How to Clear Up Severe Cold Sores

A cold sore can be both uncomfortable and an eyesore. Cold sores, a form of herpes simplex 1, are very common and appear as swollen swollen, painful blisters on the lips, in the mouth, or around the mouth and nose. Cold sores generally take seven to 10 days to completely heal. Prescription medicine and natural remedies can both be used to reduce the discomfort and duration of the outbreak. Although the herpes virus stays in the body permanently after infection, preventative measures like reducing stress and eating a balanced diet can reduce the occurrence of future cold sore outbreaks.

Instructions

• 1

  Identify the early symptoms of an outbreak. At the start of a cold sore, the lips might tingle, itch or hurt. The skin may also appear bright red before the blistering begins. If this is your first outbreak, you may also have a fever, swollen lymph nodes, and cold or flu-like symptoms.

• 2

  Consult your physician. Doctors can prescribe medication that can reduce the pain and duration of the outbreak. Generally, the sooner you can take the medication after the first symptoms of a cold sore, the better. It can be helpful to have a prescription on-hand so that you may begin taking it immediately after noticing one of the symptoms of an impending cold sore. If you suffer from frequent herpes attacks, prescription medications can suppress the virus and reduce the number of recurrent outbreaks.

• 3

  Apply topical remedies. Over-the-counter gels can be used to protect the blister as it heals and reduce the pain associated with the blister. For natural solutions, apply ice directly to the skin when the symptoms first appear and reapply frequently throughout the first day; ice may halt the blister from forming. Likewise, dab the area with aloe vera gel, witch hazel or a damp black tea bag at the onset of the cold sore to cleanse the area and inhibit growth. Once the cold sore reaches the watery blister stage apply corn starch to dry it out. When the cold sore has a scab, use petroleum jelly to prevent it from breaking prematurely.

• 4

  Modify your diet. Common foods like caffeine, sugar, chocolate, wheat, oats, nuts and tomatoes can trigger cold sores and should be avoided during an outbreak. Some people are sensitive to the amino acid arginine found in peanuts and almonds; if you are sensitive, consuming these foods may cause a herpes attack. Additionally, drinking large amounts of coffee or eating too much sugar can also make a cold sore worse. Avoid vegetables in the nightshade family such as tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes and bell peppers -- these vegetables contain nicotine, another herpes trigger.

• 5

  Get plenty of rest. Outbreaks are frequently triggered by fatigue, stress or a compromised immune system. Get proper amounts of sleep and slow down when you have a cold sore; taking time to rest will give your body to the chance to heal. Avoid extreme temperatures and stay out of the wind, as sunlight and chapping can exacerbate cold sores.