Cold Sores And Its Treatments

Cold sores are known to follow a natural cycle. The duration from the start of the cold sore to the healing process may vary from person to person and on the weather conditions as well, but on an average cold sores are known to heal in a time period of ten to fourteen days. Even the cold sores are left unattended to, they take the same time to come to the healing phase.

However, only the person suffering from cold sores has the idea of how painful and irritating the situation can be when one is affected by the disease. The fourteen days can seem like a lifetime to someone who is suffering from the disease. The sores start with a small red blister, that further develops into a large sized blister. Also, several other blisters form around the affected area, and sometime during the completion of the cycle, they all combine to form a bigger blister. Liquid continues to seep out from the sore, thus making it look even worse.

Although there is no complete cure for cold sores until now, there are a few medications you can use to cure them temporarily and prevent their further recurrences. Over the counter medications are a good way to do this. However, not all of these medicines are known to work. Furthermore, some may even have side effects like darkening of the skin. Natural home remedies are thus the ultimate choice, and are also preferred by most of the sufferers.

Given below are some simple tips that involve the use of natural as well as over the counter medications. Read them to inhibit any further outbreak of cold sores.

1. Application of acyclovir immediately after you have discovered the symptoms of cold sores can help you prevent it from developing any further. Zovirax is a popular over the counter medication which if applied 5 times a day for a week can be quite helpful. It reduces the overall duration of the infection.

2. Use a cold compress to sooth the skin and relieve the pain. Ice that has been wrapped with cloth is a common procedure that people follow. This simple yet very effective treatment soothes the skin and the muscles, thus relieving you of the pain and the itching feeling occurring inside.

3. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen have been found to be very helpful in these situations, and are also very effective pain relievers.

4. Hygiene is very important for someone suffering from cold sores. If you are infected by cold sores, do not touch any other part of the body until you have washed your hands thoroughly with a powerful antiseptic hand wash. Furthermore, do not drink anything from the same cup that has been used by someone suffering from cold sores. This may cause you to be infected with the virus within a week's time.

5. Refrain from kissing or any other kind of oral contact from the person suffering from cold sores. If you are suffering from the disease yourself, it is advised that you refrain from making any close contacts with people.

6. It is very important for you to change your toothbrush once you find yourself infected with cold sores. Also, after the cold sores has been completely cured, change to a new toothbrush again.

Since the medical industry is yet to find a cure to eliminate cold sores completely, home cold sore remedies seem to be the only way of relief for people suffering from this disease. Other cold sores treatments involve the use of over the counter medications and also some precautions.