Cold Sore Treatment: Part 2 Increasing Your Knowledge

In my previous post, I talked about some of the triggers or things which increase the need for cold sore treatments. Here are some more.

3. Local Irritants

Sunburn or physical irritation such as burns, excessive cold have also been identified as leading to outbreaks of the lesions.

4. Sharing of Common Items Such as Eating Utensils, Towels, Etc

Since the sores are contagious, the sharing of eating utensils, towels, or any common item easily spreads the virus from one person to another.

5. Physical Contact with Recurrent Herpes Labialis Sufferers

Physical contact such as touching, kissing and having sex with a cold sore sufferer is a frequent cause of an initial outbreak of the cold sores. It is thought most children acquire the infection initially as a result of a kiss from an infected relative.

6. Diet

Diets high in arginine when combined with other triggers can lead to outbreaks. Arginine is an amino acid used as a necessary building block in the herpes simplex reproduction or replication process. Foods high in arginine include nuts and chocolate.

People with a less than healthy diet also have increased numbers of infections. This is probably due to a stressed body’s defense system as a result of the poor dietary habits.

7. Immune System

People who have weakened immune systems (undergoing cancer treatment, kidney or other organ transplant, HIV, or other autoimmune disease) are more likely to have cold sores. Their bodies are unable to fight off or discourage the herpes simplex from reproducing or replicating and causing the lesion.

Cold Sore Treatment – Many Remedies For Cold Sores Available

Recurrent herpes labialis usually disappear without treatment after going through their life cycle. But most people are unwilling to put up with the pain and unsightly lesions while waiting for the natural cycle to complete.

As mentioned earlier there is no cure for recurrent herpes labialis. However natural remedies for cold sores can relieve the pain and discomfort associated with the lesions.


Over-The-Counter Creams and Medications As Remedies For Cold Sores

Walk through a pharmacy and you will see the many cold sore treatments including creams, salves and drops sold over the counter (OTC). All of these treatments are for symptoms only and decrease the pain of those suffering from the fever blister.

Naturally Easy Remedies For Cold Sores

When you look at natural remedies, the focus is on changing the life of the sufferer to minimize the outbreaks. All natural remedies for cold sore ingredients are natural, not manufactured chemicals. And the ultimate goal of the remedies is to speed healing and relieve pain and itching.

Natural remedies come in three main categories: diet, exercise, and supplements such as vitamins.

Finding the right choice of remedies for cold sores can be a challenge, as not every cold sore treatment works for every person.


Graphic courtesy of Yoshi Aka