Cold sores are a type of facial lesion that is found either on the lips or else on the skin in the area immediately adjacent to the mouth. The herpes simplex virus causes cold sores. After a first breakout often during childhood, the virus may lay dormant for years, but it can come active at anytime. Triggers include fever, infection, stress, sun or windy weather. Cold sores are contagious so take care not to spread them by contact.
Symptoms of cold sores
- Painful blisters on or around the lips or mouth
- Tingling prickling or itching on the lips or mouth
- Fever and swollen neck glands with the first outbreak only
- Pain and blistering on the soft roof of the mouth, tonsils, and throat (more common in adults)
- Muscle aches and pains
- Decreased energy
- Difficulty breathing
Prevention of cold sores
- Get a new toothbrush after you had cold sores.
- Wear a hat and use a sun block on your lips if sun appears to trigger cold sores.
- Take 500 to 1000 milligrams of amino acid daily. Or eat foods such as kidney beans, and corn.
- If stress seems to bring on cold sores find ways to relax exercise and practice yoga or meditation.
- Don't share table ware towels or razors.
- Don't share lip products or kiss anyone during an outbreak.
- Don't touch an infected area
- Don't touch a cold sore and touch your eye this could lead to a serious eye infection.
Home remedies for cold sores
Cold sores most often clear by themselves in 7 days .you cant cure them, but the following are home remedies for cold sore pain.
- Apply an ice cube to the sore point for a few minutes at a time.
- Don't eat any sour, spicy or acidic food as they could make the sores worse.
- Use a lip salve or plain petroleum jelly to ease dryness and prevent cracked lips
- Vitamin E, applied topically, will provide pain relief.
- People who have added yogurt to their daily diet have discovered that they don't get cold sores, or very few. Yogurt seems to stimulate the immune system.
- Using zinc has been reported to reduce the duration of cold sores. Applied topically, it speeds healing. Zinc tablets may also help, but don't take more than 15 mg for more than a week or so without medical supervision. Take up to 60 mg a day for the first week.
Identifying the need of Home remedies for curing Cold Sores
- If you have cold sore ad feel any eye pain, or if your vision is affected.
- If you get sores and a fever of 100 degrees or higher with chills
- If your cold sores last longer than 2 weeks or keep coming back often
