Easy Remedies for Cold Sores

Have you ever had a cold sore that just would not go away? Not only are cold sores painful, they are hard on your self esteem. Luckily there are several remedies for cold sores that will make cold sores a thing of the past.

Cold sores, also called fever blisters effect more than 20% of the population. Caused by the Herpes Simplex virus, cold sores are contagious, but usually clear up on their own in about a week to ten days. There are several remedies available to prevent cold sores, or at least lessen the duration of one you may already have.

One of the more popular remedies for a cold sore is Lysine. Since Lysine is an essential amino acid, it cannot be made by the human body. You must get Lysine through the food you eat, or by taking a supplement. Lysine helps the body make use of protein and boosts the immune system. It has been shown in several studies that Lysine also helps slow down the spread of the Herpes Simplex virus. You can find Lysine in chocolate, wheat germ, red meat and almonds. By insuring you get enough Lysine in your diet, you can reduce the chances of getting a cold sore at all.


The use of Lemon Balm is another remedy that has gained popularity. Lemon balm has been shown with regular use, to reduce the duration of a cold sore by fifty percent. An antiviral which can suppress the Herpes Virus, Lemon Balm can actually reduce the number of cold sores a person contracts.

Phenol is also known for its antiviral properties and is commonly used to treat and prevent cold sores. Phenol is an ingredient in many lip balms and creams we use today. Along with a cooling effect, phenol lip balm moisturizes and protect the lips. By eliminating cracked dry lips you reduce the chances the cold sore virus has to enter the body.

Early treatment is essential for the treatment and prevention of a cold sore. At the first sign of infection, usually a tingling or burning on the lips, you should start applying medication. By catching it in the early stages you may be able to eliminate the cold sore altogether.

There are many remedies for cold sores on the market today. Whether you go with the natural treatments, or with medication, you should be cold sore free in no time.