How To Get Rid of Cold Sores
Fastest Ways to Get Rid of Your Cold Sores
Would you like to know how to get rid of cold sores for good? Are you looking for the most effective treatment that is both safe and effective? If you want to find a real solution to this problem and start living without cold sores, this article will help you. Most of us, when we get a cold sore, feel instantly embarrassed and seek out treatments that will make the cold sore disappear as quickly as possible.
There are hundreds of products on the market that claim to stop or eliminate cold sores for good. Most of these products do very little in stopping or slowing down cold sore outbreaks.
You have to find a treatment for cold sores that tackles the root cause of the problem. In my experience, certain treatments work much better because they provide a real solution – in the case of cold sores remedies, they address the underlying virus. I will explain the reasons we get cold sores and the best methods to help you figure out how to get rid of cold sores.
Expert Advice On Cold Sore Remedies
Do you worry about cold sores? Are you concerned with getting rid of them as quickly as possible so they don’t come back? One of the reasons why they are so difficult to cure is because they are caused by a virus. This not only makes them painful, but it also makes them contagious. So, you can pass these sores on to another person. The motivation for you to learn how to get rid of cold sores should be pretty high.
Have you tried the typical cold sore remedies that are out there? If so, you no doubt have learned that they can be expensive, could have side effects, and don’t do much to help you get better faster. They likely don’t prevent cold sores from happening. They may not even cause a lasting cure. Once the cold sore “goes away” you will probably get another before too long.
Did you know that most cold sores, informally referred to as “fever blisters”, go away within two weeks anyway? That’s about the time it takes for these “typical” remedies to work. No, chances are, if you are reading this article on “How to Get Rid of Cold Sores” then you want something that works even faster than that.
This article will provide you with all the facts and information you need to not only help cure them quickly, but to prevent them from coming back. Then, you will figure the right cold sore treatment for your needs.
Proper Diagnosis Of Cold Sores
Once you have confirmed that you really do have a cold sore they are fairly easy to treat. In other words, it is important to have the right diagnosis and confirm that what you have really is a cold sore. To do this, you should visit your doctor to get a diagnosis. Once this happens, you can find a remedy to use.
Why do you need the right diagnosis before you can figure out how to get rid of cold sores? Because, there are some other things that are commonly mistaken for cold sores.
- Abrasians - it could be just a simple irritation or cut that results in raised, angry -looking skin.
- Angular Stomatis - this is when your lips are cracked at the corners, often when they are chapped or irritated from the weather.
- Canker Sores - these are open sores located inside of the mouth that can be painful. They are usually white or yellow in color and have an area of bright red that surrounds it. They can sometimes occur from a virus. However, most of the time, a clear cause can’t be determined. This is most often mistaken for a cold sore.
- Pimples - they often look like cold sores. Like cold sores they can also be filled with pus.
- Razor burn - these bright red, painful bumps can often be mistaken for cold sores, especially if there is an ingrown hair.
What Are Cold Sores?
If you are looking for ways on how to get rid of cold sores, understanding that this two week cycle runs the same way each time will help you to find the right treatment. Once the cold sore blister appears, it fills up with pus. Eventually, the pus dries. In order to get rid of it, the body then creates a scab over the blister once the pus dries out. The scab then pops off.
Cold Sores Explained - 5 Stages
As mentioned above, a cold store develops and goes away in about a two week time period. In this time, there are five stages that it goes through. Since each of us is different, the length of time each stage lasts depends on the individual. Also, keep in mind that this “two week” time period is just an approximation.
- Tingle - This stage usually goes on for one or two days. Some people interpret this “tingling” sensation as itching. The itching usually happens if you have recurring outbreaks.
- Blistering - The blister forms next and usually lasts one or two days. You can get many smaller blisters rather than just one. These small blisters often make up the larger sore.
- Weeping - This is when the cold sore is at its most contagious. Once the blister is fully formed, it then bursts. This is also when the cold sore is at its most painful.
- Crusting - This stage goes on for three or four days. Once it bursts, it the begins to form a scab. The cold sore blister can then crack, itch, burn, and bleed.
- Healing - The healing process can last around four days and goes on until the cold sore is fully healed. Once the scabs form, they begin to fall off. The cold sore is considered healed when the last scab falls off.
Knowing how to get rid of cold sores can prevent you from getting them in the first place and also from getting recurrent sores. If you find a great remedy and start taking it in the early stages, you can considerably shorten the life of the cold sore.
How Are Cold Sores Caused?
Knowing how you get cold sores can really help you prevent them. First of all, they are caused by the Herpes Simplex 1 virus, or HSV-1 virus for short. This is a very common virus and it has been estimated that at least fifty per cent of the population has been infected by it. However, the number of people infected can be as high as 80 per cent. Most people don’t even experience symptoms.
How do you get the HSV-1 virus? Mostly, the person you contract it from will have an active cold sore. When you make contact with the cold sore, or something that touched the cold sore, you could get the virus as well.
If you want to know how to get rid of cold sores it is also important to learn about preventing them. The first thing you can do is avoid coming into contact with the following things, especially if the person has an active cold sore:
- Fork or spoon
- Sharing a drinking glass or bottle
- Coming into contact with a razor used by someone with a cold sore
- Using someone else’s towel
- Sharing a tooth brush
These are common ways that the HSV-1 virus can spread indirectly. If you know that someone has a cold sore, it is especially important to avoid them if you want to prevent them. You can also get a cold sore by direct contact and doing things like kissing someone with a cold sore.
Additional Triggers for Getting Cold Sores
During my research on how to get rid of cold sores, I discovered that any type of stress on the body could increase your chance of getting a cold sore. Stress associated with work or family – especially if it causes lack of sleep and stress from a low immune system, can increase your chances of catching a cold or virus.
In addition, certain conditions, including health conditions, can make you more susceptible:
- Cancer
- Aids or HIV
- Organ transplant
- Certain skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis
- Hormone fluctuations
- Extreme temperatures and weather
While it is unrealistic to expect that you can avoid all of these scenarios, it is a good idea to do the best you can to avoid them. My research on how to get rid of cold sores has revealed that these things can definitely help you get the HSV-1 more frequently.
Typical Cold Sore Treatments
The typical method for getting rid of cold sores is to just let it go through its natural two week cycle and run its course. However, there are also some medications that people often take in order to help. Most of these are considered anti-viral medications.
These include:
- Topical medications like Acyclovir and Denavir
- Prescription medications like Valtrex and Famvir (typically used for herpes infections but they only control an outbreak, not cure it)
- OTC treatments like Zilactin, Viractin, Dynamiclear and Abreva
How To Get Rid of Cold Sores / Nutritional Considerations
Many natural remedies for cold sores provide fast cold sore relief. Using some of these cold sore remedies can speed- up healing and slow down future outbreaks.
These Cold sore remedies include:
- Lysine – one of the most well-known remedies for a cold sore; take supplements or eat foods rich in this amino acids
- Vitamin B12 or B complex – low B12 is common in people prone to cold sores
- Vitamin C – proven to boost the immune system
- Yogurt – cultures lessen digestive issues
- Zinc – boosts immune system; applied topically can increase healing
- Sun block – apply SPF-15 lip balm to prevent cold sore on lip
- Aloe Vera – soothes cold sores on lips, while speeding recovery
If you suffer from frequent cold sores, you should pay attention to your diet, stress level and exposure to weather – If you are wondering “how do you get cold sores?”, they might be influenced by your environment.
How To Get Rid of Cold Sores- Things You Can Do
It is not only important to think about how nutrition and natural remedies can help your cold sore, but there are also some other things you can do to help. These are essential strategies I would like to share with you on how to get rid of cold sores.
- Ice or cold water. You can apply this directly to the sore to help alleviate any itching or burning.
- Pain reliever. If the cold sore hurts, you can take an over the counter pain medication such as aspirin or Tylenol to help it temporarily.
- Tea bags. Take a tea bag and wet it with warm water. Apply to the cold sore. It seems like an unusual remedy, but it can help ease the pain from a cold sore.
- Hygiene. It is important to keep the cold sore clean. The best way is to mix some epsom salt in warm water and gently apply it to the cold sore with a clean cloth. The salt helps keep everything clean and also speeds healing by drying out the sore quicker.
- New toothbrush. Once you get a cold sore, replace your toothbrush. The cold sore virus can live in the toothbrush and cause recurrent outbreaks. Don’t ever share your brush with someone or use anyone else’s brush.
Best Cold Sore Treatments
I’ve been in the business of helping people with their health for years. Over the course of that time, I have personally tested many different cold sore remedies. I can tell you that a lot of them absolutely don’t work. However, some of them do work quite well. Remember that a cold sore runs its natural course in about two weeks. Any remedy you use needs to speed that process and also possibly prevent any future outbreaks.
Dynamiclear:
Dynamiclear is a much better remedy than the popular medication, Abreva. It works with just one application and is very effective choice on how to get rid of cold sores. It is a very affordable choice as well because each application costs right around $1.
The key is to apply it right when the breakout is first starting. So, if you feel the initial itching, burning, or tingling (before the sore itself develops) this is the ideal time to apply it.
Valtrex (Valacycovir):
Valtrex is another very effective product. It is a generalized anti viral drug that is very good at stopping an outbreak before it even begins. In other words, it helps guard against getting cold sores in the first place.
The lowest price for Valtrex can be found online at Pharm4all.com. I find that this is a great place to buy it. Remember to be careful in general when buying things like this online. You want to buy them from a source you trust, otherwise you may end up with a counterfeit product.
The best time to take this is when an outbreak begins and before the sore actually develops. Follow the instructions on the package for use. In general, the recommended dose for children and adults over the age of 12 is 2000 mg twice a day, spaced 12 hours apart. It runs about $5.68 per dose. You can get a bulk discount for orders over 60 pills.
If you are wondering how to get rid of cold sores, be assured that Valtrex really works. This is because it stops a cold sore from forming. Some people even report experiencing fewer cold sores in general with long term use. However, please remember that it isn’t necessarily a cure but it can lessen the severity of the problem.
So, if you are wondering how to really get rid of cold sores, both Dynamiclear and Valtrex can help you considerably. Remember this should be used in conjunction with managing your stress levels and keeping your body healthy.
For more information on cold sores, check out: “Best Treatments For Cold Sores on Lips”, “How Can I Get Rid of a Cold Sore?”and “How To Treat A Cold Sore”
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