How to Make a Cold Sore Heal Faster
Cold sores are ruthless in during outbreaks; painful, long-lasting and unsightly, anyone who suffers from recurring cold sore outbreaks knows the struggle. Often we look for ways of stopping cold sores or shorten the duration of a cold sore outbreak however we can – but figuring out what works and what doesn’t can be a hassle. We’ve compiled a list of natural, at-home remedies that you can use for how to make a cold sore heal faster today, so you can stop worrying about cold sores for good!
The first tell-tail sign of a cold sore is the tingling. Once a spot on the lip starts tingling, a cold sore is not far behind. Once the contagious blisters start forming, it’ll take up to three weeks for a scab to form and the blister to subside.
Triggering a Cold Sore
There’s several reasons why a cold sore blister may appear. While the virus lies dormant in the nerve endings, it waits for opportunities to create an outbreak, otherwise known as triggers. These include:
- Poor Diet
- Dietary Triggers (certain foods high in arginine)
- Mental & Physical Stress
- Chaffing on the Lips
- Illness
- Excessive Hormones
- Weakened Immune System
When You’re Triggered
There’s no good time to get a cold sore, in fact they always seem to appear at the worst possible times. This is especially true when you are stressed or exhausted, such as during a wedding, job interview, or other special life event. Stress can impact your hormones and immune system, which both play a large role in keeping cold sores at bay.
Because the virus lives in the nerve cells, it can sense the slightest changes in the body, including temperature, stress levels, immune strength, and pH balance. When the conditions are just right, the virus will attack. Although your body will naturally get rid of the infection caused by the virus, it will need some help in order to heal more quickly and effectively.
The cold sore virus needs three key conditions to successfully replicate:
- Plenty of Arginine, which is found in nuts, seeds, grains, and chocolate.
- A warm, moist atmosphere
- An acidic environment, which can happen when your body’s pH changes
The Power of the Immune System
The body will naturally combat the virus with the immune system. It also uses the immune system to keep the virus dormant, so boosting your immune system is key in reducing outbreaks naturally. Some ways to boost the immune system include:
- A diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, and kohlrabi.
- Garlic is a natural antibiotic. Keep supplements of it handy and take them often.
- Multivitamins can provide all the minerals your body needs for a healthy immune system.
At Home Remedies
Putting ice on a cold sore during the tingling stage can greatly delay a cold sore outbreak. Don’t keep ice applied for too long though, it can damage the skin. Another cold sore remedy is the direct applications of lemon balm have been shown to help the healing process of a blister, and salt can also be used to treat cold sore outbreaks. Simply apply salty water to the affected area using a q-tip for 30 seconds to help get faster relief.
Cold Sore Prevention
Cold sore outbreaks can also be prevented entirely. Using the Thermal Therapy Technology found in InterceptCS™ during the tingling stage, a cold sore outbreak can be avoided entirely. Discover living without cold sores now with InterceptCS™!
