How to Get Rid of Cold Sore : Cold Sore - It’s Painful

What are cold sores? The herpes simplex virus cause these. The virus is thought to stay dormant until the body breaks down from stress, anxiety and a sickness like colds. It may even be caused by too much exposure from the sun. And no, a person cannot get genital herpes from a cold sore, but that does not mean a person should remain nonchalant at these. He should know how to get rid of cold sore.

Now unlike canker sore, the cold sore is highly contagious and hiding or camouflaging one with makeup will not work. In fact, if the disease had an allergy, it would be makeup. Now going through Google, people would find tons and tons of information on how to get rid of cold sore, but listed below are the easiest to do.

1. Petroleum Jelly – this is the first step on how to get rid of cold sore. The application of the jelly will cover the cold sores. This has been proven to speed up the healing. It also protects it from a secondary infection.

2. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen – take these painkillers. Or if these do not work as well as hoped it would be, an over-the-counter anesthetic should be taken.

3. ­Avoid Salty and Acidic Foods – these can irritate the sores, which would only prolong it.

4. Sunscreen for the Lips – apply this on the lips to protect it from the sun. If the cold sore is gone, applying sunscreen on the lips can stop the recurring of cold sores due to the sun.

5. Doctor – a doctor’s consultation would be best for a recurring cold sore. He may have to prescribe something special like acyclovir, which is an antiviral medication.

6. Don’t spread it – people like the feeling of not being alone, but this is not the time for it. By knowing how to get rid of cold sore people can take steps to prevent this passing to others. Always avoid kissing, as well as, sharing items that may have touched the lips with a cold sore.

While people with cold sores can’t do much to alter or even hide it, they can carry out a few self-help cure tasks to decrease discomfort and speed up healing. Prevention is better than knowing how to get rid of cold sore.