Some people might experience this problem only a few times a year, while others suffer from this issue more frequently. Canker sores are often mistaken for cold sores because of their similar appearance, but they are in fact very different.

Canker sores always show up inside of the mouth. Cold sores, on the other hand, appear on the outside of the mouth most of the time, although they can occur inside of the mouth.

Signs & Causes of Cold Sores

Signs

Cold sores in the mouth often can be found on the gums and the roof of the mouth. Some people have been know to feel a tingling sensation on their lips before a cold sore appears. This is known as a prodrome. As a cold sore begins to form, the area will reddened as the small blister begins to appear.

Causes

Cold sores can be brought on by:

• High levels of continuous stress
• Fevers
• Changes in the immune system
• Hormonal changes
• Too much exposure to the sun

Cold sores are in fact contagious. Kissing, drinking after someone with a cold sore, or other body contact can spread the cold sore infection.

Available Cold Sore Remedies

Lysine for cold sores & Abreva

Lysine is one of the most popular cold sore remedies. Lysine is a very popular over the counter treatment that can be taken as a cold sore is felt coming on. It is said to greatly decrease the amount of time that a cold sore sticks around. Lysine is an amino acid that is essential for good health.

Our body does not produce or create this acid, so it must be taken in supplement form or through a healthy diet. While Lysine has been proven to help with lowering the amount of outbreaks and shortening the time a cold sore last, there are a few side effects users should be aware of.

Lysine Side Effects
When taking lysine supplements users can expect higher levels of triglycerides in the blood as well as higher cholesterol levels as well.

Taking too much lysine can cause:

• Muscle cramps
• Diarrhea
• Nausea

Lysine for Children
Lysine is completely safe for children of all ages. When used properly, this supplement can be very beneficial and is completely safe. Lysine is often used with Abreva as one of the best cold sore remedies. Abreva is a topical cream that can directly be applied to the cold sore to provide instantly relief.

This product also shortens the length of time a cold sore lingers. Only children over the age of twelve should use Abreva. Some people have experienced rashes and swelling of the mouth area, but these are several cases that were rare.

Other Cold Sore Remedies

Rub ice on the affected area Cold sores are painful. Ice has natural pain relieving properties that can help alleviate the pain of the affected area. Rub the ice cube in circular manner instead of using a back and forth motion to avoid scratching the area. Do this for a few minutes each hour until the pain is tolerable. Resume doing this once the pain is too strong to bear. Personally this is one of my favorite cold sore remedies.

Use the healing properties of tea. Tea, regardless of any kind, has healing properties that’s been recognized in Chinese medicines for thousands of centuries. However, it’s commonly taken orally as a beverage. But it can also be used as a topical cure for many skin related diseases including cold sores. You can dip a tea bag in warm water and then pull it out. Let the excess water drip in the cup before putting the wet tea bag in your blisters. Leave this on for about five minutes. Repeat the procedure every hour.

Apply cold milk in the affected area. This is perhaps the most commonly available cure for cold sores since there’s guaranteed to be at least one bottle of milk in every refrigerator. Doctors believe that cold milk can also hasten the healing process of cold sores. Dip a part of a cotton ball or a cotton bud in cold milk and then gently apply it to your blister. The cold will ease the pain almost immediately while the nutrients contained in milk will help cure the blister faster.

Cover your blisters with bits of raw onion. One of the stranger cold sore remedies, the Chinese, East Indians, Egyptians and ancient Romans have long ago discovered the anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties of onion. The same properties can help reduce the inflammation of a cold sore and kill any bacteria in the area. Just cut an onion into small pieces and use it to cover your blisters. It’s best done when you are in a reclined position or lying down.

The last of the cold sore remedies, Rinse your mouth with plum juice. This sometimes sweet, sometimes tart fruit is eaten raw or in jams. But for the treatment of cold sores that has spread inside your mouth, you will use the fresh juice of a plum fruit to rinse your mouth. You can also use this juice as a topical treatment for the blisters. Use a ball of cotton or a Q tip to apply the plum juice in the affected area.

Prevention

When it comes to cold sores, prevention is the best treatment and is the only way to keep cold sores at bay. For those who suffer from cold sores often, there are a few things that you can do to prevent cold sores from occurring. One of the most obvious ways to prevent cold sores is to avoid the possible triggers.

Boost your immune system by consuming Vitamin C or garlic supplements. Another common sense way to prevent and avoid cold sores is to wash your hands as much as possible and avoid drinking or eating after other people.

Applying lotion to your lips or lip balm that includes any form of SPF sunscreen can also help people to avoid cold sores.

For those who suffer from high levels of stress, zinc lozenges can be helpful in boosting your immune system. Maintaining a healthy diet is also important in the prevention of cold sores. Your immune system cannot fight off health issues like cold sores without the right jump start.

Conclusion

These little blisters can cause a lot of physical pain, social stigma, and are just down right unsightly. Cold sores can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable issue that can be avoided and treated. While there is not currently a cure for cold sores or for the virus that causes it, treatment and prevention are the only things that can help with the symptoms.

Just about everyone has suffered from a cold sore, but what treatments work for some might not work for others. If you have a cold sore that last longer than one to two weeks without signs of improvement, you should make an appointment with your doctor right away.

Sources

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/coldsores1.shtml#cold_sore_treatments

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/home-remedies-for-cold-sores.htm

http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/supplements/a/ColdSores.htm

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