Cold Sore Treatment

With millions of sufferers worldwide it is almost certain that whoever discovers a cure for cold sores will have struck the jackpot, but given the advances that have taken place in medicine over the last few decades it is surprising that more progress has not yet been made. Research has shown that natural cold sore treatment can be just as effective as some of the medicinal products currently available, but with potentially unpleasant side effects experienced by some, not to mention the relatively high cost, many cold sore sufferers turn to alternative treatments to ease their symptoms.

While most cold sore treatments are based on the prevention of outbreaks, there are measures that can be taken to prevent them too. Once infected with the herpes simplex virus it remains with us for life, and prevention is based on the fact that when the immune system in an optimal condition, it can suppress the virus. However, if it becomes compromised due to infections such as a cold or flu, or anything else that means the immune response is not what it should be, the virus can awake from its dormant state, which is when our problems begin.

Keeping the immune system in top condition means taking regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, avoiding prolonged stress and ensuring adequate sleep. These are all straightforward enough, although we may have to break bad habits that have been with us for life.

If the immune system does become weakened enough for a cold sore outbreak to occur, we should then switch our focus to relieving the symptoms and promoting fast healing. Many sufferers have found that L-lysine helps to reduce the frequency and the severity of an outbreak and can be taken either in through diet, as a supplement or as a topical treatment. Some people swear by taking it regularly as a supplement and immediately doubling the dose when the tingling is first experienced to help shorten recovery.

Once the blisters have formed compounds such as phenol, tannic acid or zinc can help, possibly though possessing antiviral properties and it is often useful to apply a lip balm to moisturize the infected area to keep the skin soft and prevent cracking. Other useful natural treatments include herbal antiseptics such as tea tree oil and safe, while violet can act as a sedative.

While medical advances are not progressing as fast as would be desirable, there are still plenty of treatment options available to anyone suffering from cold sores. However, many are easy to come by and cheap and can be used to help minimize the effect of a cold sore outbreak on your life.

While many people insist on trial and error to find what works best for you, Grace Melgarejo tried all the remedies she heard of after suffering acute cold sores for seven years. She has written a book with a cold sore treatment strategy designed to rid you of cold sores in three days. It is available as an instant download, so you can start using Grace’s treatments immediately.

Click here for more on Grace's cold sore treatment strategies