Imagine yourself gearing up for a big day and then you suddenly feel that tingling sensation on your lips warning you of an impending cold sore outbreak. No need to panic, there are many ways to get rid of those unsightly and painful blisters in no time at all.

Cold sores generally go away and heal on their own. But it may take two weeks or so if you don’t do anything to hasten the healing process. If you can’t wait for your cold sores to naturally heal, here are several tips to help you get rid of them fast.

Don’t Eat Acidic Foods

Cold sores can be quite painful, and if you eat acidic foods such as citrus fruits or tomatoes, they can just irritate your skin and cause you more pain. Although many acidic foods contain vitamin C that can help boost your immune system to fight off the infection, you might want to opt for vitamin C supplements instead.

Cold Compress

If you’re in a hurry for your cold sores to heal, try applying a cold compress. You can use a wet towel or an ice pack. Do this at least thrice a day for about ten minutes at a time. This will help lessen the pain, as well as reduce the swelling and redness.

No Picking

Picking at your cold sores is not a good idea. For one, the virus can transfer to your hands and cause herpes blisters to grow on your fingers. That’s called herpetic whitlow. More importantly, when you pick at your cold sores, they may not heal right away. Your cold sores might even get infected with bacteria, which is another problem.

Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers

It’s alright to take pain relievers if you have cold sores. Some people experience so much pain during cold sore outbreaks that they can no longer eat or drink properly. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help lessen your pain, as well as reduce the swelling caused by cold sores.

Cold Sore Creams

Cold sore creams can help lessen your pain and provide relief against cold sores. If you apply the cream during the early stages of a cold sore outbreak, you can shorten the healing time by several days.

Home Remedies for Cold Sores

Although these home remedies can’t cure herpes, they can help provide relief and even hasten the healing process.

• Peppermint Oil

Using a cotton ball or swab, apply peppermint oil on your cold sores. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and then rinse with water. Peppermint oil is known to exhibit antiviral properties and it has been shown to be effective in fighting off the herpes virus.

• Lemon Balm Oil

Research shows that lemon balm oil can help inhibit the herpes virus. Wet a cotton swab with lemon balm oil, then apply directly on your cold sores. Allow it to dry and rinse off after 20 minutes or so. For faster healing, try this 3-4 times a day.

• Tea Tree Oil

Wet a cotton swab with tea tree oil and then dab it on your cold sores. Tea tree oil is known to possess antiviral properties. It can help fight off the herpes virus and speed up your healing.

• Hydrogen Peroxide

You can shorten the duration of a cold sore outbreak if you regularly apply hydrogen peroxide on your blisters. Hydrogen peroxide acts as a mild antiseptic, and it can help dry out your cold sores. It’s also good for preventing bacterial infection of your cold sores.

• Coconut Oil

Just like tea tree oil, coconut oil can also help with cold sores. Just apply the coconut oil on your blisters using a cotton swab. Make sure you don’t use your fingers when applying coconut oil directly on your cold sores.

• Ginger Oil

Apply a diluted mixture of ginger oil on your cold sores using a cotton ball or swab. Ginger oil has been shown to reduce oral herpes symptoms and help cold sores heal faster. The oil feels warm on the skin and can help provide relief during a cold sore outbreak.

• Eucalyptus Oil

According to a lab test, eucalyptus oil can help shorten the duration of a cold sore outbreak. Eucalyptus oil can help kill the herpes virus. For best results, apply the oil directly on your blisters four times a day.

How Is It Transmitted?

The herpes virus is one of the most contagious. Even though oral herpes is an STD, you don’t need to have sex to contract the infection. In fact, you can get infected by simply touching someone’s herpes blisters.

HSV-1 or herpes simplex virus type 1 is the cause of most cases of cold sores. It can be transmitted in various ways. Skin contact with a cold sore or herpes blister is one of the most common ways by which the disease is transmitted.

If you come in contact with the viral fluid that seeps out of herpes blisters, you can also acquire the infection. Cold sores are filled with a clear or yellowish fluid, and that fluid contains the herpes virus.

So if you wipe off the oozing fluid using your bare hands, chances are high that you’ll develop herpes whitlow too. When that happens, herpes blisters will grow on your fingers and on the meaty flesh around your nails.

Kissing and oral sex are also common ways by which the herpes virus is transmitted. When you kiss someone who has cold sores, that’s direct skin contact with the herpes blisters, which means you’ll most likely get infected too.

When someone who’s going through a cold sore outbreak gives you oral sex, you’re in danger of developing genital herpes. Although genital herpes is more commonly caused by HSV-2, HSV-1 can also cause herpes blisters to grow in your genital area.

This doesn’t mean, though, that you can no longer have sex when you have cold sores. Just make sure you avoid having your partner get in contact with your cold sores. If you’re experiencing problems with your libido, try taking Male UltraCore. It’s one of the best male enhancement supplements, and it’s packed with potent natural aphrodisiacs.

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