, it’s a good idea to change your toothbrush after the sore forms and again when it has subsided. This will help prevent any remnants of the virus left on the toothbrush from attacking again.

Source:
http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-cold-sores.htm
http://www.wikihow.com/Heal-a-Cold-Sore-Naturally
http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/supplements/a/ColdSores.htm

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.