Effective Healing Techniques for Treating a Cold Sore
Although cold sores usually just last for about 7 to 10 days in order
to heal completely without using any cold sore treatment, the weeklong
pain and irritation seems to be too long to most sufferers. The painful
blisters mostly develop on the lips, which produce extreme discomfort
and irritation on the affected area. As of now, there is no known
instant cure for cold sores. However, several cold sore treatments can
reduce the pain and discomfort of the inflammation and swelling of the
affected area.
Since cold sore is caused by a contagious virus known as the herpes
simplex virus or HSV-1, the best way to prevent having one is to do the
necessary precautions recommended by your physician. You may also want
to ask your local clinic for effective remedies for a cold sore. Here
are some of the helpful tips to help you have an idea of how to
alleviate the pain and completely heal the blisters caused by the cold
sore.
Firstly, it is important to prevent the skin damage from getting worse
by applying acyclovir at the first sight of the cold sore symptoms. You
can ask a local drugstore about over the counter cold sore remedies such
as Zovirax cream. You should apply the cream on the affected part five
times every day for about 5 days. By doing this, you can effectively
reduce the inflammation as well as the duration of the illness. If the
cold sore has developed completely, you can apply a cold compress over
the cold sore to help reduce the irritation and pain. An ice pack
covered with a clean cloth can be an excellent cold sore treatment for
alleviating pain and itchiness. You can also include taking ibuprofen
and acetaminophen to help improve your immune system against contagious
diseases like cold sore.
When applying medication on the affected area, make sure that you have
properly cleaned your fingers prior to the application. You should be
aware of the contagious property of the herpes simplex virus so you
should not touch any parts of your body after contact with the cold
sore. You surely would not want to spread the virus all over your body
because of your negligence. Moreover, you should also remember to keep
your hands clean all the time. Wash your hands properly before and after
the application to reduce the chances of spreading the infection to
other people you encounter. Herbal treatments such as tea tree oil and
sage are some of the best antiseptics for your cold sore. However, you
may want to consult your physician first if you have any allergies or
these treatments have complications to other medications you are taking.
Seeking medical advice can help you avoid the cold sore to cause further
damage on your skin. When it comes to dealing with pain, you may use
over the counter painkillers such as paracetamol and aspirin. You may
also ask the local pharmacy for anesthetic agents like benzocaine to
help you ease the pain. Lastly, all these medications should be
accompanied with enough rest. Keeping your body properly hydrated can
also help your body heal naturally. |
