Cold sore is one of the viral infectious diseases that are common today. They are contagious viral infections due to herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 attack. They can occur in the mouth or in genitals.(1,2)
Another name for this sores are fever blisters. They are small fluid-filled blisters with fluids that occur around the lips in clusters.
Cold sore has a painful yet tingling symptoms around the lip and mouth area. Cold sores may result from close contact either through kissing or oral sex. (3)
Naturally, they often disappear within two weeks without seeing a doctor.
What triggers a cold sore?
Sores are primarily due to HPV1 and HPV2 attacks. Once you come in contact with these viruses, then Cold sore can be triggered by a compromised immune system, cold menstruation stress, change in hormonal balance and levels, chilly winds, scorching sun and other illnesses.(1,4,5)
Can you get rid of a cold sore in 24 hours?
You cannot cure cold sores in a day. However, the fact that there isn’t an instant cure for cold sores doesn’t mean you suffer in silence until it disappears on its own. You can cut down the period of painful symptoms and hasten the healing process.
Applying petroleum jelly on the fluid-filled blisters, cold compress and taking over-the-counter painkillers may reduce pain and swelling.
How long do cold sores last?
Ideally, cold sores last for 3 days to two weeks without antiviral drugs or treatment. The healing time for cold sores depends on your actions when it occurs. (1)
The healing process is also affected by your choice of treatment. Antiviral medication, natural remedies and home remedies all have variations on healing time.
Does toothpaste help cold sores?
There is no scientific evidence that tooth paste can heal cold sores. But the compound sodium lauryl sulfate in many tooth pastes can help dry the blisters, reduce pain and promote faster healing.
What gets rid of cold sores overnight?
Nothing! but you can use prescription medications to stop cold sores. These drugs will take away the tingling sensation and relieve the symptoms quickly. Remedies like activated charcoal poultice made with honey can help bring a tremendous change overnight.
Making this poultice and applying it to the sores will soothe the painful sore. In severe cases, prescription medications may help treat cold sores.
How do I dry up a cold sore fast?
There are home remedies that may help you dry the cold sore quickly. You may wash it with Himalayan rock salt solution, use honey as a natural topical cream, or apply tooth paste and baking soda paste on the affected area. Using over-the-counter drugs, antiviral medications, but cold sore remedies are best in this treatment.
How does toothpaste get rid of cold sores overnight?
Toothpaste can relieve the pain caused by the cold sore, but you will need an antiviral drug or remedies to treat your sores.
How do you get rid of a cold sore in 1 minute?
It’s impossible to heal cold sore outbreak in one minute. The average time for cold sore to disappear is between few days to 14 days, but you may use antiviral drugs like acyclovir to heal cold sore faster.
Can you get rid of a cold sore in a day?
This depends on the state of the cold sore and the remedies you have. If you use antiviral medications, injections and topical creams, these will help your cold sore heal faster. The healing time also depends on your general health condition.
What home remedy kills mouth sores?
Garlic
Garlic is mainly used in India as a canker sore remedy and may be effective for mouth cold sores as well.(6)
It contains allicin that has an antimicrobial effect. Cut the clove into tiny pieces then apply on the infected area mixed with red bulb onion to reduce the sulfur burning effect of garlic. (7,8)
Rinse your mouth with water to remove the garlic odor. Garlic also has antiviral properties that kill infection caused by herpesvirus.
Turmeric Powder
Turmeric is rich with antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. It also has some traces of antiviral properties and will kill herpes simplex virus, which is the chief causative agent of cold sores.
Turmeric paste is prepared by mixing equal amounts of turmeric and water. You should apply the paste to the ulcerated area for a few minutes, then rinse with water.
Basil leaves
It has antimicrobial properties. It may prevent infections and help to calm cold sores. To use basil leaves, soak suitable amount of it’s leaves in hot water then wash the affected area.
Cayenne
Cayenne pepper can help soothe your cold sores. It is full of a chemical compound capsaicin, which makes cayenne spicy. It can inhibit substance-p (an inflammation causing chemical in the body).
Mix cayenne powder with a small amount of water and make a paste. Use a cotton swab to apply this paste to your mouth sore 2 to 3 times a day. This paste helps with pain relief and healing promotion.
Fenugreek leaves
They have many benefits to hasten the healing process and have applications in natural dentistry. Fenugreek can boost the immune system as it has several vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, calcium, carotene, phosphorus, and more.
Ice pack
Ice is the cheapest method to relieve pain and discomfort quickly. Through cold compress with ice pack on the sores, you will get cold sore relief. If you don’t have an ice pack, you can use heavy towel with ice cubes in them and apply on the affected area.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel extract is considered the first-aid plant owing to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and healing-promoting properties.
It can reduce the pain and discomfort of sore fast. Aloe vera gel also has a soothing and cooling effect on the skin, so it has additional advantages over other remedies for cold sores
You may apply the gel on the affected area. But be careful if you are diabetic and taking glucose-lowering medication because it lowers blood glucose levels.
Clove
Clove is a powerful substitute for over the counter antiviral medication for infection treatment. You can use clove oil directly on the fluid-filled blisters and it will relief pain and heal the wounds.
Chamomile
Several scientific researches poise chamomile is among antiviral plants that have been used for decades to curb virus attacks. Through taking this tea or applying it to the sores, you will kill the herpes simplex virus and dry the blisters.
What kills cold sores on lips?
Using medicinal oils as lip balm, you can treat sores quickly. With all other health conditions remaining constant, you will kill sores on your lips faster.
What is the fastest a cold sore can heal?
After cold sore outbreak, it can take up to 14 days to heal on its own. This period can be shortened by using antiviral medications or over-the-counter painkillers.
Using antiviral medicines, the period can be reduced to 2 or 3 days while when using remedies it may extend to 4 or 5 depending on your immune system and the remedies available.
Can I get rid of a cold sore in 2 days?
Yes, you can. Healing from cold sore depends on your action on this infection. Seeing a doctor will help you make the best treatment choice. Whether you use natural cold sore remedies or prescriptions, seek advice from your doctor.
What causes cold sores on the lip?
The reason you can have cold sore outbreaks on your lips is through kissing anyone having an active cold sore. Although it must not be through kissing, as the herpes virus can attack any part of the body.
Sharing lip balm with individuals suffering from cold sores may make you contract the virus.
Common cold sore outbreak triggers
The fact that cold sore develops because of viral attack, there are some external environmental factors that can be termed as cold sore triggers.
These include freezing weather, blistering sun, emotional stress and weak immune system.
Take away
Cold sore are very common viral infections that affect both kids and adults. It’s not very severe in adults like in toddlers. When you see the signs of this infection in kids kindly seek immediate medical advice.
Get to know when to use remedies and the points you need to see a doctor. For adults, this condition is not terror causing except the ugly sight on the lips and the burning sensation caused by the sores.
When the wounds are healing, don’t scrap of the peeling skin but allow them to dry completely. The information in this article doesn’t take the place of your doctor’s advice.