This article is about ways to get rid of a cold sore. It is a common problem that is marked by the occurrence of blisters around the mouth. A cold sore is caused by the virus known as Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). As it appears on your face, it can really make you embarrassed and can spoil your looks. You should get rid of cold sores. They usually appear on your lips, inside your lips, and on your tongue. There are various remedies that will help you get rid of cold sore, without having the need to spend lots of bucks. Read the article and learn various ways to get rid of a cold sore.
Causes of a Cold Sore:
It is important to know the main causes of cold sores to select right home remedies for cold sores. By knowing the exact cause of cold sore you can prevent the problem naturally. The sad fact is that the cold sores never leave the body once they enter as HSV-1. They travel in the body through your broken skin around or inside the mouth and stay dormant in the central nervous system.
Now, without any further discussion let’s see the causes of cold sores:
- Periods
- Local skin injury
- Stress
- Overexposure to sunlight
- Dehydration
- Injury during dental treatment
- Fever
- Weak immune system
- Food allergies
Top Home Remedies to Get Rid of a Cold Sore:
1.) Licorice Root to Get Rid of a Cold Sore
Licorice root contains a compound called glycyrrhizin acid, which works wonders on cold sores. They can stop the virus to act further to aggravate the condition.
Things You will Need to Make this Remedy:
- Licorice root powder – one teaspoon
- Water – one teaspoon
- Cotton swab – six
- A bowl
You just need to mix one teaspoon of licorice root powder with one teaspoon of water in a bowl to get a cream like consistency. Use a cotton ball or swab to apply this mixture on your cold sores and apply a fine layer of this mixture on your lip. You should leave it overnight for best results. Repeat the process every day to treat cold sores fast and naturally.
2.) Whole Milk to Get Rid of a Cold Sore
Whole milk suppresses the pain and speeds up the healing process. Immunoglobulin, which is present in milk play the role of antibodies that fight away the virus that causes cold sores. Whole milk also prevents the outbreak of cold sores due to the presence of L-lysine in it.
Things you Will Need to Make this Remedy:
- Whole milk – one cup
- Cotton swab – six
- A soft, clean and wet towel
- Petroleum jelly – one teaspoon
Take one cup of whole milk refrigerated for some time in the refrigerator. Directly soak a cotton swab in the milk and apply it on the cold sores generously. Use a soft and wet towel to dab out the excess milk from the lips. Leave it on for ten minutes. Keep on changing the cotton swabs every time you apply it on your cold sore on the lips and other places around your mouth. Milk can dehydrate your skin so apply the petroleum jelly on the cold sores to moisturize it. This is one of the fastest home remedies to get rid of a cold sore. Repeat the process for three days to get rid of cold sores naturally.
3.) Organic Vanilla Extract to Get Rid of a Cold Sore
The organic vanilla extract is one of the most effective home remedies to get rid of a cold sore. It contains alcohol in it, which makes difficult for the virus to grow. It is highly recommended that you should use only organic vanilla extract. Soon after using this remedy you will get relief from the tingling sensation of the cold sores.
Things You will Need to Make this Remedy:
- Organic vanilla extract – one teaspoon
- A cotton swab – six
Directly soak a cotton swab in the organic vanilla extract. Now, apply this over your cold sores on lips and other areas around the mouth. Repeat this treatment every day at least three times to treat cold sores naturally. Keep doing this to get rid of cold sores completely.
4.) Peppermint Oil to Get Rid of a Cold Sore
Peppermint oil is yet another effective home remedy to kill the virus that floats around the erupted cold sores. It helps to heal a cold sore faster.
Things You will Need to Make this Remedy:
- Good quality peppermint oil – one tablespoon
- Cotton swab –six
- Freshwater – as per the requirement
Before applying the remedy, rinse the cold sore affected area with normal fresh water. Soak a cotton swab in the fresh water and then soak it in the peppermint oil. This will help dilute the peppermint oil in the water. Directly apply it to the cold sores. Repeat this remedy two times every day to treat the cold sores problem effectively.
5.) Witch Hazel to Get Rid of a Cold Sore
Witch hazel is another effective solution for the cold sore problem. It is easily available in the market. You will find it as witch hazel hydrosol which is a distilled version. It will help you treat the problem quickly and naturally. Witch hazel has great skin healing property that you can use to reduce the irritation and inflammation of the skin particularly affected by the cold sores.
Things You will Need to Make this Remedy:
- Witch hazel – one teaspoon
- Cotton swab – five
The process of using witch hazel is quite simple as you just need to soak a cotton swab in witch hazel. Then, directly apply it on the cold sores. Leave it on for few minutes. Repeat this process at least one time every day to get rid of cold sores fast and naturally.
6.) Aloe Vera Gel to Get Rid of a Cold Sore
If you are looking for instant relief from the cold sores problem then you must grab some Aloe Vera gel. It is one of the most popular home remedies for cold sores treatment. It contains antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which help you inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. The skin healing properties of Aloe Vera gel can easily soothe the cold sores.
Things You will Need to Make this Remedy:
- Aloe Vera gel – one teaspoon
You will need to take the Aloe Vera gel and then directly apply it on the cold sores. Leave it on for ten minutes. Repeat this remedy at least two times a day to get rid of cold sores faster.
7.) Ice and Petroleum Jelly to Get Rid of a Cold Sore
The ice and petroleum jelly can be really effective if used together. The ice is quite useful in treating the pain that is caused due to cold sores. On the other hand petroleum, jelly with its moisturizing properties will heal the cold sores naturally.
Things You will Need to Make this Remedy:
- Ice cubes – two
- Petroleum jelly – one teaspoon
- A soft towel
You just have to apply the ice cubes on the cold sores and keep it on the sores as long as possible. When you are done just pat dry the extra water with a soft towel. Now, apply the petroleum jelly on the cold sores to moisturize it properly. Repeat this remedy several times a day to get rid of the pain and irritation caused due to the cracking of the skin.
8.) Garlic to Get Rid of a Cold Sore
Garlic is yet another useful remedy to treat cold sore as it has natural antibiotic properties. It can help you reduce the swelling and inflammation of your skin. It also allows the faster healing of the cold sores naturally.
Things You will Need to Make this Remedy:
- Garlic – eight cloves
To use garlic as a cold sore remedy just peel the garlic cloves and slice them. Simply, hold the garlic slices on your cold sore until it reduces the tingling sensation. Repeat this process two times a day to get rid of the pain of cold sores.
9.) Oregano Essential Oil to Get Rid of a Cold Sore
The oregano essential oil has antimicrobial properties which help you reduce the swelling of the skin. It can effectively heal the problem by killing the virus inside the blisters of the cold sores.
Things You will Need to Make this Remedy:
- Oregano essential oil – three drops
- Cotton swab – three
Soak a cotton swab in the oregano oil and apply this on your cold sores. Repeat this process every day to treat cold sores easily.
10.) Basil Leaves to Get Rid of a Cold Sore
Basil leaves contain antibacterial and antiviral properties, which can help you treat your cold sores fast. It is one of the best remedies for cold, cough and fever.
Things You will Need to Make this Remedy:
- Basil leaves – eight
- Freshwater – one cup
- A pan
Add basil leaves in boiling water and boil for five minutes. Then, just strain the liquid to get the basil tea. Simply, drink this tea at least two times every day to get rid of a cold sore.