How to Get Rid of a Cold Sore?

In this article, we are discussing several methods to get rid of a cold sore. A cold sore is a skin disorder, which is triggered by herpes simplex virus (HSV). The other name of HSV is herpes labials, labial herpes or fever blisters. The labial herpes is a common condition when sores break out both on the outside and the mouth. Cold sores take a few weeks of time to settle. They act in various time periods or many times in a year as the virus remain dormant in the facial nerves. These viruses wait for the correct time to reboot and from cold sores in the mouth. While having cold sores, the skin close to the blisters or cold sores seems red, inflamed and dried.

Once in your life, you must have faced these ugly swelled blisters that are known as cold sores in or close to your mouth. There are numerous medicines available for cold sores treatment, but home remedies are safe to use. Read the article to learn the remedies to get rid of a cold sore.

Causes of Cold Sore:

• Periods
• Dehydration
• Stress
• Overexposure to sunlight.
• Injury during dental treatment.
• Weak immune system.
• Fever
• Local skin injury.
• Food allergies.

Top Remedies to Get Rid of a Cold Sore

1.) Vanilla Extract to Get Rid of a Cold Sore

Organic vanilla juice contains alcohol in it that makes it difficult for the virus to breed. You can use organic vanilla juice that is known as one of the top home remedies for cold sores. Its application can give you instant relief from the tingling feeling of the cold sores.

Things You Need:

• One spoon of organic vanilla juice.
• One cotton swab.

Steps to Follow:

• Soak a cotton swab in the organic vanilla juice.
• Smear this over the cold sores infection on lips and other areas around the mouth.
• Apply this regularly for a few times to cure cold sores.
• Regularly do this to get rid of cold sores fast.

2.) Licorice Root to Get Rid of a Cold Sore

Licorice root comprises of an element called as a glycyrrhizic acid that works miracles on cold sores. The root can stop the virus to work further to normal the condition.

Things You Need:

• One spoon of licorice root powder.
• One spoon of water.
• A few cotton swabs.
• One mixing bowl.

Steps to Follow:

• Mix one spoon of licorice root powder with half spoon of water in a bowl to get a creamy uniformity.
• Take a cotton swab to rub this mixture on the cold sores and smear a thin layer of this mixture on the lip portion.
• Let it on lips for overnight to get best results.
• Follow this every day to cure cold sores gradually.

3.) Milk to Get Rid of a Cold Sore

Whole milk overpowers the pain and hurries up the healing procedure. Immunoglobulin that is found in milk plays the role of antibodies that remove away the virus that triggers the cold sores. Whole milk also stops the outbreak of cold sores because of the presence of L-lysine in it.

Things You Need:

• One cup of cold whole milk.
• Five to six cotton swabs.
• One soft, clean and wet cloth.
• One spoon of petroleum jelly.

Steps to Follow:

• Take one cup of cold whole milk.
• Steep a cotton swab in the milk.
• Apply it straight onto the cold sores.
• Take a soft, clean and wet cloth to wipe out the extra milk from your lips.
• Wait for ten minutes.
• Replace the cotton swabs every time you smear milk on the cold sore on lips and other places inside the mouth.
• Smear the petroleum jelly on your cold sores to hydrate it.
• This home cure will help to treat the cold sores much faster.
• Do this a few times in a day to get rid of cold sores.

4.) Cold Compress to Get Rid of a Cold Sore

This cure helps to reduce the dilated blood vessels and lowers the inflammation. Its application helps incorrect blood circulation to the lips, thus lowers the redness of cold sores instantly.

Things You Need:

• One soft piece of cloth.
• Bowl having cold water.

Steps to Follow:

• Soak the piece of cloth in the cold water.
• Remove away the extra water from the wet cloth.
• Next, rub this cold and wet cloth on your cold sores on the lips slowly.
• Follow this step at least three times every day for fifteen minutes each.
• Get relaxed as you see no redness and inflammation of cold sores.

5.) Corn Starch to Get Rid of a Cold Sore

The application use of corn starch lowers the pain of a cold sore on the lip as it can balance the pH of the sore.

Things You Need:

• One spoon of corn starch.
• One spoon of fresh water.
• One small bowl.

Steps to Follow:

• Take one spoon of corn starch in a mixing bowl.
• Add one spoon of water to the corn starch and stir well.
• You can mix more water until you get a fine paste like stuff.
• Apply the paste with your fingers on the cold sores before going to bed for sleep.
• Keep it for the whole night and clean it with fresh water in the morning.
• Continue doing this procedure until your cold sore is fully removed.

6.) Peppermint to Get Rid of a Cold Sore

Peppermint oil destroys the virus that hangs around the erupted cold sores on lip and mouth. It helps to cure the cold sore faster.

Things You Need:

• One spoon of good quality peppermint oil.
• Some cotton swabs.
• Two spoons of fresh water.

Steps to Follow:

• Clean the cold sore infected area with fresh water.
• Soak a cotton swab in the fresh water and then soak it in the peppermint oil.
• This aids to dilute the peppermint oil with some water.
• Rub it on the cold sores.
• Repeat this method two times in a day.
• This will help you to heal this cold sores problem permanently.

7.) Witch Hazel to Get Rid of a Cold Sore

Witch hazel is simply available in the shop, unlike the earlier times when you had to hunt for this plant. Presented as witch hazel hydrosol, it is a pure version that helps you to get rid of cold sores fast. With the skin curing properties, its application can lower the irritation and swelling of the skin caused by cold sores.

Things You Need:

• One spoon of witch hazel.
• A few cotton swabs.

Steps to Follow:

• Steep a cotton swab in witch hazel liquid.
• Rub it on the cold sores.
• Wait for a few minutes.
• Do this step two times in a day to get rid of cold sores naturally.

8.) Basil Leaves to Get Rid of a Cold Sore

It is recognized for its antibacterial and antiviral nature, which make it a great remedy to cure your cold sores.

Things You Need:

• Fresh water.
• Basil leaves.
• A pan

Steps to Follow:

• Boil the water in a pan on medium flame with some basil leaves in it.
• Let it boil for a few minutes.
• Use a strainer to strain the liquid to get the tea.
• Have this warm tea at least two times in a day to get rid of cold sores.

9.) Petroleum Jelly to Get Rid of a Cold Sore

The use of ice can offer help from the pain that is triggered due to cold sores on lips. Petroleum jelly with its nourishing properties will cure the cold sores.

Things You Need:

• Some ice cubes.
• One spoon of petroleum jelly.
• One soft towel.

Steps to Follow:

• Rub the ice cubes slowly on the cold sores and let them rest on the cold sores as long as possible.
• After sometime, clean the extra water with a clean soft towel.
• Rub some petroleum jelly on the cold sores to hydrate it.
• Do this a few times in a day to get rid of the cold sore irritation and swelling caused because of the cracking of the skin.

10.) Oregano Oil to Get Rid of a Cold Sore

The antimicrobial nature of oregano shrub oil helps to lower the swelling of the skin and cure it by removing the virus inside the sores of the cold sores.

Things You Need:

• A few drops of oregano essential oil.
• Two to three cotton balls.

Steps to Follow:

• Soak a cotton ball in the oregano essential oil.
• Rub this slowly on the cold sores.
• Do this method regularly to get rid of cold sores easily.

Additional Tips to Treat Cold Sore:

• Always clean your hands before having food and, after rubbing your nose as well as after going to the bathroom to eliminate the spread of viruses.
• Do not consume drinks like sodas, coffee, soft drinks, and any sugar related drinks as they contain caffeine.
• Do not use antibiotics as it lowers your immunity, and does not remove the viruses.