How to Get Rid of a Cold Sore with Natural Home Remedies?

Cold Sore is also commonly known as Fever Blisters (also called as oral herpes, labial herpes, herpes labialis & herpes febrilis).  It is commonly caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV – 1), which closely related to HSV – 2 which causes genital herpes. Cold sores are tiny, fluid filled blisters that occur on & around the lips, mouth & nose. These inflamed blisters can often grouped together in patches. Then after, these blisters break, a crust forms over the resulting sore. Usually cold sores can spread from one person to another person by close personal contact liking kissing, oral sex etc. These herpes virus can affect your mouth or your genitals. There is no cure for this HSV infection & blisters can came again if cured also, this is why because of often in response to stress or a weekend immune system.

Cold sores & Canker sores are different terms; many people use these as interchangeable words. Cold sores are caused by viral infection on or around the mouth, lips & nose where as canker sores are caused by bacterial infections inside the mouth & cheeks. Cold sores are contagious but canker sores are not.

Cold sores can be healed within two weeks. To get fast healing, try these natural homemade remedies which heal the cold sores & reduce the frequency to reoccur.

Also Read the Post: Home Remedies for Canker Sore

Home Remedies for Cold Sore:

1. Tea Bags:

Nutrients & antioxidants that are present in the green tea will help to soothe the cold sores & increases the speed of healing.

Remedy:

• Take a tea bag
• Soak it in hot water for few minutes.
• Then allow it to cool.
• Now apply the wet tea bag on the sore for 5 – 10 minutes.
• Process has to be repeated for every 2 hours with fresh tea bags.
• Or you can try by make a cup of green tea.
• Drink that tea & use the tea bag by placing it on the cold sore after cooling.
• To get more relief, you can also refrigerate or freeze the tea bag before using it.

2. Garlic:

Garlic contains the anti bacterial property which helps to disinfect the area & spread ups the healing process. But when you apply garlic, it may sting a little bit as it is potent in nature.

Remedy:

• Take some garlic cloves.
• Make a paste either by crushing or chopping it.
• Apply it on the cold sores
• Leave it for few minutes & rinse it off with normal water.

3. Echinacea:

Remedy:

• Take a tsp of strong Echinacea root.
• Swish it around your mouth for about 2 -3 minutes.
• After that, swallow it completely

4. Chamomile Tincture:

Chamomile contains bisabolol, a component which helps to heal sores on mucous membranes.

Remedy:

• Drink chamomile tea regularly
• Let the hot liquid linger on the sores
• Or you can simply apply chamomile tincture to the sore for at least 3-4 times a day to get faster healing.

5. Milk:

Milk contains immunoglobulin’s & I-lysine amino acids which heals the sore. It will also soothe the pain caused by the sores.

Remedy:

• Take a raw milk or cold milk in a bowl.
• Soak a cotton ball or pad in the milk.
• Apply that cotton ball on the cold sores.
• Let it kept for few minutes.
• If you have tell – tale tingling feel before the cold sore surface
• Then take directly cold milk, which can speed up the process of healing from beginning part.

6. Vanilla:

Vanilla contains anti infection properties, which helps to get rid of the viral infection quickly. It also reduces the inflammation & pain caused by the sores.

Remedy:

• Take pure vanilla or its extract
• Apply few drops of pure vanilla extract on the cold sores.
• Use a sterile cotton ball or q-tip to apply the extract on cold sores.
• Process has to be repeated for three to four times a day.
• Using pure vanilla extract gives best results rather than artificial vanilla.

7. Tea Tree Oil:

Tea tree oil has antiseptic, antiviral, anti-fungal & antibiotic properties which help to prevent the infection & at last preventing the cold sores.

Remedy:

• Take tea tree oil & add two or three times of water to it.
• Mix it well
• Apply it on the cold sores
• Leave it for few minutes.
• This will help to prevent the lesion from forming.

8. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV):

The apple cider vinegar helps to dry out the blister, kills bacteria & also balances the pH level.

Remedy:

• Take apple cider vinegar (ACV) & a cotton ball.
• Apply the vinegar directly on the open sores by using the cotton ball.
• It will sting a little bit.
• Process has to be repeated for several times a day to get better results.

9. Hydrogen Peroxide:

Hydrogen peroxide contains anti bacterial property which helps to kill the bacteria causing the sore by infecting it & dries out the skin in the area.

Remedy:

• Take hydrogen peroxide solution & cotton ball.
• Pour a little solution onto the sores.
• Apply it on the sore & its surrounding area.
• Use a cotton ball to swipe the solution.
• Do it continuously for multiple times for a day.

10. Licorice:

Licorice is very effective in cold sore treatment. Glycyrrhizic acid present in licorice will helps to stop the cold sore virus cells to spread & reduces it to recur again.

Remedy:

• Take a licorice whip & chew it regularly.
• Make sure to check that whether it is made of pure licorice or not, before taking it.
• Or you can buy a powder of licorice
• Sprinkle it on the sore & its surrounding areas.
• Or you can try by simply make a fine paste of licorice
• For that you need a little bit of licorice powder & smidgen of pure vegetable shortening.
• Mix it all & make a fine creamy paste
• Apply it onto the sores & let it sit for few minutes.
• Wash it off with normal water.
• But make sure not to use the licorice more as it causes the side effects too.

11.  Nail Polish Remover:

Nail polish remover works like a garlic action on the cold sores & dries out the blister quickly.

Remedy:

• Take a nail polish remover & a Q-tip
• Soak the Q-tip in the nail polish remover for few minutes.
• Apply the soaked Q-tip on the blister
• Let it like that as long as you can bear it.
• It will cause a little bit of burn but dries out completely.

12.  Peppermint Oil:

Peppermint oil can easily penetrate into the skin, when applied & helps to cure the cold sore by its powerful antiviral properties.

Remedy:

• Take few drops of peppermint oil
• Apply it on your sore affected area
• Leave it for few minutes
• Rinse it off with normal water.
• Process has to be repeated for twice a day to get the speed recovery from the cold sores.

13. Reishi & Astragalus:

Reishi helps to boost up the immune system & it is in the form of mushroom, where Chinese use these as there medicine to boost the immunity. Astragalus is also used to improve the immunity & controls the herpes virus.

Remedy:

• Take 600 mg of Reishi either in powder or supplements
• Take it for once or twice a day to control the spread of the cold sores.
• Repeat the process for best results.
• Or you can try Reishi & astragalus
• Combine both the ingredients
• Take this for twice day to get the best results of improving the immunity system.

14. Cornstarch:

Corn starch will helps to bring instant relief from the itching & burning sensations of the cold sores & helps in preventing it fast.

Remedy:

• Take a cornstarch & add few drops of water in it.
• Mix it well to make a fine paste.
• Apply it on the cold sores & leave it for few minutes.
• Rinse it off with normal water.

15. Honey:

It contains anti biotic property & it soothes the cold sore irritation & heals it fast.

Remedy:

• Take raw / organic honey in a bowl.
• Pour a little bit of honey on your cold sores when it starts
• Leave it for few minutes
• Raise it off.
• Repeat the process to get good results as honey is one of the oldest remedy for things to cure naturally.

16. Myrrh:

It contains active ingredients which helps to prevent the infection & reduces the cold sores.

Remedy:

• Take 2 tsp of powdered myrrh & a cup of boiling water.
• Now add that powdered myrrh in boiling water
• Dab it on your cold sores frequently.
• Do this process continuously in a day to get the best results.

17. Aloe Vera:

It has anti inflammatory & soothing property which helps to reduce the infection & pain caused by the cold sores.

Remedy:

• Take a fresh aloe vera leaf or get the fresh aloe vera gel from the departmental stores.
• Rub the gel / liquid on the blister.
• Leave it for few minutes & rinse it off
• Try this process for at least 2-3 times a day to get rid of the problem.

18. Camphor:

Camphor is having the property to numb the things & pain to reduce the cold sores.

Remedy:

• Take some spirits of camphor
• Dab it on the painful sores by sing a cotton ball.
• Leave it few minutes; it will do its action to reduce the pain.
• Other things that are used in place of camphor are benzocaine, lidocaine, benzyl alcohol, tetracaine & phenol used to numb the pain.

Tips to Prevent Cold Sores:

1. Apply petroleum jelly on a cold sore will heal the problem soon & protect it from the secondary infection with bacteria. As well as don’t share your lipstick or make up kit to anyone.
2. Put an ointment containing benzocaine on the cold sores will temporarily reduce the pain by numbing the sore area.
3. You need to change the toothbrush whenever the inflamed blister has formed & again after it cleared up, as toothbrush can easily spread the virus.
4. Apply sunscreen to your lips or affected part of the cold sores, which helps to prevent the recurrence of cold sores. Sunscreen with SPF of 15 or above will be suitable for lips or you can simply use a lipstick which contains sunscreen.
5. Doing the things like squeeze, pinch or pick a cold sore will definately increases the infection. So, don’t do these things to avoid the cold sores.
6. Cold sores are infectious so, it’s better to avoid kissing, sharing cups, towels or any other things which can transferred from one person to another person soon.
7. Use hand sanitizer to your hand anywhere when you touch the cold sore. It’s recommended to wash your hands frequently or especially when your touch your cold sore or around the affected area, for not to spread the virus all over the body.
8. If it is paining too much use a painkiller like aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen or any other over the counter painkillers which give relief from the pain.
9. Put an ice pack or cold compress which helps you to get the temporary relief from the pain. You can also use super cold drinks like slushes or smoothies which help to numb the cold sore area & give temporary relief from the pain. But avoid juicy bars which cause the irritation due to its acidic content.
10. As we all know, stress is one of the cause of the cold sores, so try to avoid it by sucking Zinc lozenges which helps to boost the immune system. Or you can try stress relief techniques like deep breath, yoga, exercise, meditation etc, to reduce & control the stress.
11. Use over the counter cream called Docosanol (Abreva), which is approved by the food & drug administration for use on cold sores. Apply it frequently so that it may shorten the outbreak early.
12. Use a lemon extract lip balm which gives faster relief from the pain.
13. Lysine, an amino acid which is available either as oral supplement or as cream will help to get rid of the problem.
14. Avoid taking food that is high in arginine, which is a protein that helps the herpes virus by building blocks to spread it. Food containing arginine are whole grains, seeds, nuts, chocolates etc.,
15. Keep the acidic food away i.e., acidic foods like citric fruits, tomatoes in any form, vinegar & its extract should be avoided as when you eat them, the herpes virus expand in an acidic environment.
16. Apply salt on the sores & press gently for at least 30 seconds to allow the salt to enter into the sore & kill the bacteria. Do this by using your moisten figure to be dipped in salt & take some salt to do the process.
17. Applying a topical oil like lavender oil or Melissa oil regularly for several times a day will heal the cold sores soon.
18. Don’t try to squeeze or burst the sore, as it again causes the problem to repeat.
19. Take an oral antiviral medication like penciclovir, acyclovir or famciclovir, which speed up the healing & reduces the severity of the outbreaks.
20. Aloe vera sap, which helps to relieve from the pain from cold sores & it also reduces the cracking around the lips.

Symptoms of Cold Sore:

Listed below are the symptoms which regularly seen in the people who suffer with cold sores.

• Fever
• Infection
• Colds & flu
• Ultraviolent radiation such as sun burn
• Fatigue
• Menstruation
• Trauma
• Food allergies
• Dental work
• Changes in immune system
• Tingling & itching around the cold sore
• Burning sensation around the cold sore
• Blisters
• Oozing & crusting
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Swollen lymph nodes

Other Complications with Cold Sore:

People who suffer with cold sores can also face some other problem due to lack of hygienic. The herpes virus can cause problems in other parts of the body like…

• Finger Tip: Herpes virus can spread to fingers when you touch the sore area & if you don’t wash your hands it will easily spread to your mouth while you eating or putting your finger in your mouth. It is easier to spread for children, if they have a habit of sucking their thumbs, which can transfer to their infection from mouth to thumb.
• Eyes: The herpes virus can even affect the eyes by causing pinkeye (conjunctivitis), when you place your finger after touching the affected part. If ulcers develop on the eye itself, it will result in vision problem or even causes blindness.
• All over the Skin: People who suffer with a skin problem such as eczema will have a higher risk of spreading cold sores all over the body. If it done like that, it is an emergency situation to the people who suffers with that problem.
• Effect on Other Organs: Basically people with less / weakened immune system will cause the cold sores. So, due to weak immune system, the herpes virus can also affect the other organs of the body like lungs, liver, brain, etc. 

Foods to be Taken to Prevent Cold Sore:

• Include lysine content in your diet by taking fresh vegetables & fruits, fish, beans, turkey & chicken, dairy products like yogurt, eggs, milk & cheese, mangoes, tomatoes, avocadoes, apples, beets, apricots, pears & sprouts, etc.
• Include multivitamin & vitamin C supplement daily in your diet.
• Eat the food which will boost your immune system & helps the body to fight with virus. For that one eat plenty of fresh fruits & raw vegetables in your diet. Include cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, onions, garlic & foods which include the compound called indole – 3 – carbinol (I3C).
• Vitamin C foods like strawberries, leafy vegetables, lemon, orange, straw berries, bell peppers, papaya, parsley, etc., but make sure not to use these on more as it contains citrus which has some acidic nature.
• Take the food containing antioxidants like berries like blue berries, black berries, straw berries, raspberries & also kale, whole grains, garlic, carrots, dates, chilly, pepper, red cabbage, beets, lemon, ginger, green tea, etc.
• Include zinc & its supplements in your diet like sea foods, pumpkin seeds, beans & lentils, whole grain cereals, legumes, most of the dairy products, etc.
• Take food that are rich in Bioflavonoid like citrus fruits, bright coloured fruits & vegetables (cherries, cranberries, grapes, peppers, apricots, prunes) black tea (like Earl Gray), egg fruit, wine & juice made from the berries or grapes, leafy vegetables, rosehips, etc.
• Foods containing Vitamin B & Magnesium will helps to lead a stress less life& at last makes your body to have a better chance to recover from the stressful situations. So include food like bananas, whole grains, barley, mushrooms, turkey, brewer’s yeast, green leafy vegetables,  tuna & salmon, soy products etc.

Food to be Avoided to Prevent Cold Sore:

• Acidic foods
• Salty foods
• Arginine rich in foods like chocolates, peanuts, other nuts, grains, peas, seeds, oatmeal, whole – wheat products, caffeine, protein milk shakes.
• Artificial sweeteners
• White bread
• Coffee, caffeine & soda
• White & refined sugars
• Processed & junk foods like deep fried rice, packet foods
• Food with artificial colorings, flavorings & preservatives
• Food containing saturated fatty acids & trans-fatty acids like margarine, fast foods, packet or snack food, frozen dinners etc.