How to get rid of a cold sore
Are you wondering how to get rid of a cold sore? Cold sores are painful and bothersome. They are blisters that are not wanted on your face. Many people have cold sores and want them to disappear. The problem is, they do not go away overnight.
Knowing how to get rid of cold sores is necessary for most of us. We have some tips and helpful information on how to get rid of a cold sore.
Herpes simplex virus is the virus that causes us to have cold sores. You can pass it to others, and it is extremely contagious. There are 50% of adults in the United States are infected with this virus.
Most of us will never actually have symptoms, even if we have them already. If the virus causes cold sores, then it can spread quickly from one person to another.
You can also spread the virus by kissing, makeup sharing, eating after someone, razors, toothbrushes, towels, and drinking after someone.
Performing oral sex while you have a cold sore can cause your infection to get worse and to spread rapidly.
It is most contagious when you have a fever blister, and the blister starts to ooze. When you have a cold sore, the one thing we all wish is that it would go away overnight.
How do I get rid of a cold sore overnight?
Cold sores cannot be cured overnight. They will not simply go away by the next day. There is no cure for cold sores.
If you are getting cold sores more often, you should talk to your doctor and see if they can prescribe some prescription medication to you.
There are antiviral tablets and creams they could prescribe for your cold sores. Most cold sores with treatment will go away in about one week.
Knowing how to get rid of cold sores is helpful. However, certain tips and tricks do not always work. Here are a few other ways that you can get rid of cold sores.
What is common in cold sores?
Pain and fever are common with cold sores. You can take ibuprofen to help with your fever and help ease the pain. Antiviral creams can help your healing. Your doctor can prescribe these topical creams.
There are also cold sore patches available to help heal your cold sores. You should avoid stress, sunlight and do not over-exert yourself.
Staying hydrated will help your body and your cold sore recover quicker.
Mouthwash may be helpful, but it may cause some stinging to your cold sore. Avoid salty or acidic foods, also sugar, fried foods, and soda.
Another tip on how to get rid of cold sores is to always wash your hands during the day or after being exposed to any outside germs.
Do not touch your cold sores, and make sure you have sunscreen and lip balm if you are going outside.
Once you have a cold sore, the next thing you want to do is make it go away. There may be some home remedies that you have tried. Knowing how to get rid of a cold sore is vital when you get them.
What kills a cold sore?
The cold sore healing process may seem to take forever, especially when you have one. The American Academy of Dermatology tells us that the healing time for cold sores is around 2-10 days.
Many home remedies include bee propolis and kanuka honey. These may help fight the infections. Treating cold sores with ice, cold compress, or pain relievers can also help ease pain and swelling.
What triggers off a cold sore?
The herpes simplex virus causes cold sores. If you have the virus inside of you, you can have cold sores develop. Many things trigger cold sores.
Cold sores can be triggered by exposure to sun, cold wind, a cold or any other illness, weak immune system, hormone levels, and stress.
If you have never had a cold sore, do not contact someone who has one, especially skin-to-skin. When you get a cold sore, you want to make sure you know the cause of them.
Knowing the cause of the cold sores will help reduce the number of cold sores you will get. There are antiviral medications that may help prevent cold sores, but not guaranteed.
Does toothpaste help cold sores?
The Wound Care Society website discusses whether or not toothpaste will help cold sores.
They tell us that putting toothpaste on cold sores in the fluid-filled blister phase can numb or dry out the blisters.
Toothpaste may keep the cold sores from growing any larger as well. Most toothpaste has an ingredient that is believed to help with cold sore blisters.
The Wound Care Society also mentioned adding salt to the toothpaste and apply this mixture before bedtime. Leaving it on overnight can help your cold sore heal faster.
There is no scientific confirmation that shows toothpaste helps to cure cold sores. Of course, if you keep having cold sore breakouts, see your doctor and make a note of the triggers that may have caused the breakout.
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Summary
To sum it all up, how to get rid of cold sores can be a useful tool for you.
Let’s face it. No one wants cold sores on their mouths. They are annoying and make you feel hideous and like hiding from the world.
Knowing how to get rid of cold sores is not only helpful but can turn your day around. Cold sores can be caused by environmental factors, stress, and more.
Getting rid of cold sores is not that difficult but may be slower than you thought. Contacting your primary care provider or dermatologist may be a great way to get you more information on how to get rid of a cold sore.
They may provide you with medications to help stop the spreading of the cold sore and begin the healing process.
Disclaimer: This article is not the official guide to getting rid of cold sores but is based on the author’s research or own personal experience.
