Causes:

They are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are highly contagious. Typically children come in contact with the virus and then the virus lies dormant except for occasional flare-ups. Different things seem to trigger cold sores including but not limited to stress, a cold, poor diet, and prolonged sun exposure.

Cold Sores Remedy
There are many hypothetical cold sore remedies available. Different ones seem to work for different people. The situations that tend to trigger cold sores for a particular person will affect which is the best cold sore remedy for him/her.

Cold Sore Home Remedies

When a cold sore shows up many people want the quickest, effective remedy that can be achieved with ingredients they already have lying around. Some home remedies for cold sores are listed below.

• Petroleum jelly – Keeping the cold sore covered in jelly will protect it from infection and keep it hydrated.

• Zinc –Taking zinc will boost the immune system

• Change tooth brushes – Cold sores are a virus. Changing your toothbrush when you get a cold sore and then immediately after the sore goes away will help keep the infection from spreading.

• Apply milk – Soak a cotton ball in milk and apply to the cold sore.
  Protect from sun – Wearing sunscreen on you lips can prevent future break outs.

• Don’t touch – Cold sores are extremely contagious and could become worse if infected by bacteria. Wash your hand constantly.

• Take Tylenol or another pain killer if you are in pain.

• Avoid triggers – If you are prone to frequent cold sores, keep track of what you were doing right before the break out occurred. If you can figure out what triggers cold sores for you, some precautions can be taken to avoid future break outs.

• Licorice – A substance found in licorice has been found to help cold sores heal more quickly. However, make sure that it is real licorice – many American licorice companies flavor licorice with anise instead of real licorice.

• Ice the affected area.

If these home remedies for cold sore treatment and prevention don’t help there are some other options available although we won’t go into the specific benefits and details of each option there are several natural remedies available including but not limited to lysine, lemon balm, peppermint oil, propolis and self-heal. Have all been shown to be effective cold sore remedies.

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