Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Mouth sores can be uncomfortable, itchy, and even embarrassing. This is something you don't want to have to deal with. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat cold sores. Even better, there are ways to stop the growth and prevent the sore from appearing in the first place.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Preventing cold sores

1. 

   Avoid triggers that trigger cold sores. There are many factors that can cause a cold sore, and it's best to be careful when the cold sore season arrives. Stress and lack of sleep can also cause cold sores, so make sure you get a good night's sleep.
   • Having a cold, fever or flu increases the risk of cold sores because the immune system becomes weaker. Therefore, you need to make sure to replenish your body with many essential vitamins.
   • Menstruation, pregnancy, and hormone changes can trigger cold sores. There's no way to stop these factors, of course, but you can be prepared for a cold sore to come.
   • Stress can trigger a cold sore, so make an effort to relax. Take some time during the day to meditate, take a deep breath or simply enjoy a warm cup of tea, as long as you feel more relaxed.
   • Fatigue can trigger a cold sore, so you need to get enough sleep. Take a nap when needed. Caffeine may help reduce fatigue, but it won't help fight cold sores. A cold sore is your body's way of telling you that you're lacking sleep, so the best thing you can do is go to sleep.
   • Too much sun exposure can irritate the mouth and cause cold sores. If your lips are exposed to too much sun, you should apply ice to your lips for a few minutes, as soon as possible. Also, look for a sunscreen lipstick or lip balm, with an SPF of 15 or higher, and apply it regularly throughout the day.

2. 

   
   
   Detect cold sores before the disease appears. Recognizing the signs of a cold sore will help you act quickly before it develops. There are many signs to help you recognize (of course, having one of these is not sure if you have a cold sore, but you still need to be more alert):
   • Pain, throbbing, burning, itching, numbness, and pain around the lips mean the mouth sores are forming.
   • Fever and other cold and flu symptoms often accompany mouth sores, which is why cold sores are also known as "fever blisters".
   • Drooling and increased salivation can be signs of a cold sore coming on.

3. 

   
   
   Prevent cold sores from developing. The aura phase of a cold sore lasts about 6 to 48 hours before it becomes apparent. During this time, you can use the following methods to prevent cold sores from forming on your lips. This is also the best time to stop the cold sore, rather than waiting for it to spread and become uncomfortable.
   • Use an ice pack or cold pack. Do this once an hour or as often as possible.
   • Put the tea bag in hot water, let it cool, then apply it to the irritated lips. Mouth sores thrive at high temperatures, so make sure to wait for the tea bag to cool completely before applying it to your lips.

4. 

   
   
   Protect lips from the sun. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.Reapply regularly throughout the day.

5. 

   Keep healthy. Colds do not cause cold sores, but can irritate them. When the body is tired due to fever, cold or flu, the immune system will weaken and fight off the disease, creating conditions for cold sores to develop.
   • Make sure you get enough vitamins. Eat a variety of colorful vegetables, and plenty of salmon, fruits, and nuts.
   • Drink white tea and green tea. Both teas are rich in antioxidants, which help boost the immune system and purify toxins from the body.
   • Drink a lot of water.
   • Get enough sleep.
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Part 2 of 4: Taking medications

1. 

   Use creams to relieve pain and cold sores. Keep in mind that many topical creams are only symptom relief and do not help with recovery. Try the following topical creams:
   • Docosanol (Abreva) is FDA-approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and available as an over-the-counter drug.
   • Topical Acyclovir and Penciclovir (Denavir) may be prescribed by a doctor.

2. 

   See your doctor for an antiviral prescription. Medicines help reduce the time of cold sores and come in different types, but you will need a prescription from your doctor. Your doctor can prescribe oral pills or creams, but creams usually work the most effectively and quickly.
   • You can try Acyclovir (Xerese, Zovirax).
   • There is also Famciclovir (Famvir).
   • Or maybe try Valacyclovir (Valtrex).

3. 

   Pain relievers that contain ibuprofen or tylenol. This medicine does not treat cold sores, but it will help reduce the discomfort associated with the cold sores. Remember that cold sores can still be contagious even if you don't feel pain, so be careful. advertisement

Part 3 of 4: Using home remedies

1. 

   Apply aloe vera to irritated lips. Aloe vera helps reduce pain and speed recovery, so it will be a great ingredient to help heal cold sores.

2. 

   Use an ice cube or ice pack to cool the area. This will reduce swelling and redness and reduce the symptoms of cold sores. Even so, applying a cold compress will not speed up recovery.

3. 

   Apply Visine to reduce redness. Visine doesn't really help your cold sores heal faster, but it can make you feel better, so it is the right choice for reducing cold sores symptoms.

4. 

   Apply moisturizing wax. Moisturizing wax helps the cold sore heal quickly and protects it from infection.

5. 

   Use a cotton swab to wet the sore, then dip a cotton ball in salt or baking soda and apply it to the sore. Allow a few minutes for the salt to absorb and drain and rinse. Repeat as many times as needed. Salt can cause you to feel slightly burning. advertisement

Part 4 of 4: Understanding cold sores

1. 

   Understand that cold sores are caused by multiple strains of the Herpes simplex virus (HSV). Including HSV-1 and HSV-2, both can affect the face and genital area. Once infected, the Herpes virus will stay with you for life. There's no way to get rid of them, but you can reduce the frequency of the virus.

2. 

   Take care to avoid the spread of HSV virus. This is why it's important to identify the signs of a cold sore to avoid infecting others.
   • Do not share eating utensils or drinks with others, especially if a cold sore is happening.
   • Do not share towels, razors or toothbrushes.
   • Do not share lipstick, lip balm, or lip balm.
   • Do not kiss other people while they have a cold sore. You can switch to wind kisses or Eskimo-style kisses until the mouth sores go away.
   • Oral sex, especially during a cold sore, can spread the HSV virus from the lips to the genitals or vice versa.
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Advice

• Wash your hands often when you have a cold sore. You shouldn't touch the sore with your hands, but just in case, wash your hands as well as possible when possible.
• Strengthening the immune system by adding vitamins and drinking white tea, green tea, ... will help prevent cold sores in the first place.
• Use a cotton swab to apply lipstick or lip balm instead of directly to the lips.
• Look for lipsticks and a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and apply it regularly.
• Be aware of the impending cold sore (listed above) to stop it before it forms on your lips and avoid ugly sores that embarrass you.
• Use a cotton swab to apply aloe vera to the sore. Then, place a small tissue over the sore. Repeat this process several times.
• Don't touch or lick your lips, as this will take a long time to heal.
• Use concentrated lemon juice to treat cold sores quickly.

Warning

• Using salt to clean a cold sore can cause irritation.
• Do not touch the sores with your hands. This will make the cold sore heal longer and increase the risk of transmission of the virus.
• Do not cover the sore with makeup. Foundation and concealer only irritate the sores.
• Salty or acidic foods will make you more uncomfortable when they come into contact with the cold sore. Citrus fruits, for example, can cause significant irritation.
• Do not reuse cotton swabs, tissues, face towels, or towels that have been in contact with the cold sore.
• Wash and change the pillowcase every night while you have a cold sore.
• When washing the sore, be sure to NOT get the water in the eyes (under any circumstances). Water from a cold sore if it gets into the eye will carry HSV virus into the eye, causing infection or corneal ulcer.
• If the cold sores are severe and often recur, see your doctor or dermatologist.
• During a cold sore, don't kiss or have oral sex to avoid spreading the virus.