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Effective Remedies For Cold Sores
Cold sores are caused by a virus called herpes (say: hur-peez). Cold sores are one of our most contagious viruses - and one of our oldest. They are a cluster of painful bumps or blisters on the outer lip. They are very common as are the number of suggested remedies for cold sores. Cold sores are found outside the mouth, usually on the lips but may appear on the chin, outside of the cheek or the nostrils. Cold sores are transmitted by such forms of contact as kissing an infected person or sharing eating utensils, towels, or razors.
There are various home remedies for cold sores that have been said to work. Data studies have shown that natural remedies can reduce the cold sore events by as much as 79%. The herbal antiseptics sage and tea tree oil and the herbal sedative violet have each been suggested as remedies for cold sores. Homeopathic remedies such as dulcamara can help the body overcome a herpes outbreak.
Mainstream medical remedies for cold sores include Denavir cream and Zovirax cream. Health Canada recently approved Valtrex (valacyclovir) 2 grams twice daily for one day for treatment of cold sores. Valtrex got FDA clearance as a treatment for cold sores in the fall of 2002. The over-the-counter remedies for cold sores do not even come close to the effectiveness of Valtrex. In 2000, the FDA approved docosanol 10% cream (Abreva) as an over-the-counter treatment for cold sores. The FDA also approved Famvir as a single-dose treatment for recurrent cold sores in those with properly functioning immune systems.
The virus that causes cold sores cannot be cured. You might not think it's that big of a deal, but eight out of every 10 people have this virus and it's a lifelong problem. The virus lives in the nerves that go to your lips and it remains inactive until something stresses you out or depletes your immune system. This is why some remedies for cold sores such as the ZENMED AvaCare System also involve enhancing the immune reponse against cold sores rather than simply targeting the virus.
In conclusion, there are several effective remedies for cold sores although some may serve to only reduce the duration of the cold sores by only 1 or 2 days. Note that these treatments will always help soothe painful blisters or other irritable symptoms. Remedies for cold sores are most effective if applied early on when you first feel a tingle.
By John Kirkham
There are various home remedies for cold sores that have been said to work. Data studies have shown that natural remedies can reduce the cold sore events by as much as 79%. The herbal antiseptics sage and tea tree oil and the herbal sedative violet have each been suggested as remedies for cold sores. Homeopathic remedies such as dulcamara can help the body overcome a herpes outbreak.
Mainstream medical remedies for cold sores include Denavir cream and Zovirax cream. Health Canada recently approved Valtrex (valacyclovir) 2 grams twice daily for one day for treatment of cold sores. Valtrex got FDA clearance as a treatment for cold sores in the fall of 2002. The over-the-counter remedies for cold sores do not even come close to the effectiveness of Valtrex. In 2000, the FDA approved docosanol 10% cream (Abreva) as an over-the-counter treatment for cold sores. The FDA also approved Famvir as a single-dose treatment for recurrent cold sores in those with properly functioning immune systems.
The virus that causes cold sores cannot be cured. You might not think it's that big of a deal, but eight out of every 10 people have this virus and it's a lifelong problem. The virus lives in the nerves that go to your lips and it remains inactive until something stresses you out or depletes your immune system. This is why some remedies for cold sores such as the ZENMED AvaCare System also involve enhancing the immune reponse against cold sores rather than simply targeting the virus.
In conclusion, there are several effective remedies for cold sores although some may serve to only reduce the duration of the cold sores by only 1 or 2 days. Note that these treatments will always help soothe painful blisters or other irritable symptoms. Remedies for cold sores are most effective if applied early on when you first feel a tingle.
By John Kirkham
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