Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are caused by the herpes simplex Type I virus. The virus lies dormant in nerve cells until the immune system gets run down, a person gets stressed, or he has exposure to too much sun or strong winds. Cold sores are unsightly and painful, and most people want to try to get rid of them as soon as possible.
According to the fourth edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," cold sores appear 3 to 10 days after exposure to the virus and they can last for 3 weeks. Cold sores are highly contagious.
Sometimes a person can tell a cold sore is coming on because their skin will tingle, burn or itch. Cold sores can last a while, but there are things you can do to make them heal and go away faster.
Step 1
Take a nutritional supplement. There are many vitamins and nutritional supplements that you can use to make a cold sore go away faster. The fourth edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," recommends lysine, vitamin B complex, zinc lozenges, acidophilus, colloidal silver, calcium, magnesium, essential fatty acids, a multivitamin as well as vitamins A and E.
Lysine is an amino acid that helps fight the herpes virus. Take 500mg twice a day. Vitamin B complex helps heal cold sores. Take it daily. Zinc lozenges are easily absorbed by the body and will help stimulate the immune system. Take one lozenge every three hours for the first two days. You can take colloidal silver orally or apply it on the cold sore. It has antiseptic and antibiotic properties. "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" recommends 3,000 to 6,000mg of vitamin C daily.
Step 2
Use an herbal remedy. According to the fourth edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," echinacea, red clover, lemon balm and olive leaf extract will also helpheal a cold sore faster. Apply lemon balm to the cold sore as a cream or drink lemon balm tea. Echinacea strengthens the immune system. Olive leaf extract acts as an antibiotic against viruses.
Step 3
Take an over-the-counter or prescription medication. Certain medications can help cold sores go away faster. They include Zovirax, Denavir and Abreva. Abreva is available over-the-counter and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of cold sores. Abreva helps cold sores go away faster. Zovirax, pills or liquid, and Denavir, a cream, are prescription treatments you can get from your doctor.
Step 4
Take care of yourself.Since cold sores usually pop up when your immune system is weakened, it's important to stay healthy to fight them off. This includes getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night; eating a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, lean protein and whole grains; drinking water; and drinking alcohol in moderation. Also, cold sore sufferers have been successful in controlling outbreaks by avoiding or cutting back exposure to their known triggers.
References
- Drugs.com
- Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fourth Edition; Phyllis A. Balch; 2006
