How To Get Rid Of Cold Sores
Cold sores are trouble for a number of reasons – the biggest reason is probably because it’s caused by the herpes simplex virus. Now, herpes is a condition for another day. People are more concerned with how to get rid of cold sores. With a lasting painful period of one or two weeks, there’s a reason people look for a cold sore cure.
Canker or Cold?
A lot of people refer to canker sores as cold sores, but the fact is they’re nothing like each other, save for the face that they’re both sores. See, canker sores are actually a bacterial infection and are in no way contagious, the way cold sores are. Trying to hide a cold sore with some makeup might actually make things worse rather than better. All you can do, as with the common cold is to alleviate the condition and hopefully provoke it into leaving much faster than normal.
Basic Cold Sore Cure
Well, there’s no real way to cure a symptom of a much larger issue, but there are ways of making it heal a lot faster. Covering those cold sores with a petroleum based product – that apparently helps to make it close up and heal faster. Incidentally, it also reduces the chances of a more severe bacterial infection.
Painkillers and ibuprofen can actually work wonders in controlling the pain. You don’t need anything huge for it – over the counter painkillers work just as well. There are some things you should shy away from while you’re suffering from cold sores – salty and acidic foods can aggravate the problem, not ease it.
Things to Apply
Among the many suggestions on how to get rid of cold sores includes covering them with helpful stuff – not cosmetics, but stuff like a local anesthetic. Again, like the painkillers, you don’t need something huge or doctor prescribed. An over the counter anesthetic with benzocaine can help numb up the afflicted area.
Sunscreen works surprisingly well with cold sores. It’s no cold sore cure but it’s definitely helpful. Putting some on your lips can reduce the chances that a cold sore will break open, as too much sun can actually push one into forming. Don’t just put any sunscreen on your lips – there are specific sunscreens that are made for the lips as well as lipsticks that have sunscreen.
Last Words on the Lip Sores
Cold sores are highly contagious – don’t spread the word if the word is “sore”. Unlike aids, cold sores can definitely be transmitted through kissing and even by sharing a cup of tea or coffee. You need to wash your hands after you have anything to do with your cold sores. At worst, you should go and have a doctor take a look at those cold sores – no how to get rid of cold sores guide will ever replace the advice of an trained professional.
There may be no real cold sore cure, but now you know there are ways of making sure that it doesn’t get in the way of your daily routine.