How To Get Rid Of a Cold Sore Really Fast

There are many cold sore remedies you can choose from

Everyone often asks me how to get rid of a cold sore fast and my answer is the best way to do this is by managing the virus and treating it effectively as opposed to prodding and poking it at every occasion. I want to start this entry by going over some basic but essential information about the virus and the remedies that are available, then I will discuss the option of how to prevent a infection and finally how to get rid of the infection through various remedies and treatments. The virus is caused by Herpes simplex virus type1, this is the type of virus which stays within your body once you have contracted it, Type 1 is what you associate with cold sore and Type 2 is what you would associate with the genital virus, you must remember that they are not identical and will not stem from one another. The virus once contracted remains dormant within the body until it is activated by a certain external factor which will be discussed later. The virus is usually caught during childhood and unfortunately the body's immune system is not strong enough to fight off the disease and as a result remains within our nerve cells, most of the virus is located within the cheekbone which is why they are so prevalent in that area.



The start of a Cold Sore:


The earlier you detect the formation of a sore the quicker and more effectively you can find ways to deal with the virus. Sometimes the symptoms may not appear for a few weeks after the first exposure to the virus - this often happens in childhood when the immune system cannot completely rid itself of the virus. Adults develop the symptoms as soon as the virus is triggered. The key is identifying these triggers and trying to avoid them. There are early signs of a sore after the trigger, these signs occur within 10 to 70 hours after the virus returning and consist of tingling, itching, burning and sometimes pain. After this period the blister appears and the fluid starts to leak often cracking and forming a yellow crust.

In the first few days you may experience a slight tingle, this is where the cold core is likely to form and may become inflammatory and red. The next few days consist of the Blister stage where is first visible marks may appear. On the fourth day the cold sore blister usually rupture and burst and you must remember this is when the virus is at its most contagious so contact should be limited. Once the infection ruptures the crusting stage begins and between days 10 - 12 the healing stage begins. You must be prepared for the virus to last for about 12 days if it takes its natural cause.


The Five Most Common Triggers Of Cold Sores That Can Be Avoided


1. Sunlight - For a high proportion of people sunlight can trigger a cold sore, this does not mean you avoid the sun at all costs you just need to make sure that you have adequate protection from the sun rays, it is highly recommended that you use sun screen that is greater than UV15 and also apply a sun screen lip balm, these two measures alone can greatly increase your chances of not getting infected.


2. Cold and Wind - Changes in the weather is another trigger, again you should try and use sun screen and moisturise your skin especially around the jaw area to avoid any skin drying up. Make sure you are hydrated well, if the skin is hydrated then the weather change will effect the skin less. If the climate becomes too windy or cold then try applying additional layers of cloths and wear a clean protective scarf to protect the area from the elements.


3. Pregnancy and menstruation - When there is a hormone overdrive or imbalance then these factors can usually trigger a infection, you can sometimes take hormone balancing medication and improve your diet and increase your activity so that you return to normal levels. Sometimes taking fish oils can help normalise a hormone imbalance however you must consult a doctor before you consider this avenue.


4. Flu and Colds - When the bodies immune system is compromised cold sore usually find it easier to develop which is why when you feel under the weather you may also feel the start of a infection, again the best things to do is to top up on your bodies defence levels, a good pro-biotic drink and Vitamin C can increase immediate levels of immunity however more benefits will occur through long term use as the bodies defence will become stronger.


5. Stress- Again when your body gets stressed your immune system weakens, you should try and exercise more to relieve the stress and to use some sort of relaxation technique that can prevent stress from returning. You may wish to consider organising your life better so you can avoid additional stress.


How To Get Rid Of Virus by Treatment:


Clean the area softly and gently with soapy water, never rub the cold sore as this will only aggravate it, you must do this on a daily basis until you are at the healing stage. This will keep the area clean from any additional infections that may exacerbate the virus. You must avoid any touching as the cold sore becomes more infectious.

Use Vaseline or any other petroleum based skin care product to keep the sore clean and support the healing process. If the area is very painful then you should consider using a painkiller such as Neosporin which will seal in the cold sore virus and keep out further infections. You can also consider applying Abreva or Viractin which will help speed up the 12 day process.