Some people are more prone to developing painful cold sores than others, and trying to get rid of cold sores can become quite a challenge for them. Cold sores are outbreaks of the herpes simplex virus that fully half of the population carries around in their bodies.
A single red blister on your lip is how a cold sore typically presents itself, and within a couple of days turns into a cluster of smaller blisters. These sores usually secrete a clear liquid, scabbing over in a few days. Cold sore sufferers frequently feel a tingle on their lip at first, later turning into more painful itching and burning sensations. Victims can also experience additional aches and pains, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and body fatigue.
Fortunately, cold sores can disappear sometimes within a couple of days, but others have been known to last as long as a couple of weeks. Herpes simplex is a highly contagious virus and it can easily spread between people. A prudent approach to take during herpes outbreaks is to refrain from eating or drinking from someone else’s dishes, kissing, and other activities that involve oral contact.
It’s not all that unusual for a big cold sore to erupt on your lip at exactly the wrong time, like before a party, date, graduation, or other big event where you may be feeling some extra stress. Other hormone changes can also trigger for cold sores. Research shows that there can be other causes for cold sores, including a compromised immune system, menstruation, and too much exposure to the sun.
The strategy to get rid of cold sores is to interrupt the infection process in its early stages whenever a cold sore breaks out and keep it from further replicating. Treating the external symptom – the cold sore itself – is important, but it won’t really afford one protection from future outbreaks by itself. A more balanced approach that also includes internal remedies usually turns out to be the best long-term plan.
Acyclovir and penciclovir are FDA-approved medications for topical application on cold sores, but the jury is still out on whether or not they’re any more effective in treating herpes simplex than organic agents and oral supplements. It’s now commonly thought that, for an adult, consumption of at least 60 grams of protein daily is the minimum amount required to help ward off cold sores. Other nutritional steps can also be taken to maintain an environment hostile to cold sore development.
As stated before, reducing excessive sun exposure can help one avoid cold sore outbreaks; calcium levels drop with exposure to the sun, and low calcium seems to trigger herpes virus activity. Many people practice stress management techniques to lower their stress level; the most popular practices include listening to music, exercising, meditating or praying, and just doing creative things that give you enjoyment like a hobby or favorite pastime.
If you follow these simple guidelines and others that have been shown to combat cold sore formation from a more holistic perspective, you, too, can get rid of cold sores and find the long-term relief you need.
