Cold sores are the result of the Herpes Simplex virus, which I’m sure you’ve heard. About six in ten people carry the virus, so if you’re suffering from a cold sore, you’re definitely not alone. There are many negative aspects to cold sores including pain, communicability and, probably the worst, they look horrible. Few things provide such negative social stigma as a big festering sore on your lip. Yuck! You need to know how to cure a cold sore fast.

So, how to cure a cold sore?

There are many a cold sore remedy out there including many cold sore home remedy ideas, and the list is growing every day. Some people opt for prescription medicines, and some prefer a more natural cold sore remedy. Like many treatments, there really is not one pill for all, meaning the same treatment doesn’t work for everyone. Chances are you’ve already tried a few home remedies that didn’t work (or didn’t work for very long).

How to Cure a Cold Sore with Prescription Medication

There are at least a few prescriptions out today that can be used to treat the oral herpes virus, but they are designed to relieve the temporary sore – not to cure the cause. This means you can take the prescription to get rid of the sore, but if you don’t continue some sort of medicine, it is very likely it will return.

Among the more popular prescription drugs are Denavir and Acyclovir, both topical treatments that can shorten the duration of the cold sore. Pills like Famciclovir and Valacyclovir have also been shown to reduce healing time. Even though these pills and potions may reduce healing time, don’t you want to know how to cure a cold sore fast, to have it gone right now never to return?

How to Cure a Cold Sore with Home Remedies

There are many home remedies you can use to temporarily alleviate the pain of a cold sore and possibly speed its healing.

• Rub ice on the sore for a few minutes, repeat as needed to reduce pain. It’s best to use an ice pack or cover the ice in a washcloth rather than applying it directly. Don’t keep it on for more than 10-15 minutes at a time – you don’t want to get frostbite in addition to your cold sore problem.
• Try putting a warm tea bag on the blister for about 30 minutes.
• Apply Witch Hazel, aloe vera gel or lemon balm extract to the blister.

How to Cure a Cold Sore Fast — and Permanently

If you’ve tried everything (or think you’ve tried everything) to get rid of cold sores for good, or if you don’t like taking pills and going to the doctor only to have your cold sores return time and again, I have just one more suggestion for you.

There’s an ebook that I found extremely helpful that I think you should read. It’s called Cold Sore Free Forever, and it’s changed my life. I recommend this ebook, not just because it was an interesting read, but because of it, I am now completely cold sore free:

• No more embarrassment when I talk to other people because I think everyone’s staring
• No more anxiety because I know another cold sore is on the way even though the last one just cleared up
• No more pain when I open my mouth, laugh or smile
• No more being afraid to get close to other people because I know I’m contagious

Cold Sore Free Forever explains an all-natural, inexpensive, easy to get started way to permanently banish cold sores from your life. It’s the only way I know of how to get rid of a cold sore fast that actually worked for me. I’m no longer afraid to get close to other people, do presentations at work and be around my friends just for drinks and dinner.

Cold Sore Free Forever helped me understand my symptoms, and more importantly, showed me how to cure a cold sore – permanently. Gone for good.

Here’s what some other people are saying about Cold Sore Free Forever:

“As a lifetime cold sores sufferer, I tried various creams but none of them really worked for a prolonged period of time. Fortunately, while I was looking for yet another sores cream I found positive reviews about your web site. I was very skeptic, but after reading several other positive reviews on different web sites I was convinced. This was 2 months ago, now I’m happy to say that after following your program I haven’t seen any sign of cold sores whatsoever. I highly recommend your program because it healed my sores where all the other methods failed miserably!” - Dana Wilkinson, Texas

“Hi doctor, I want to give a personal testimonial and highly recommend your program for any cold sores suffers out their. I have been suffering from cold sores since a very young age and tried many products in vain. Sores kept coming back all the time because I was never really addressing the root of the problem. Fortunately, after giving a try to this modest program, my sores disappeared like never before. If you want to cure your sores permanently, you really have to check this out.” – Suzanne Smitters, New Jersey

“I’ve been trying for years to get rid of the cold sores that appear every time and then on my upper lip. They are just too ugly and whenever I had them I just feel to stay at home until they go off. Surprisingly, after only a few days following your program and theirs no sign of any cold sores anymore. They just healed off!
I can never thank you enough for this. It was not just about cold sores, but about all the pain that I used to feel when I had to go our with them. Fortunately, this is something of the past now.” – Amanda Dolson, Toronto

Click here for How to Cure a Cold Sore at the Official Cold Sore Free Forever Website

If you’ve got them, you’ll want to know how to get rid of cold sores fast. I’ve put together this list of cold sore home remedies so you can shorten both the duration and discomfort of this nasty condition right in the comfort of your own home. Here are some of the many ways of how to cure a cold sore:

Cold Sore Home Remedies – Lotions, Potions & Oils

Following are some home remedies for cold sores you may want to try:

1. Covering the blister with petroleum jelly is one of the most popular cold sore home remedies. Not only does it speed healing but also provides a protective coating to avoid spreading the virus to other parts of your face.
2. Keep your hands clean. Always use a cotton swab to touch the sore – never your bare hands. Also, take care to wash your hands thoroughly after treating your cold sore to avoid cross contamination.
3. Use tea tree oil as an antiseptic.
4. Apply a warm tea bag to the affected area. The tannic acid is a strong antiviral agent.
5. Apply a cold compress to the cold sore to relieve the pain and itching. Be careful to not leave it on for more than ten or fifteen minutes at a time. It will provide a cool, numbing effect.
6. Make sure to drink lots of water and get plenty of rest to help your body heal itself.
7. Get a new toothbrush. When you’re infected, so is your toothbrush, so replace it to avoid reinfecting yourself.
8. Chew on licorice. The glycyrrhizic acid in the licorice helps kill the virus cells. Make sure it’s real licorice, though, not just licorice-flavored candy.
9. Soak a cotton ball in cold milk, then apply it to the cold sore to alleviate pain.
10. Suck on zinc lozenges. Known for its cold-fighting ability, zinc can help shorten the duration of your symptoms by boosting your immune system.

Cold Sore Home Remedies to Make Them Disappear Forever

There is one among all the cold sore home remedies I’ve found that actually works. Not only does it cure a cold sore – it actually gets rid of it permanently. That’s right – it will never come back again. This remedy is safe, natural, easy to do and inexpensive. In other words, it’s worth every penny. Also, if it doesn’t work for you, it’s guaranteed, so you can get your money back. Check out Cold Sore Free Forever through this link to find out how to get rid of cold sores fast – and forever. Of all the cold sore home remedies I’ve seen, this one blew me away in its simplicity and effectiveness.

Home Remedies for Cold Sores Right Out of the Bottle

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a very simple treatment compared to other home remedies for cold sores. As soon as you feel the burning sensation of a potential blister, just dab some on with a cotton swab. Apply it several times a day to shorten healing time.

Tea Tree Oil

You can pick up tea tree oil at most drugstores and health food stores or purchase it online. Brand isn’t really important for this process, so purchase whatever brand you can find. Use a cotton swab to apply the oil. Use it full strength on the affected area unless you have sensitive skin. If your skin is sensitive, dilute the oil with one part water. Reapply several times every day until the scabs disappear. Make sure you keep using lip balm to keep your lips moist while you’re doing the oil.

Campho-Phenique

Make sure you start by gently cleaning the area with a soft washcloth and warm water. Avoid any harsh cleansers or soaps. Apply a small amount with cotton one to three times per day.

Alum

You can pick up alum in the spice section of the grocery store, as it is used in canning vegetables. Wet the cold sore, then apply the alum. Leave on for 30 seconds only. If left on longer, it will dry out your lips and make them crack. Rinse it off with cold water. Do this three times per day.

Home Remedies for Cold Sores Recipes

Garlic, Honey & Lysine

Put this mixture on your lip 4 times every day for the duration of the store to speed healing: 1 tablespoon honey, 1 lysine tablet and 5 cloves garlic. Crush and mash this all together.

Ice, Alcohol, Vitamin C, Lysine & Neosporin

This is one of the more complex home remedies for cold sores but one you may want to try if you have time. On the day you get the sore, apply ice for 10 minutes out of every hour. Alternate this with applying rubbing alcohol with cotton swab. Starting on day two, make a paste of one crushed vitamin C pill, one lysine tablet, rubbing alcohol and Neosporin. Apply this once every two hours throughout day two or until the cold sore is gone. Users report this is a great way of how to cure a cold sore.

There are many other home remedies for cold sores that we are always researching. Check back often for updates. If you’d like to never have to deal with a cold sore again, you may want to give this ebook a read:

If You’d Like to Be Cold Sore Free Forever, Check Out This Ebook for Proven Home Remedies for Cold Sores That Really Work

Herpes: the basics

Cold sores are a form of the Herpes Simplex virus. Even though it is two different strains that cause genital and oral sores, the strains can infect either site with blisters and sores. It is possible for the Herpes virus to infect your nose, mouth, hands, genitals, and even your brain. The general rule of thumb for the medical community is that the HSV1 virus affects areas above the waist, and the HSV2 virus affects areas below the waist.

No matter where in the world you live, there’s no denying the social stigma attached to herpes. It’s as if people hear the word and are morbidly repulsed. In truth, cold sores and Herpes can affect anyone. It’s as likely that a prostitute to have the virus, as it is for a nun to have it! From wealthy executives to young children, it’s a virus that doesn’t play favorites. Of course, it doesn’t help matters that it’s just so easy to contract either! Some statistics estimate as many as 80% of the population has come into contact with the herpes virus. In one frightening study done in 1997, less than ten percent of the people who tested positive for the herpes virus knew they were infected!

About the term “herpes”

The word “herpes” came from the original Latin word meaning, “to creep” or “crawling”. The use of the word dates back to ancient Greece and originally referred to a wide range of skin disorders, none of them pretty. Through the many hundreds of years in between, the word herpes has come to refer to the genital strain of the STD, which is not always the case. In fact, the herpes virus also causes Shingles and chickenpox. Some sources say that most HSV1 infections occur before the age of 10, and there are some shocking statistics about possible future infection rates. When it comes to herpes, the stigma runs deep and the fear is very real.

The terms “cold sores” and “fever blisters” are euphemisms for the herpes simplex virus. There is more than one kind of herpes. Just because you suffer from one, does not mean you will suffer from genital herpes, and vice versa. Although it’s generally accepted that cold sore caused by the herpes virus, “are they a form of herpes?” must rank highly as one of the most frequently asked questions by newly diagnosed sufferers. The good news is that they are caused by a different strain of this virus; the bad news is that this virus is also known as herpes. The harsh reality is that once you tell someone you suffer from Herpes, his or her immediate assumption will be that you are talking about the genital variety

Slowly but fortunately, society is becoming more aware every day. Not only can you prevent it, but you can successfully treat any sores that may appear. Anyone can now make it a manageable part of their lives.

There’s no need to panic if you suffer from cold sores and are afraid that your cold sores are a form of the genital herpes. Are cold sores a form of herpes? Yes. Does this mean the end of the world? No! Take preventative measures and be careful in the days leading up to an outbreak and the chances are slim that you will ever have to suffer through this STD.

If you have a cold sore now, there are some home remedies for cold sores you may want to try.

How would you like to never have to worry about cold sore outbreaks again?, Find out how you can truly be cold sore free fore-ever.

Go visit the [http://www.cure-cold-sores.com] website.

Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?Are-Cold-Sores-a-Form-of-Herpes?&id=5795785] Organize Home Files

By [http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Corey_Stevenson]Corey Stevenson

Cold sores are contagious, and the HSV-1 virus that causes cold sores is present in an estimated 80% of the population. Most people are infected by HSV-1 at an early age, usually by the time they are five years old. Once the virus infects an individual, it will remain in that person’s body forever. Though HSV-1 is latent or dormant for much of the time, it is still present in the body. The virus is usually present near the person’s mouth, but it can spread all over the body. It is important to understand that an infected person can spread HSV-1 to others even while not currently experiencing an outbreak.

One of the most common ways that HSV-1 is spread is through an object an infected person used, like a toothbrush or tube of lip balm. If particles of the HSV-1 virus are transferred to an object and it is used by someone else, that person runs a strong risk of infection.

People are most likely to become infected by HSV-1 by exposure to someone with a cold sore. A cold sore goes through several phases before it disappears. The tingle stage is the first. At this point, the cold sore has not yet formed, but the virus has been reactivated. The risk of spreading the virus increases at this time, but the risk is highest when the sore is in the weeping stage. This is when the sore bursts open and expels a clear liquid. Even during the crusting stage, when the sore is scabbed over, the risk of infection is greater than normal.

It is important to note that HSV-1 can not only spread between people, but also to different parts of the infected person’s body. Herpetic whitlow, the HSV-1 infection of the fingers is particularly painful. People must be sure to wash their hands thoroughly when they have a cold sore to prevent the spread of HSV-1.

If you have a one, you’ll want to know how to cure a cold sore fast. It’s even better if it stays gone for good.

[http://www.wetpluto.com/A-Look-at-Cold-Sore-Treatments.html] Cold Sores Info provides detailed information about the cause of cold sores, as well as treatment, home remedies, curious, and answers to frequently-asked questions, such as “Are cold sores contagious?” Cold Sores Info is affiliated with [http://www.wetpluto.com/]Original Content.

Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?Are-Cold-Sores-Contagious?&id=73220]

By [http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva] Thomas Morva

Most people find the connection between herpes and cold sores to be very alarming, but it is not. There are two types of herpes simplex virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 usually causes cold sores and is found in most people. HSV-2 usually causes genital herpes and is much more rare. Sometimes HSV-2 does cause mouth herpes and HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but it is uncommon and not seen very often.

The HSV-1 virus is usually transmitted through contact with a contaminated fluid such as kissing, or it can spread through sneezing, coughing, or touching a cold sore. The HSV-1 virus is often spread from parent to child when the child comes in contact with an item that a parent with a cold sore has touched or used. The first time a person is infected with the HSV-1 virus is called the primary herpetic stomatitis and usually does not result in a cold sore. The virus can lie dormant for many years. Most people come into contact with the HSV-1 virus by the time they are five years old but do not get their first cold sore until after puberty.

Cold sores usually go away on their own over the course of a week to ten days. They do not leave scars and often do not recur for many years. The cold sores often burst open after a few days and expel a clear fluid before drying up and disappearing.

For some people, cold sores are too painful or embarrassing to be left alone to simply disappear independently. For these people, there are OTC and prescription medicines to speed up the healing process. Cold sores are a painful nuisance that nearly everyone experiences. There is no prevention for cold sores, but there are many treatments available to make the experience as easy as possible.

If you have a cold sore bothering you, you may want to try some cold sore home remedies.

[http://www.wetpluto.com/A-Look-at-Cold-Sore-Treatments.html] Cold Sores Info provides detailed information about the cause of cold sores, as well as treatment, home remedies, curious, and answers to frequently-asked questions, such as “Are cold sores contagious?” Cold Sores Info is affiliated with [http://www.wetpluto.com/]Original Content.

Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Exactly-is-a-Cold-Sore?&id=60682]

By [http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva] Thomas Morva

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