Cold Sores
Home Remedies Solution on 10th, 2008 Cold sores is also called fever blisters or Herpes simplex, it is characterized by groups of fluid-filled blisters and affects skin and nervous system. Often erupts around the lips and sometimes under the nose or around the chin. This type of infection is caused by herpes virus (type 1) is contagious. The initial infection or primary herpes, which often occurs before adulthood, may be confused with a cold or flu and can cause painful lesions to erupt throughout the mouth.
If a person is infected with primary herpes, the virus stays in the body and causes occasional attacks. Sometimes the virus remains inactive.
Causes
Cold sores are caused by the virus known as Herpes simplex type I (HSV-1), which is different from the virus that infects genitals (HSV-2).
After the first infection, the virus lies dormant in the nerves or skin around the original area. The infected person will be at risk of having more outbreaks throughout life.
Typically an outbreak will last anywhere from three days to one week. The blisters on the face and nose are at risk of serious complications from an infection involving the mouth or nose.
In rare cases, the herpes virus can infect the brain and the central nervous system. This can produce meningitis or encephalitis. These types of infections can only occur if the infected person has weakened immune systems.
Some causes of cold sores includes the following:
- Biting your cheek, tongue, or lip
- Chewing tobacco
- Wearing Braces
- Burning your mouth from hot food or drinks
- Induced drugs that might cause mouth sores include chemotherapeutic agents, aspirin, barbiturates, penicillin, streptomycin, and sulfonamides.
Symptoms
Symptom that may appear during an outbreak of cold sores may include:
- Burning
- Tingling
- Itching in the area around the mouth or nose
Within few days, the infected area may become reddened and develop small fluid-filled blisters. Some of these small blisters may even come together and form one large blister.
Treatment
Baking Soda:
Make a paste of baking soda using clean water, apply in affected blisters area using cotton swabs
Peppermint oil:
Apply in affected areas, can also lessen the pain due to lesions.
Acidophilus:
Take four acidophilus capsules three or four times a day with milk.
Aloe Vera Gel:
Apply on the affected area
Chaparral:
Commonly used by Native Americans as a remedy for colds, it comes in capsules and a spray, which provides almost instant relief from cold sore pain.
Cornstarch:
Make a paste by adding clean small amount and apply in affected area.
Camphor:
Dab on the sore with a cotton swab.
Grapefruit seed extract:
Mix a few drops of grapefruit seed extract with aloe or olive oil, and dab it on to the sore.
Ice:
Rub an ice cube on the sore for a few minutes this process may prevent the movement of the virus from the nerve to the skin.
Mint:
Apply topically in infected areas, this will speed healing of the sore
Myrrh:
Apply a tincture of myrrh in affected areas this helps to relieve the pain.
Sage:
Make a tea by adding two or three leaves to a cup of boiling water; steep; add one teaspoon of powdered ginger. Drink several cups a day until the sores are cleared up.
Tea:
Steep an ordinary teabag in boiling water for a few minutes; cool; then apply to lesions.
Without proper hygiene practices, this virus can be contagious. Always wash hands especially after touching the infected areas. Do not share food utensils with another person.
Prevention
Don’t get in contact with an infected person
Wash your hands frequently
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