Cold Sores: Problems, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Sore throat is something that leaves you tired and exhausted. Even if you do not do anything all the day, you feel gloomy and want to get rid of it as soon as possible. You can follow some easy ways to get rid of it before it becomes more irritating, causing issues for you. However, if you happen to end up with a cold sore in spite of all your efforts, there are simple ways to get rid of it overnight, so that you wake up in the morning feeling better and more energetic.
What is a Cold Sore or Blister?
When you bite your tong or inside your mouth, you will get a blister or a small wound over there. Cold sore is also somewhat like these blisters. It is a fever blister. Here you get small lesions or blisters inside your mouth or face. These sores can appear on your chin, cheeks, inside your nose, nostrils, lips and even on your gums. Sometimes it may appear on your palate as well.
Problems caused by Cold Sores or Fever Blisters:
- Itching and burning sensation in the mouth.
- Your mouth becomes over sensitive. So, when you eat cold, hot or spicy food you feel a burning sensation in our mouth.
- A lot of pain is also caused by these blisters.
- When they start to heal and develop the crust, the itching sensation is increased considerably
Cold Sore Causes and Symptoms:
It is caused by a virus called Herpes simplex. It is very contagious and is spread if you get in contact with an infected person. If you are infected, it is better t take the advice of a doctor and check whether it is a cold sore or just an ulcer. If the virus is active in your body, there will be a cold sore outbreak 2 or 3 times a year. Sometimes it may lie dormant till it is made active by some factors like stress, depression, deep sadness, exposure to whether conditions, changes in menstruation cycles in women etc.
Tongue lesions, fever or increase in body temperature, ulcers in the mouth, swelling of lips and glands, headache, nausea, difficulty when swallowing etc are some of the symptoms of cold sore.
How to Get Rid of Cold Sores fast?
To get rid of cold sore overnight or as soon as possible, you can follow the tricks or medical ways given below.
- Antiviral – Applying an antiviral as soon as you feel that there will be an outbreak of cold sore is an effective way to get rid of cold sores. Apply it 4 or 5 times a day for about 5 days. These creams can prevent the outbreak but cannot eliminate the virus forever.
- Benzydamine – This medicine provides you relief from pain. You can apply it orally or as a spray.
- Use antiseptic mouthwash.
- Ibuprofen and paracetamol provide you relief from extreme pain and also check the onset of fever.
Natural Ways to Treat Cold Sores:
Cornstarch:
Cornstarch paste helps in getting relief from the inflammation and the itchiness associated with cold sore. Apply it at least 4 to 5 times a day.
Garlic:
Garlic has antiviral and antiseptic properties and is great for healing cold sore. You can have a few cloves of garlic in the morning on an empty stomach and also crush it and apply it on the sore. Soon you will get relief from the sore.
Ice:
Ice is great for getting relief form irritations and such problems. It can reduce swelling and heal the cold sore. Take an ice cube and place it on the sore. This will help in reducing swelling and itching, so that you do not feel like scratching over the sore.
Licorice:
Licorice has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties because of the presence of an acid called glycyrrhizin in it. This can check the growth of virus and also help the body to counter the attack of the virus. All you have to do is to make a paste by adding water to licorice powder. Apply this on the sore and let it dry. Reapply till the sores get healed.
Milk:
Dab milk to the sore and let it dry. Apply milk several times day, till the sore is healed.
Orange oil:
Being rich in Vitamin c, orange oil helps in getting rid of cold sore. Vitamin C has the ability to heal the sore from inside and kill the virus responsible for the cold sore. You can apply this 4 or 5 times a day to get rid of the sore fast.
Peppermint oil:
Peppermint oil has antiviral properties and it also contains substances that have the power to heal cold sore without leaving any trace of it. Methanol present in this oil has great healing properties. Dab the oil on the sore with a cotton ball about 3 times a day. Gradually the soreness will vanish.
Peroxide:
Hydrogen peroxide helps in cleansing the skin from inside and is very effective when the sore starts bleeding. Dab it on the sore with a cotton ball every 3-4 hours. This will check the bleeding and dry the sore. The sore will shrink and little or no mark will be left. It also kills the bacteria near the sore.
Tea tree oil:
Dip a cotton ball in tea tree oil and dab on the sore a few times in the day and before you do to sleep at night. This will make the sore dry and disappear.
Tooth brush can be the culprit:
Whenever you get an ulcer, you must remember to change your tooth brush because it may contain the germs that carry the virus.
Vanilla:
Pure vanilla extract is one of the best remedies for cold sore. If you feel a tingle that comes before the onset of cold sore, apply this with the help of a cotton ball. Use it 4 or 5 times a day for best results.
Along with the above mentioned remedies, make sure that you eat healthy food and drink lots of water. This way your immune system remains strong and toxins will be removed from your body.
