It’s hard to believe, but cold sores are a virus. They’re contagious, and they can spread easily. They also seem to come out of nowhere, making them even more difficult to deal with. Some symptoms include fever, tiredness, sore throat, blisters, and swelling.
Luckily, there are ways to treat cold sores in the early stages, so they don’t cause much trouble. The key is knowing all the symptoms and getting the necessary treatment or medication. Hence, if you suspect a cold sore is on the horizon, getting treatment as soon as possible is important.
Meanwhile, here’s how to treat cold sores in the early stages:
1. Drink Vitamins
One of the most common ways to treat a cold sore is by drinking vitamin C supplements. Vitamin C helps boost your immune system to fight infections like cold sores. In addition, it helps reduce inflammation in your body, which can help ease pain and swelling from a cold sore.
On the other hand, drinking enough water when you take vitamin C supplements is essential. They can cause diarrhea if your body doesn’t have enough fluid. You can also take vitamin B supplements since they help your antibody formation. Nevertheless, you can always check an informative post online to learn more.
If you feel like a cold sore is coming on, take vitamin C supplements as soon as possible and continue taking them until your symptoms completely disappear. Significantly, it’s always best to consult your doctor before taking any vitamins, especially since many different types of vitamins B and C are available today.
2. Eat Healthy Foods
Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus, and they can be a real nuisance. They often occur on or around your lips and nose and can be extremely painful. Cold sores are contagious, so treating them as soon as possible is vital to prevent them from spreading.
You can use natural treatments to help get rid of cold sores faster and reduce their severity. Here are some of them:
- Oatmeal
Oatmeal contains zinc, which helps fight infection and promotes healing. You can also use colloidal silver to prevent cold sores from forming in the first place. Choose products labeled ‘colloidal silver’ or ‘ionic silver.’ However, it would help to talk to a physician to secure your safety.
- Citrus Fruits
Oranges, lemons, and limes contain vitamin C, which helps boost your immune system and fight infection. Eating some citrus fruits is a good idea if you’re starting to feel the symptoms of a cold sore. You can also drink freshly squeezed orange juice instead of soda pop or other sugary drinks.
3. Drink Plenty Of Water
Cold sores can be extremely painful and irritating for people who suffer from them frequently. Drinking plenty of water daily can help keep yourself hydrated and reduce the severity of your cold sores when they appear. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will also help flush out toxins from inside your body which will help prevent further complications.
4. Apply Anti-Viral Cream
When you first notice a cold sore, applying an antiviral cream is best. This can significantly reduce the severity of the infection and shorten its duration. The best creams to use are those that contain acyclovir or penciclovir.
These medications inhibit the replication of herpes simplex virus- 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2). Moreover, they can effectively reduce the infection from spreading. However, your doctor may prescribe a prescription cream suitable for you.
Alternatively, you can buy topical creams over the counter from a pharmacy or supermarket. If you have recurring cold sores, your doctor may also recommend taking antiviral medication daily to strengthen your immune system.
5. Maintain Good Hygiene
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, a type of herpes that causes cold sores on the mouth and lips. Cold sores are contagious but can be prevented by practicing good hygiene.
Here are some ways to treat cold sores in the early stages:
- Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.
- Don’t share food utensils or towels with someone with a cold sore.
- Don’t touch your face when you have a cold sore. And don’t share drinking glasses or eating utensils with others who have cold sores on their faces or lips.
- Avoid touching your mouth or eyes because this can lead to the spread of the virus.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve got a cold sore, don’t worry because it’s not the end of the world. All you need to do is treat your cold sore early on, and you’ll be back to normal in no time.
Remember that these tips are just suggestions. Do what works for you. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. And remember that if a product doesn’t work for you, there are plenty of others out there that might.
