Best Treatments for Cold Sores On Lips
“How To Stop the Embarrassment of Cold Sores”
When clients asked me how to treat cold sores on lips or their mouth, they just wanted a permanent solution to this embarrassing problem. The pus-filled, red blisters were painful and unsightly – causing many to feel physical and emotional discomfort. The good news is there are cold sore remedies that can help you get rid of cold sores fast and keep them from coming back.
The first and most important aspect of any cold sore treatment is education. I’d like to explain what causes cold sores, ways you can decrease the severity and frequency of sores on lips and natural treatments for cold sores, which provide relief while addressing the underlying cause of the problem.
What Causes Cold Sores?
Cold sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex 1 (HSV-1)– a contagious virus that can be easily passed from person- to-person. If you’re like me, you’re probably surprised to know that a cold sore is really herpes on the lip. Herpes is not just a sexually transmitted disease; in fact, a strain of Herpes causes the Chicken Pox.
HSV-1 is a common form of Herpes; in fact, it is so easily transferable that doctors estimate up to 80% of the population could be infected. Some people who have the HSV-1 virus never experience colds sores on lips, while others may have them on a regular basis.
How Does HSV-1 Spread?
HSV-1 lives in the nerve cells and can be spread by using the same towel, eating utensil, drinking glass, razor or toothbrush as well as kissing someone who has a cold sore on the lip.
You are most at risk for giving the virus to someone else when you have cold sores on lips or around your mouth; you have a higher chance of getting the virus if you have small abrasions on your skin – tiny openings that can come from skin conditions such as eczema or tiny cuts from shaving.
Disorders of the immune system such as AIDS, organ transplant and cancer increase your possibility of catching HSV-1 as well as the probability you will experience herpes on the lip if you already have these conditions.
What are Cold Sores on Lips?
Cold sores are easy to identify, but are sometimes confused with other conditions. Before you take a cold sore remedy, make sure you don’t have a condition that looks similar to cold sores on lips; conditions that also appear in or around the mouth, look red and blistery, burn and itch include:
- Abrasions
- Pimples
- Razor Burn
- Angular Stomatitis
- Canker Sores
Canker sores have the most similarities, even clearing up in approximately two weeks; however, the easiest way to rule out a canker sore is location – cankers only form on the inside of your mouth.
Blisters can form on the outside of the mouth and on or below the nose, although cold sores on lips are most common. You may also experience sore throat, headache, swollen glands or a fever – this is why our parents and grandparents often call cold sores on lips “fever blisters.”
Treatments for cold sores are most effective if taken at the first signs of a cold sore on the lip. Many people report tingling or itching at the site days before blisters become visible. The life of a cold sores on the lip occurs in phases: the blister bursts, crusts over and forms a scab; it then falls off, leaving way for a new smaller scab to form; this continues until the sore is healed.
Treatment For Cold Sores On Lips
You can address cold sores on lips in a few ways:
- Leave it – some people let a cold sore on the lip runs its course
- Prevention – proactive measures to lessen and prevent the formation of sores on lips
- Self-Medication – over-the-counter (OTC) treatments
- Prescription Medication – your doctor gives a cold sore treatment
- Cold sore remedies – natural means to get rid of cold sores
Each of us is different and only you can decide which cold sore treatment is best for your body.
Let It Be:
If you prefer to let cold sores on lips run their course, there are ways you can lessen your discomfort include:
- Apply ice or cold compresses
- Wash the sore with a clean towel soaked in salt water
- Place warm, moist tea bags over the sore
In addition, make sure you keep an extra toothbrush in your bathroom cabinet. The HSV-1 virus can live in your toothbrush and result in recurrence of cold sores on lips; in addition, if you know you have HSV-1, don’t share your toothpaste tube with family members.
Preventing Cold Sores On Lips
Your best defense to treat a cold sore is a strong immune system. Taking care of your body and mind decreases outbreaks and benefits your overall health.
Our immune systems can be compromised by a number of factors, including:
- Lack of sleep – insufficient rest increases your chances of catching a cold or virus, including sores on lips
- Fatigue – this overall feeling of tiredness can be associated with insomnia, as well as as anemia, depression and diet; if you feel sluggish all the time, you should be evaluated by a qualified health professional
- Poor diet – eating healthy is essential to proper health; replace processed foods with fresh vegetables and fruits filled with nutrients
- Not enough vitamins/minerals – taking Vitamin C of Zinc may boost your immune system; if your diet is extremely poor, consider a multi-vitamin
- Hormones – women are more likely to develop lip sores on lips just before or during a period
- Digestive system disorders – a chronic stomach conditions as well as indigestion from eating too much or disagreeable foods increases your likelihood of a flare-up
- Injury – an accident that causes pain around your mouth
- Weather – exposure to extreme cold/hot temperatures that cause your lips and skin to become dry; use a lotion and lip balm with SPF15 protection before you need a cold sore remedy
- Dehydration – drink lots or water throughout the day to help prevent or get rid of cold sores
- Stress – we can’t eliminate stress, but we can take steps to control our response to physical and emotional stress
I was surprised when I first learned the effects stress could have on the body; although not one of the direct cold sore causes, stress plays an important role in how susceptible you are to catching viruses such as HSV-1 as well as the frequency and severity of which cold sores occur.
Maintaining healthy habits to avoid getting sick and finding methods of dealing with emotional stress such as yoga, exercise, counseling – whatever works for you, will have benefits far beyond avoiding cold sores on lips.
Natural Cold Sore Remedies
The advantage of using natural remedies for cold sores on lips is that they often address cold sore causes. In addition to providing immediate relief, they can often decrease and/or prevent future sores on lips.
Some effective cold sore remedies include:
- Lysine – an amino acid, popular for cold sores on lips because of its proven efficacy
- Vitamin B12 – many individuals who suffer recurrent cold sores have low levels of B12; your doctor can perform a simple blood test to see if you’d benefit from monthly injections or daily B-supplements
- Yogurt – the pro-biotic enzymes in yogurt cultures might help if your outbreaks are related to digestive issues
- Aloe – soothes and moisturizes the lips; its especially useful in cases where harsh weather or dry lips/skin increases cold sores
The 2 Most Effective Treatments for Cold Sores
I’ve research and tested many different remedies for a cold sore. From my experience I have found two products that work very well to keep cold sores from coming back. I chose two products because of the difference in price.
1.) Dynamiclear is a topical solution and works with just one application for cold sores on lips or your mouth. I find that Dynamiclear works much better than the popular OTC treatment Abreva. Dynamiclear cost about a $1 per application, so it is very affordable. The only down side is that you have to see the first signs of a cold sore before you use any topical solution. You just apply once, as soon as you sense a breakout, for fast cold sore relief and it will stop the redness, burning, stinging and itching associated with blisters and the healing process begins immediately.
2.) The other product that works excellent is Valtrex (Valacycovir). This is a generic anti-viral drug that actually will stop cold sore breakouts before they happen. The lowest price on this drug can be found online at Pharm4all.com. You can even order without a prescription. (As you probably are aware of, many of the online pharmacies can not be trusted. Some are selling counterfeit medications from China and others have very unreliable delivery service.)
If you are treating a cold sore on lips, you start using Valtrex at the first sign of an breakout. (when you first start to feel that tingling sensation) For treating adults and children over 12, doctors recommend a doses of Valtrex 2000 mg, twice a day, for just one day. The two doses (2000mg x 2) should be taken about 12 hours apart. Take when you first feel a tingling on the lips or mouth. The cost is just $5.68 per breakout when ordering 60 pills from Pharm4all.com. With discounts for ordering more that 60 pills. Plus a 10% discount on all re-orders from Pharm4all.com. This will completely stop the cold sore from forming. Although there is no guarantee that you will never get cold sores again, many of my clients experience fewer outbreaks that are far less severe when using Valtrex.
So, if you want to know, “How to get rid of cold sores on lips?” and you want to stop the embarrassing blisters, burning, itching in a fast, effective way, I would suggest either trying Dynamiclear or Valtrex. Judge for yourself. See if they also work for you.
For more information on cold sores, check-out: “How to Get Rid of Cold Sores” and “How Can I Get Rid of a Cold Sore”
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