How To Treat A Cold Sore:
Treating a cold sore with natural home
remedies
by Denny Bodoh
Treating a cold sore
for fast results means you must adapt your treatment to the stage of your
cold sore symptoms.
Let's look at the how to treat a cold sore
one stage to the next.
STAGE 1. TINGLING OR ITCHING SENSATION BEGINS AT TARGET SITE.
The herpes simplex virus normally is latent, hiding in the nerve cells at the
root of the nerve fiber. When it becomes active, it moves up the nerve to the
surface, where it creates
cold sores
through its effort to replicate new virus clones.
The movement of the virus through the nerve fiber transmits a tingling, itching
or burning sensation and it is felt at the surface end of that nerve. This is
where the sore will develop.
Apply ice as soon as you notice this. Even a cold can of soda will help. The
cold distracts and discourages the virus. Often this can end the process,
sending the virus back into hiding and preventing the outbreak.
Application of ice is most successful at this early stage. The
cold sore virus
has difficulty replicating when cold.
STAGE
2. VIRUS INVADES SURFACE CELLS AND BEGINS REPLICATION PROCESS.
The herpes virus enters the cells, takes control and ultimately forces the cell
to create virus clones.
This infection of the cells causes swelling. Your body reacts to this invasive
action and your immune system kicks into high gear. This often causes swelling
of the lymph glands under the jaw and mild fever and headaches.
Ice still is a very good
cold sore treatment. Additionally, many people like to use a mixture of
garlic and extra virgin olive oil. You can crush your own fresh garlic or buy
garlic oil gel-caps at the vitamin store.
Garlic is an amazing herb. The oil penetrates right through the skin to get to
the infection even before it actually breaks open. I have seen it put on a
person's feet and you could smell it on their breath within 30 minutes.
The reason I suggest mixing with olive oil is two-fold. Olive oil is a good
anti-viral remedy by itself. Also, it softens the aggressiveness of the garlic
oil. Some folks claim applying the garlic oil straight burns their skin.
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ARE YOU
FED UP
WITH COLD SORES?
Quit Suffering and Start Smiling Again
It truly can't get any better or easier than this ..........
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STAGE
3. OPEN SORE IS CREATED - SCAB FOLLOWS.
During stage 3, the wound opens up. Eventually the cells reach their maximum
limit and then are destroyed by the controlling virus to release the offspring.
The sore starts weeping a thick fluid created by your body to help wash away the
new and offending virus particles.
Your cold sore
now is in the healing mode as all the damage has occurred.
Ice will still give you a lot of comfort, but it will slow down the tissue
repairing process. It may not be a good choice in
treating a cold sore
at this point.
If you want to deaden the pain, try using a salve from the drug store that
contains numbing agents such as lidocaine. There is a tooth-pain salve that
seems to work well.
Campo-Phenique is also a pretty good product and is available in several
formulas.
Cleansing the sore area now becomes top priority. Use throw-away cotton balls or
tissue. My favorite cleansing fluid is hydrogen peroxide. This not only is great
for cleaning wounds but it contains extra oxygen molecules which it leaves
behind.
Keep in mind that oxygen is essential for healing damaged tissue. Applying heat
will be quite helpful also as it brings a rush of oxygenated blood to the wound
area.
Eventually the sore scabs over. Do not pick at it. Keep it well oiled with
virgin olive oil. This keeps it soft and helps prevent painful cracking when you
eat or smile.
I would also continue mixing in the garlic and keep applying until the sore is
gone.
STAGE 4. HEALING THROUGH TOTAL RECOVERY.
When the scab finally falls off ON ITS OWN, you will see fresh skin underneath,
usually with a reddish hue.
Once there is no longer a break in the skin, cleansing is not quite as critical,
but still a good idea. You must realize that it is still VERY contagious. Use
every precaution. You can still transmit it to others or to a new location on
your own body.
The virus is still below the surface as long as the spot is pink looking. I
would continue to use the garlic and olive oil cold sore remedies until the
redness is clear for two days.
Continue applying warmth to the area. The best way to do this is to use some
herbal tea bags containing mint or peppermint. Heat them up in hot water to your
tolerance level, apply one for about 10 to 15 minutes then throw away.
There are nutrients in the tea and in peppermint that are good against viruses.
This, with the warmth provided, is a great cold sore treatment combination. Of
all
cold sore home remedies, this is a very effective one.
PLEASE - BE CAUTIOUS FROM BEGINNING TO END.
Cold sores are dangerous and very contagious.
How
dangerous are cold sores?
Cold sores
are most often transferred to others by kissing but you can infect others
through contaminated dining utensils, towels, wash clothes, drinking bottles and
even with your contaminated fingertips.
Continue to cleanse the area and wash your hands often when treating a cold
sore. Continue to try various other
cold sore
remedies.
You can quickly expand you knowledge of
how to treat a cold sore
by reading the other free info on this web site.
Thanks for coming - please tell others.
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ARE YOU
FED UP
WITH COLD SORES?
Stop Suffering and Start Living Again
It truly can't get any better or easier than this ..........
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