The skin and the nervous system are the venues for a viral infection attack, which in turn results in cold sores or fever blisters. This highly infectious disease is caused by herpes virus which can lie latent in the body till it is pushed by something to get active. The fluid that comes out of impetigo has a honey color and muddy texture. Canker sores on the contrary are ulcers which do not spread and grows in the soft tissues of the oral cavity which are free from sore development.
Your hands must always be washed if you want to stop cold sore from spreading. To bridge the time gap of the infection outbreak you could take the help of a drug by the name of Acyclovir (Zovirax). Treatment options could span over creams, ointments and even some antiviral drugs like acyclovir or famciclovir. Treat any pain by taking paracetamol or applying witch hazel to the sore. This local application medicine is a good anesthetic too. Treatment also involves in making your immune system more tough and sturdy by ensuring a balanced diet fortified with vitamins A, C, E, zinc and iron. It is also wise to keep away from foods which are to salty or spicy or which encourage acidity and drinks which can further provoke the sores.
Prevention is preferable to cure so where possible, avoid acidic and salty foods. Stop or go moderate on foods like chocolates, peanuts, grains, peas, seeds, oatmeal and whole-wheat rich in arginine. Your focus should be a diet high in vitamin content and saying no to tea and coffee.
Take some ice and rub it on the sore for a few minutes and do this again every hour and this is one of the very effective home remedies for the management of cold sores. Another way would be to take a few tea bags and place them on the sores for a few minutes and continue this every hour. Another option is to hold a warm tea bag on the blisters for half an hour.
The application of Witch Hazel on sores will give you some relief. If you are in the sun, apply sunscreen to your lips as it may help prevent sun-induced recurrences of cold sores.
When 100ml of coconut oil, 2ml of disinfectant, and 3ml of carbolic acid are mixed together it can be effective. Some even suggest this for boils and mosquito bites.
A tried and tested cold sore remedy is having tea tree oil as a drink with herbal sage and violet. Make a mixture out of these components adding a couple of sage leaves and ginger powder and then put the whole mixture thus made in a cup of boiling water. For guaranteed vanishing of the cold sores in a matter of a couple of days, try drinking this 2 to 3 times a day.
If nothing seems to be effective probably taking 3 acidophilus pills twice a day in the morning and evening may dry and clean it up. When sores bother you often try taking 2 pills a day. This is not a complete list of home cold sore remedies by any means but those that most commonly provide relief.