Cold Sore Treatment

Cold Sore Treatment – Treatment Available & Why Natural is The Best Way

Cold sores normally would vanish without treatment after a period of time. However, the pain and discomfort associated with cold sores make it necessary for the medical fraternity to formulate drugs and medications to treat them. Since cold sores cannot be cured by modern cold sore treatment, most common treatment methods are meant only to relieve the sufferer of pain and discomfort. You need to be aware that there are always side effects associated with OTC creams such as redness, dryness and peeling of skin and rashes. In worst case scenarios, these effects could become permanent and scarring may also result. There are other side effects reported such as headaches, irregular heartbeat, nausea, shortness of breath when using OTC medications.

You may be surprised though that natural cold sore treatment may be the clue to complete healing from cold sores. There have been reports about fewer recurrences in cold sore sufferers who previously have regular outbreaks. All these seem to point to the effectiveness of natural cold sore treatment.

Over-The-Counter Creams and Medications

Cold sore medications such as creams can be bought over the counter (OTC). These OTC medications are primarily used to alleviate the pain and itch. Others inhibit the growth of the cold sores and accelerate healing or prevents herpes simplex virus from forming the cold sores.

1. Medications containing docosanol, an agent with inhibitory properties are effective in quickening the healing process.

2. Tetracaine, lidocaine, camphor, phenol, benzocaine and benzyl alcohol are compounds that numb the pain, itchiness and discomfort and brings relief to sufferers.

3. Medications or ointment with compounds such as zinc, thymus, L-lysine and phenol are antiviral in nature and work against the virus, disrupting it from forming cold sores.

4. Medications that moisturize cold sores like lip balms prevent them from breaking up and causing more pain. Lip balms also protect cold sore areas from excessive sunlight which aggravates the sores.

Natural Cold Sore Treatment

1. Diet

Appropriate adjustments to our diet can help to combat cold sores. Foods containing arginine such as peanuts, chocolate, almonds, cashews, pecans, peas, garlic and wheat are best avoided. Research also reveals that broccoli is useful for its inhibitory properties.

2. Physiotherapy

a. Application of thymus and lysine ointments for 6 times daily is useful to treat cold sores.

b. Topical medication containing zinc content of 0.025%, myrrh tincture, hydrastis tincture or aloe vera can also be applied on the affected areas.

c. Application of ice can numb the pain and itchiness and slow down the cold sore’s development.

d. Application of tea bag will minimize the development of the cold sore lesion due to its tannic acid content which is antiviral in nature.

e. Lemon balm can be applied on the cold sores to promote healing.

3. Vitamins and Minerals

Appropriate dosages of vitamins and minerals would boost our bodies’ ability to fight cold sore virus.

a. Daily intake of vitamin A (50,000 to 100,000 International Units) is effective in treating cold sores.

b. Daily intake of 3 doses of 50 mg vitamin B complex works well against cold sores.

c. Daily intake of 500 – 1000 mg niacinamide

d. 2 hourly intake of 1000 mg vitamin C

e. Daily intake of 1 – 3 doses of 25 – 50 mg zinc

No comments:

Post a Comment