Treating A Cold Sore - Great Healing Tips For Your Cold Sores

Treating a cold sore in a timely manner will save you days of misery. In this article you will learn how you should be treating a cold sore at each of the three main stages.

It is simply no fun having or treating a cold sore. Your body will heal your cold sores without your help, but it can take up to four weeks.

Treating a cold sore using proven and safe methods can cut the time of suffering by 50% or more. That is definitely worth the effort.

Below you will find the three primary stages of cold sores. Included you will find different ways of treating a cold sore for success depending on the stage you are in.

COLD SORE WARNING STAGE.

Of all the stages, this is the most critical one. Quick response here can stop your cold sores cold.

The herpes simplex virus is normally dormant in your nerve roots. When it becomes active to reproduce new virus, it must first wiggle its way to the surface through or along a nerve.

You can actually feel this virus movement. The target area will itch, tingle, burn or just feel dry. When you feel this it is your warning a new sore is real close.

At this point you can discourage the herpes virus by applying ice or other cold object. This alone can stop - or at least slow down - your outbreak. It may seem too simple but it works.

Also, you may have heard how lysine fights cold sores. Now is the best time to start taking 2000 to 4000 milligrams of lysine daily. Continue to do so until your cold sores are gone.

Lysine is a safe and cheap way of treating a cold sore from the inside out.

FORMING STAGE OF COLD SORES.

Cold sores are the resulting damage caused by the herpes virus reproduction process. This begins when the virus gets to the surface and drills into the cells.

Initial signs of the damage are the formation of little red bumps resembling pimples. Swelling also occurs as the infected cells fill up with new virus.

At this stage, it is still wise to continue treating a cold sore with ice. You will continue to discourage the virus and enjoy some relief from pain and swelling.

You may also want to try using wetted then frozen tea bags instead of the ice. This will generally give you better results because tea contributes some excellent healing nutrients.

Also, begin applying garlic oil to your sore area. Garlic is a strong anti-viral remedy that also has the ability to penetrate the skin and go right down to the virus.

Using fresh garlic cloves will give you the best results. You can get garlic oil in bottles and gel-caps at the store if you want. Fresh is always your best choice, but not always the most convenient.

If you just don't like the smell of garlic, try oregano oil instead. It is also available from the store.

LONG JOURNEY OF HEALING

A sign that the damage is done is when the sore finally bursts open. Now the healing begins. The healing process can take as long as two weeks - without wise cold sore treatment.

Quit using ice now - it will slow down the healing process. Begin applying heat as often as possible and you will heal very quickly indeed.

The best way of applying heat is to use warm tea bags. Again you will benefit from the healing nutrients in the tea. Any tea works great but many prefer tea with mint in it.

Don't ever use a microwave to heat up tea bags directly - this destroys the nutrients in the tea. Only heat up in hot water.

Continue taking lysine and applying the garlic directly to the sore. It is also very, very important to constantly sterilize the sore with alcohol, peroxide - or even brandy.

PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION.

The herpes simplex virus is very contagious - to both you and others too. You will transmit this virus normally by direct contact - kissing or touching.

Do not touch the sore with bare fingers. Wash your hands after treating a cold sore.

If your cold sores are exceptionally painful, using a cold sore treatment from the store may be helpful. Look for pain numbing agents such as benzocaine or lidocaine.

Treating a cold sore, as you have seen, is not really too hard. And by doing so you can get rid of cold sores fast.

Again, keep in mind to continually cleanse the sore and your hands while treating a cold sore.

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