Cold sores or fever blisters are small blisters or group of small blisters on the lip or around the lip and mouth. Cold Sores are appeared to be red, swollen and sore, cold sores may open break and there may be leakage of clear fluid and then it scab over after a few days. Cold sores contain the name cold in it, but it is not related to the cold. It is caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), studies say that 90% of the adults all over the world tests positive for the herpes simplex virus. 

People come in contact with the herpes simplex virus when they are children or adults, elder people are not very likely to have this problem. Herpes simplex can transmit through close contact, touching or kissing can cause the spread of herpes simplex. The virus can also spread to the eyes and genitals by your own contact. Cold sores are not lethal in nature until someone is suffering from AIDS or serious disease, but sometimes in kids, they can cause serious illness. There are many people who never get cold sores throughout their lifespan and in some other cases, they can happen repeatedly. Nobody likes their face or lips covered by blisters and there are many home remedies which you can use to cure the symptoms and cure it.

1. Ice

Cold sores can cause inflammation and itchiness which can cause you uncomfortableness, applying ice can reduce the inflammation and itchiness. Ice may not actually cure the disease but it will definitely reduce the inflammation and will provide temporary relief. You can use this to get immediate relief but we recommend using further mentioned remedies to permanently cure cold sores.

2. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is known for its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Aloe Vera can help in reducing the inflammation and can cure cold sores. Aloe Vera will soothe the affected area and can also help in improving the skin around the lips and mouth. Aloe Vera is effective for many other skin diseases too.

3. Lemon Balm

It is a known fact that lemon balm can help in reducing redness and swelling which is associated with blisters and infections. You can use lemon balm to cure cold sores, lemon balm will reduce the redness and inflammation. You need 2 lemon balm tea bags and a cup of boiling water, all you need to do is just mix the lemon balm bags in boiling water and let it strain. Take a cotton ball and apply it to the area where the infection has occurred.

4. Basil

Basil can be used to heal cold sores, all you need to do is just boil some basil leaves with water and let it boil. Let the boiled basil water be cold for a few minutes and drink it. Basil is a herb so it won’t taste so good, but it definitely will help you in healing cold sores. You can also use holy basil too which is known by the name of Tulsi.

5. Stress Reduction

Medical experts say that stress can cause the herpes virus to come out of dormancy. If you are in stress then that can also cause cold sores, reducing the stress can solve this problem. There are many ways in which you can reduce stress like exercising, watching a movie etc. But the most effective way is to control stress in the first place by taking charge of your breathing.

6. Sunscreen

Sunscreen can also be used to cure a cold, sunscreen is known for moisturizing your skin and keeping your skin healthy. Applying sunscreen daily can reduce the chances of having cold sores in future and can also help in curing it. You can get sunscreen from a supermarket or online stores, just make sure that you choose a good sunscreen like SPF-30.

7. Liquorice powder

Liquorice powder which is made out of liquorice root is known to reduce the inflammation and heal the infection. You can mix the liquorice powder with water and then apply directly to the sores. Applying it in your infected area can reduce the infection and will help in healing. Basically, this powder is made of liquorice root, so you can make it at home just by crushing liquorice root.

8. Lemon tea

Lemon is a great home remedy, it is used almost for every disease which is related to infections and inflammations. Lemon contains citric acid in it and is known for reducing the infection and inflammation. Drinking lemon tea twice daily can help in curing the cold sores. Lemon Tea also helps in boosting metabolism.

9. Probiotic foods

Probiotic foods are known for fighting infections and healing diseases. Foods like yogurt and apple cider vinegar are some good probiotic foods which can be used to fight infections. Probiotic foods boost the immune system and that’s why they heal the infections and inflammation.

 10. Zinc supplements

Zinc deficiency can lead to the problem of cold sores. Zinc supplement can be used to reduce the inflammation and cure the infection, you can use a zinc supplement to cure cold sores. Zinc supplements are easily available in any medical stores or supermarket, but there are plenty of foods which are rich in zinc like spinach, chickpeas, cashews and fruits. Just make sure to take a balanced intake of zinc if you want a good result. However, in some cases, it becomes difficult to get enough zinc and other minerals from a whole natural diet in this case supplements come to play.

 11. Peppermint essential oil

Peppermint oil can be used to cure cold sores. A medical study founded that peppermint oil can remove herpes simplex virus after 3-4 hours after use. This oil will surely provide relief from cold sores as it has many healing qualities. Especially, peppermint tea is good for your throat too.

 12. Echinacea tea

Echinacea can improve and boost your immune system, Echinacea tea is mostly used when someone is suffering from cold. Echinacea can help in fighting against a virus, drinking Echinacea tea can reduce the inflammation and can cure the infection, it will boost your immune system too.

Summary:-

Cold sore is a common disease which mostly occurs to children and adults. 90% of people go through cold sores once in a lifetime and some go through it multiple times. Having a weak immune system can result in the cause of cold sores, stress, viral infection can also result in cold sores. Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus which is also a cause both oral and genital herpes, kissing an infected person or having contact with him/her can also lead to transmission of cold sores. Cold sores are not a lethal disease but it should be taken care, it is caused by a virus which leads to further infections. Eating probiotic foods, and applying lemon balms are some common and easy ways to cure cold sores.   

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