Dealing with frequent cold sores can be a painful, and embarrassing time in your life. With the use of home remedies you can limit the duration, and the anguish associated with cold sores. Home remedies are often overlooked because many do not know their effectiveness. Many common household items can be used to treat your sore. Next time you get an outbreak don't go running to the store to buy some expensive ointment, stay at home and comfort your sore with natural soothing methods.
Ice - When the tingling of a cold sore first occurs immediately put ice in a plastic Ziploc bag and press it on the affected are for a solid 20 minutes. This will reduce swelling, redness, and it will halt the growth in its tracks. Ice freezes the virus and prevents it from creating new cells. It is important that you do not slide the ice around you lip, or this can spread the virus. Firmly place it in one spot until it melts.
Lemon - This household fruit is often overlooked when treating cold sores, however lemon juice is very effective in improving the appearance by drying it out and eliminating redness. If you are leaving your house for a few hours and want to help the appearance of your sore then be sure to put some lemon juice on it 10 minutes before leaving.
Tea Bag - Tea is a fantastic household item that you can use to help not only the appearance of a cold sore, but also the pain associated with it. Make a nice warm cup of tea, I prefer green but it's your choice. When the tea is done steeping take out the bag and let it cool down until it is warm not too hot. Then press it on the affected area of your lip for about 5 minutes until it goes cold. Afterwards drink your warm cup of tea. Tea has antiviral properties that kill the cold sore virus, and make the affected area blend in with your lip and look healthier. The tea that you consume will also provide benefits as it cleans out the toxins in your body which will help with the healing process.
By applying these home remedies correctly you can reduce much of the pain and discomfort associated with cold sores. The natural soothing methods will help speed up the rate of healing and get rid of that sore faster then you ever though possible. Defeat your next outbreak in a healthy natural way from home.
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Frequent cold sores are difficult to deal with when you don't know how to treat them properly. Apply the use of a good prevention program and this will help lessen the duration, pain, and frequency of cold sore outbreaks. Effective home remedies, prevention methods, and treatment help can be found at http://www.frequentcoldsores.com
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