Cold Sores - Your Best Natural Tactics For Treating A Cold Sore

Treating a cold sore does not have to be difficult or expensive. You can do it effectively and economically using these home remedies.

You can use either internal or external remedies for treating cold sores. Your best outcome can be achieved by combining both types of remedies at the same time.

If you do, you will be amazed how quickly your outbreaks will disappear using these simple remedies.

A. EXTERNAL TREATMENTS.

Because these sores always appear on the surface, topical remedies are the most popular. Here are some proven and powerful external remedies for treating your cold sores.

1. ICE. If your outbreak is in its early stages, ice works wonders. Ice stops discomfort and swelling. And it discourages the herpes virus from replicating.

Ice will slow down (and sometimes completely stop) your outbreak if applied at the first itching or tingling sign.

2. GARLIC OIL. Use fresh crushed or cut garlic for optimal results. Start applying it as soon as you feel a sore coming on.

Garlic is very anti-virus and has the amazing ability to go right through the skin to the infection. If you do not like the smell of garlic, use oregano or mint oil instead.

3. HEAT. Once your cold sores blossom, stop the ice and use hot, moist tea bags. You are now in the healing stage. Ice slows healing, heat speeds it up.

Tea has great healing properties. Any tea will do, but mint tea is preferred. Use only hot water for warming up the tea bags. Never heat a tea bag directly in a microwave. The radiation ruins much of the benefits of tea.

4. PEROXIDE. You probably already know to continuously cleanse your cold sores. Alcohol soaked tissues are commonly used and work well.

I prefer hydrogen peroxide. It works as well as alcohol for cleansing a wound, but is also rich in oxygen molecules, which will boost your healing speed even more.

B. INTERNAL TREATMENTS.

Internally treating a cold sore will greatly boost the results of any external treatment. It is the only way of actually preventing future attacks.

Here are the two main internal methods of successfully treating cold sores.

1. LYSINE. Lysine stops the virus from getting the protein (arginine) that it needs to build new virus particles. When you accomplish this, you have just slowed down - or prevented - another outbreak.

Lysine must get into the cells for treating a cold sore. The only way for this to happen is to take in lysine orally - not using it topically on the outbreak as some companies claim.

Lysine is rich in dairy products and fish, but it is difficult to get the measured high amounts you need from food alone.

Lysine capsules are much more convenient when you need large dosages. They are cheap and easy to find. Commonly, folks take about 3000 milligrams daily during active cold sores.

2. VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS. If you get a lot of cold sores, you should be taking a good quality vitamin supplement. This is an outstanding way of treating cold sores.

Vitamins A, D and E are essential for healthy eyes and skin - and fast cell and skin repair. Vitamins B and C are the stress vitamins. They protect you from physical effects of stress.

Minerals zinc and calcium are powerful medicine against cold sores. Zinc is a well proven healing and protective mineral. You need 30 milligrams per day.

Calcium is the premier mineral for treating a cold sore. It helps keep your body in a healthy alkaline condition. This is so critical for your health your body will take it from your bones if your intake is deficient.

There you have it.

You do not need expensive store-bought ways of treating a cold sore, just some good home remedies that have proven themselves over many years.

Treating a cold sore and eliminating it quickly is as easy as giving these cold sore remedies a try.