How To Prevent And Treat Cold Sores Naturally

Once you have contracted the herpes virus, it is with you forever, but remains dormant in your body, and only breaks out when your immune system is low.

First, you feel a tingling or itching sensation on your lip. You look in the mirror and see nothing. A few days later, the itching is more severe and you realize you have a cold sore. The herpes virus, so easy to spread and so difficult to eradicate, can be avoided. But once you have contracted it, all you can do is keep it from developing into a cold sore naturally. Read more in today’s article on how to prevent and treat cold sores naturally!

A healthy immune system is key

Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus, which is spread in two ways.

From mouth to mouth (by kissing)
From sharing contaminated objects (toothbrushes, glassware, makeup…)

Once you have contracted the virus, it is with you forever. But don’t worry – it can stay dormant in your nervous system, and never turn into a cold sore again. To do this, you need to have a strong immune system.

If you contracted the virus, it is likely that at the time of contact, your natural defenses were low. The virus was able to penetrate your body, and there it is still.

However, if you want to avoid suffering from another cold sore, which can be very annoying and embarrassing, you need to start taking better care of your immune system. How? With a healthy diet and exercise.

Other triggers for cold sores are:

Stress
Exposure to sunlight
Lack of sleep

Treatment to reduce cold sores naturally

There are not many home remedies for cold sores because little is known about the virus itself. Still, many people have been able to say “goodbye forever” to cold sores, thanks to these 100% natural treatments. Are you ready to find out what they are?

Ice cream to naturally treat cold sores

This is one of the most popular ways to treat a cold sore outbreak. All you have to do is take an ice cube and place it over the area where you are in pain.

Hold it there for 10 minutes, or until the ice cube is completely melted. Repeat this trick after two hours.

The ice will reduce inflammation in the area and ease your pain. This treatment only works while the blisters are still intact (before the wound opens and begins to seep, which is where the virus spreads most easily).

Heat wrap to naturally treat cold sores

This should be used in the second phase of an outbreak of a cold sore when the blisters open and seep. It is very important that you avoid contact with your partner or children during this phase because you can easily spread the virus to them.

You should also separate your personal care and makeup products from other people in the household. Try using one of the following heat wraps on your lip.

A freshly ironed towel.
A cloth dipped in warm water.

Tea bags to naturally treat cold sores

Here is another option for the phase in which the blisters begin to open. A used tea bag can be very useful. Make a tea, as you would normally do, with black tea. Do not throw away the tea bag. Let it drain and cool for a minute (you do not want to burn the area where you are in pain).

Apply the tea bag to your lip using light pressure until the bag cools. Wait two hours and then repeat this treatment.

Essential oils to naturally treat cold sores

You can choose between peppermint and lemon, the most effective against cold sores. But any essential oil you have at home will be useful.

Apply a few drops to a piece of cotton wool and apply it to your cold sore. It will soothe the area and relieve discomfort.

Sugar to naturally treat cold sores

Keep in mind that this remedy may sting a little. However, it is too effective to reject. Put a few grains of sugar on the blisters from your cold sore. Not only will it dry out the blisters and reduce pain, it will also remove any bacteria in the area.

Herbs to naturally treat cold sores

In this case, you have two options, internal and external use. First, you can use an herbal tea, and secondly, you apply the herb directly on your lip. The most common herbs used for cold sores are:

Sage
Valerian rod
Mint
Echinacea

Drinking tea made from these herbs gives you a stronger immune system and fights viruses, making you more resistant to microorganisms that transmit disease.

If you just want to use them locally, prepare the herbal tea as you normally would and soak a cotton ball in the liquid. Press it on the wound. You will see that this treatment dries out a cold sore faster than any other option.

Sea salt to naturally treat cold sores

This is the most powerful technique of all. Maybe you’ve already tried it the last time you had a cold sore, so you already know what we mean. But you have to be pretty strong to stick to it.

Still, it’s really worth it. You have 3 options available to you:

Salt and water

Mix a tablespoon of sea salt with a few drops of water until a dough is formed. Apply it to the wound with a cotton swab and let it sit for as long as you can. Rinse with warm water. Do this three times a day.

Salt and toothpaste

Instead of mixing sea salt with water, try using a little toothpaste instead. Put it on the wound at night and rinse in the morning.

Salt and lemon

Cut a small piece of lemon and sprinkle with salt. Place this on your cold sore using a light tap for as long as you can. It’s going to be very painful! Repeat (if you can) a different time, every day.