Over the Counter Treatments for Cold Sores

Cold sores are painful and unsightly. Most people want to get rid of the painful blisters, fast. There are many over-the-counter treatments available to treat them. Here are some effective options for cold sore sufferers.

Facts

• A cold sore and a canker sore can come from the same herpes simplex virus, but they aren't the same thing. A cold sore is a small- to medium-size blister that appears on or around the mouth area. Cold sores can also appear in the nose. A canker sore is a virus-induced blister that is on the inside of the mouth. It usually takes 2 days to 2 weeks to heal. A cold sore, besides being red and painful, can also leak fluid.

Topical Treatments

• A topical treatment is one that is applied to the skin. There are some effective over-the-counter treatments for cold sores. Most over-the-counter treatments, however, only treat the symptoms of pain and swelling. Benzocaine is an ingredient used in many of the topical treatments. Benzocaine is a numbing agent that stops pain wherever it is applied. If you are looking for some instant topical relief, try a product with benzocaine as the active ingredient.
  Another popular ingredient for cold sore products is lidocaine. You can purchase lidocaine gel, but some say it isn't an effective pain reliever for cold sores. Menthol is, however, an effective ingredient for treating sores. It is a local anesthetic and gives sore spots a cooling feeling. Camphor works the same, but it also treats the itching that may occur during healing times. Benzyl alcohol and phenol are drying agents that will hasten the healing time of your outbreak. Use a skin moisturizer when using these two ingredients.

Supplements

• For chronic sufferers of cold sores, cold sore prevention is important. There are supplements you can take that will help your body fight cold sore outbreaks. The most popular of these is the amino acid lysine. Take lysine at the first sign of a cold sore. It will prevent further outbreaks and cause you to heal faster. Take vitamin C with antioxidants. Together they fight viral colds and boost your immune system. Vitamin A is also a potent virus fighter, especially when taken in liquid form. Don't forget echinacea. It's a good supplement that will help you heal faster.

Teas

• Sipping teas for healing and health is no new method, but it is finding new ground in alternative medicines. Alternative medicine specialists say that sipping Melissa or lemon balm tea helps heal cold sores. Other popular tea ingredients to treat cold sores are rosemary, thyme, oregano and hyssop. Brew ingredients in a cup of water and allow it to steep. You can sip the tea or dab it up with cotton balls and apply it to the cold sore.

Prevention/Solution

• There is no cure for cold sores, but you can engage in prevention. Preventive measures can limit the frequency of outbreaks. Avoid kissing people who have cold sores. Don't drink from the same glass after cold sore sufferers. Eat a balanced, nutritional diet with lots of leafy green vegetables. Don't smoke, and brush your teeth at least twice a day. Wash your hands often, and use good hygiene.