Cold Sore Treatment: How to Get Rid of Cold Sores

Cold sores always seem to pop up when you least expect them, and at the worst possible moments: job inteviews, big dates, parties, etc.. Cold sores are also known as fever blisters because they tend to make an appearance when our immune systems are weakend, such as when we are sick or under stress. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, which hides away in our nerves, just waiting to spring forth at the worst possible moment.

So it's the day before New Year's Eve and you suddenly feel that all too familiar tingle in your lip. Right about now, you're probably asking yourself: "How do I get rid of a cold sore?" Unfortunately, once a cold sore makes it's appearance, there isn't any way to make it magically vanish. Here are a few remedies for colds sores to make the outbreak as short lived as possible:

Abreva:

There are a few products on the market like Abreva, but I'm going to go ahead and suggest the name brand that has worked for me in the past. It isn't nearly as expensive as it was a while back, and if you apply it as directed, as soon as you think you're getting a cold sore, it can really work wonders. What Abreva does is it makes the walls of your skin cells stronger so that the herpes virus can't spread and become a behemoth mouth sore. I've used it in the past, and I find it to be very effective. If used at the first hint of a cold sore, you might stop the outbreak altogether.

Vinegar:

Some people swear by vinegar as a natural cold sore remedy. Apply vinegar directly to the sore, eat pickles, salt and vinegar chips, etc.. basically get as much vinegar in your system as possible. Your mouth may pucker like crazy, but it could help kill that nasty cold sore.

Vitamins:

There are some nutritional supplements that you can take to help speed your recovery time. The following dosage guidlines were found at Alternative-Medicine-And-Health.com:

L-Lysine: an amino acid that is used by the body to repair skin. For cold sores, it is suggested to take 3000 MG of Lysine at the first sign, then follow up with 1000 MG daily. There are alos topical cremes that you can use.

Vitamin C: Strengthens the immune system. Take 500 mg. daily.

Zinc: 50 mg. daily

Lactobacillus acidophilus: take three times daily, or eat yogurt. Acidophilus also helps the digestive system.

There you have it, my guide to defeating that nasty cold sore.

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