How to Heal a Cold Sore

It never fails, right before that big dance, presentation or important event, a cold sore pops out on your lip. That tingling feeling signals that the herpes simplex virus is on the attack again. There's not much you can do to stop it, but you can try these simple remedies to try to limit how long it will last.

Things You'll Need

• Zinc
• Lysine
• Ice
• Petroleum jelly or diaper rash cream
• Emu oil or vitamin E oil
• New toothbrush

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Instructions

• 1

  Make sure the virus takes its vitamins. That's right, zap it with zinc. Check out your nearest health food store and ask for zinc. A mixture of zinc sulfate mixed with camphorated water dabbed onto the cold sore every hour or so will speed healing. Studies have also shown that taking lysine will help cut down on the frequency of cold sores. You can get lysine as a supplement, or you can get it by eating more dairy, potatoes and brewer's yeast.

• 2

  Freeze it, dry it and then protect it. Apply ice when the tingle starts; ice can decrease inflammation. Dry it out. Gently use a sterile pin to pop the blister and apply witch hazel to the deflated blister. Then add a layer of protection. You can cover the blister with petroleum jelly, or do a double whammy of dabbing on some diaper rash cream. The cream has zinc and petroleum jelly in it.

• 3

  Skip the junk food. Unfortunately, what you eat plays a role in how fast you can get rid of that cold sore. The virus needs foods rich in arginine to feed, so put that virus on a diet. That means no chocolate, beer, grain cereals or peanuts until that blister is gone.

• 4

  Try some healing oils. Emu oil is great because it sinks through seven layers of skin. Most oils only lie on the top layer. Emu oil also has great antiseptic properties; it can heal and help prevent scaring. Vitamin E oil is also good for healing.

• 5

  Try some preventative measures once you have this blister under control. Reduce stress, which can signal the sleeping virus and wake it up. Switch out your toothbrush; you don't want to reinfect yourself after you just got rid of the cold sore. In fact, when you feel the tingle, toss the toothbrush. Replace it again after the cold sore is gone.