Treating a Cold Sore

Treating a cold sore can be frustrating especially considering that once the herpes simplex virus (which causes cold sores) is contracted, they remain in your nervous system for good. Though you might think that there is no definite complete cure for cold sores or fever blisters, there are medications and remedies that can be used for treating a cold sore and managing this troublesome herpes virus symptom.

There are many over-the-counter cold sore medications now available, and aside from those, there are also home remedies that can be equally effective.

A Summary of Various Treatment Methods for Treating a Cold Sore

Over-the-counter (OTC) Medications

Most OTC cold sore treatment medications are only palliative, meaning that they are only able to relieve the symptoms of cold sores such as itching, burning and pain. Other drugs, on the other hand, alleviate the situation by providing an environment that seems to inhibit the continued development of the fever blister and help promote healing. Another category of medications are able to directly interfere with the ability of the virus to become a cold sore.

Virus-inhibiting Medications. Medications containing docosanol has been seen to be have an inhibitory effect on the herpes simplex virus so that it is usually prescribed by doctors in order to limit the severity and duration of cold sores.

Numbing Agents. OTC cold sore treatment medications which include active ingredients such as tetracaine, benzocaine, benzyl alcohol, phenol and camphor only work as numbing agents to alleviate the itching, pain and burning sensations cause by the cold sore.

Antibacterial agents. Antibacterial agents do not have any effect on the herpes virus but these compounds may help to provide a kind of environment that will hasten the healing of cold sores by preventing additional bacterial infection.

Moisturizers and sun screen protection. Lip balms and petroleum-based products work by moisturizing and softening the scabs that form so that the cold sore will not crack or bleed. Many lip balm medications also contain zinc oxide and other sun screen protection compounds that prevents bright sunlight from triggering cold sore outbreaks

Home Remedies for Treatment of Cold Sores

None of the remedies below have been proven scientifically to treat cold sores or shorten their duration, but many people find them very beneficial.

Applying Ice. Applying ice during the initial stages of the cold sore infection will lower the temperature of the tissue area where the cold sore is beginning to form. This reduction in the temperature will reduce the metabolic rate in the area and may stifle the development of the cold sore. Applying ice can also numb the cold sore area so that the pain and the itching are lessened significantly.

Applying Tea Bags. Many people have also discovered how applying a tea bag to the area also minimizes the severity of the cold sore. Tea contains tannic acid which has been proven to possess antiviral properties.

Coating with Petroleum Jelly. Moisturizing agents such as petroleum jelly may be applied to the scabs to prevent cracking and bleeding.

Nutritional Supplements

Taking lysine supplements have been suggested to reduce the number of cold sore outbreaks.

Natural Treatment for Cold Sore

The herbal antiseptics Sage, Tea Tree Oil, Aloe Vera and Violet have been widely used as a natural treatment for cold sores. These herbs, however, should be used properly and appropriately to achieve the desired results.

There are a multitude of treatment options for treating a cold sore, but choosing the best one that will definitely work for you would require some trials and efforts on your part.