How to Cure Cold sores (Herpes): Can it be treated at home?

Herpes of the lips is an infectious disease caused by a virus called herpes simplex type 1. ^{[1] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} Herpes can appear on many parts of the body, but are most common around the lips, cheeks, nose, and rarely in the eyes. Nearly 50% to 90% of the world’s population carries the virus, but many people never show symptoms or don’t realize symptoms. Lip herpes usually clears up on its own within two to four weeks, but since it can be painful and embarrassing, you probably want to get better as quickly as possible. Although not scientifically proven, there are many therapies that are believed to be effective in treating cold sores.

Table of Contents

Using Natural Therapy

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Use hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, which can help reduce inflammation and fight the viral infection that causes cold sores. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Dip a cotton ball in a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and apply it to the blister for about 5 minutes. Then gently wash your face with cold water and discard the cotton pad.
Take care not to swallow hydrogen peroxide when applying.

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Use petrpeum jelly or honey. Cover the blister with a medicinal mineral oil such as Vaseline after the fluid has drained. This helps keep the sore moist and prevents chapping, especially as it forms a protective layer on the sore as it heals. ^{[3] X Editors of Prevention, (2010),The Doctors Book of Home Remedies: Quick Fixes, Clever Techniques, and Uncommon Cures to Get You Feeling Better Fast, ISBN: 160529866}

Do not use your fingers to apply mineral oil, as you can spread the virus on your fingertips. You should use a cotton ball to apply the oil until the acne heals.
If mineral oil is not available, you can use honey. Honey has antibacterial and antiviral properties, which can protect herpes from other infections, and also fight potential viruses. Use a cotton ball to apply a little honey on the blister, remember to apply it all over the painful area.

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Apply ice cubes to the blister. Apply an ice or ice pack directly to the cold sore to reduce swelling and numb the pain. If using ice, you may want to wrap it in a towel for comfort. Apply ice to the blister until it numbs, then remove it immediately. Do not apply too long. You can repeat every 1-3 hours. ^{[4] X Research Sources Editors of Prevention, (2010),The Doctors Book of Home Remedies: Quick Fixes, Clever Techniques, and Uncommon Cures to Get You Feeling Better Fast, ISBN: 1605298662 [5] X}^{Research Sources}

Note, you should only use this method if the blister is new. If a pimple has broken open, ice can interfere with the healing process because it slows blood flow to the wound (with corresponding healing properties).

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Try echinacea. Chrysanthemum tea is believed to help strengthen the immune system, so it supports the body’s natural immune response when fighting an illness. Soak one chamomile tea bag in 250 ml of boiling water for 10 minutes and drink. Drink once a day until the blisters are gone. ^{[6] X Research Source}

You can also take supplements up to 4 times a day, 300 mg each time to boost your immune system.
Do not give chrysanthemum to children without consulting a doctor.
People with autoimmune diseases, diabetes, tuberculosis, connective tissue disorders, multiple sclerosis, liver dysfunction, HIV or AIDS should not take echinacea.
People who are allergic to chrysanthemums may also be allergic to chrysanthemums.

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Use lemon mint. Many studies support the use of lemon balm to help reduce redness and inflammation in cold sores and reduce the risk of reinfection. Lemon mint is also used to treat insomnia, nervousness and indigestion. This herb contains eugep, which soothes spasms, relaxes tissues, and kills bacteria. Lemon menthol contains phytochemicals called terpenes with relaxing and antiviral effects. Lemon balm is available as a supplement, topical cream, tincture, and herbal tea, sold at most health and nutrition stores. ^{[7] X Research Sources Editors of Prevention, (2010), The Doctors Book of Home Remedies: Quick Fixes, Clever Techniques, and Uncommon Cures to Get You Feeling Better Fast, ISBN: 1605298662 [8] X}^{Research Sources}

Apply lemon mint ointment to the sore up to 3 times a day. Another option is to make lemon mint tea by steeping 1/4 teaspoon of dried lemon mint in a cup of warm water (80–85 ºC) for 3-5 minutes. Filter again and drink immediately without adding sweetener. Alternatively, you can soak 1 teaspoon of lemon mint tea on a cotton ball and apply it to the blisters.
Lemon mint cream is said to be safe for children. You should consult your pediatrician to determine the dosage for children and infants.

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Try applying essential oils or natural extracts. Some essential oils and natural extracts have antiseptic properties, and when applied directly to a cold sore can fight the virus that causes the disease. Others have astringent properties, so they can dry out the wound and block the inflammation that makes the pain worse. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Peppermint oil can target the number of viruses that escape the infected area, thus working against cold sores. Dip a cotton ball in peppermint oil and apply it to the sore twice a day until it heals.
Witch hazel is an astringent and antiseptic. Dip a cotton ball in 1 teaspoon of witch hazel (5ml) and apply it directly to the blister. No need to rinse again. Apply 1-2 times a day.
Pure vanilla extract is alcohol-based and has the ability to kill viruses. Dip a cotton ball in half a teaspoon of vanilla extract (2.5ml) and apply it directly to the sore, hold for 1-2 minutes, up to 4 times a day.
Tea tree oil and garlic oil can both help with the healing process by keeping the sore soft. A soft blister is less likely to break. If herpes breaks open, it can heal and come back worse. You can dab either of these essential oils directly on the sore twice a day.

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Apply ointments with rhubarb and sage ingredients. One study found that topical creams containing 23mg/g of rhubarb and sage extracts were as effective as prescription medications in treating cold sores. ^{[10] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}^{[11] X Research Source Saller R, Buechi S, Meyrat R, et al. Combined herbal preparation for topical treatment of Herpes labialis. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2001;8:373-382.} You can find this cream at your natural health product store. Just take a pea-sized amount of the cream on a cotton ball and apply it to the sore.

Ask your doctor if rhubarb and sage extracts are safe for babies and children under 5 years of age.

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Make licorice ointment. Glycyrhizic acid found in licorice root is the main ingredient. It has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, and can help relieve symptoms and stop the reproduction of viral cells. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Mix one tablespoon (15ml) of licorice root powder or licorice extract with half a teaspoon (2.5ml) of water or 2 teaspoons (10ml) of petrpeum jelly. Dab this paste on the blister, cover it completely, and leave it on for several hours, preferably overnight.
Alternatively, you can mix licorice root powder with petrpeum jelly, which also has healing properties. First you should mix 1 teaspoon of mineral oil with licorice root powder. Then add in mineral oil to achieve desired smoothness.

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Use cold dairy products. Cold milk and cold yogurt are both said to be effective in curing cold sores. Milk contains immunoglobulins, which are special antibodies that repel viruses, and lysine, which can fight arginine – an amino acid that can cause cold sores. Dip a cotton ball in 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of cold milk and apply it directly to the sore for a few minutes. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Probiotics in yogurt can help fight the herpes virus that causes cold sores. Dab a little white yogurt directly on the sore, and eat 2-3 cups of fat-free yogurt daily during the illness. ^{[14] X Research Source}

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Apply aloe vera gel. Aloe vera can soothe the pain of cold sores (among many other types of skin irritation) and fight bacteria that are just waiting to enter the sore and make it worse. It can also help speed up the healing process. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Use a cotton ball to apply half a teaspoon (2.5ml) of aloe vera gel directly to the blister and leave it on. The best gels are from fresh plants, which are easy to find and last a long time. Break a branch of aloe vera and apply the gel in it to the sore spot.
If you can’t find an aloe plant, you can buy 100% aloe vera gel at the drugstore.

Change your Diet

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Avoid foods that cause inflammation. Certain foods can slow the body’s healing process, weaken the immune system, and increase inflammation. Such foods should especially be avoided by people with autoimmune diseases, people taking medication for heart, lung or digestive conditions, people who have recently had a cold, cough or fever. If you have lip herpes, you need to avoid foods that can cause persistent inflammation such as: ^{[16] X Trusted Source Harvard Medical Schop Go to Source}

Refined carbohydrates like white bread, cakes or donuts
Fried, greasy food
Sugary drinks like soda or energy drinks
Red meat like veal, minced or grilled meat, processed meat like sausage
Margarine and lard

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Adopt a Mediterranean diet. While some foods cause inflammation, others actually help reduce inflammation. The Mediterranean diet consists mainly of foods that help reduce inflammation such as: ^{[17] X Trusted Source Harvard Medical Schop Go to source}

Fruits like strawberries, cherries and oranges
Nuts like almonds and walnuts
Green vegetables like spinach or kale are rich in antioxidants
Omega 3 rich fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines
Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, millet, oats, and flaxseed
Olive oil or rapeseed oil

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Avoid foods rich in arginine. Herpes simplex viruses require arginine – an amino acid found in many foods – to help with their metabolism. Experts say that reducing the consumption of foods rich in arginine can help control the appearance and return of cold sores, and also help reduce inflammation in existing acne spots. ^{[18] X Research Sources Editors of Prevention, (2010),The Doctors Book of Home Remedies: Quick Fixes, Clever Techniques, and Uncommon Cures to Get You Feeling Better Fast, ISBN: 1605298662 .}

Foods rich in arginine include chocpate, cpa, beans, refined grains, gelatin, peanuts, cashews, and beer.

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Supplement with vitamin C. Strengthening the immune system to fight viruses and bacteria will help the body heal faster and avoid future infections. Research has shown vitamin C to act as an antioxidant and promote immune function, helping to reduce the risk of developing a variety of diseases, aid in the healing process, and improve the skin’s natural appearance. . You can take vitamin C supplements (1,000mg/day) or add foods rich in vitamin C to the menu. You can easily get vitamin C through food – just eat more fruits and vegetables! Natural sources of vitamin C are: ^{[19] X Research Sources}

Bell peppers and green peppers
Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, grapefruits, lemons, or non-concentrated citrus juices.
Spinach, broccoli and brussel sprouts
Berries, including strawberries and raspberries
Tomato

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Use garlic. Garlic has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, which can speed up the healing process. Garlic is also rich in antioxidants like vitamin B6, vitamin C and manganese, which help boost immunity and fight inflammation like herpes. Researchers believe these medicinal properties are the result of a sulfuric enzyme called alliin, an active ingredient in garlic. ^{[20] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}^{[21] X Research Source}

The best way to use it is to eat fresh garlic to release alliin. Each clove of garlic is usually equivalent to 1 gram. To make it easier to eat, you can crush a teaspoon of garlic mixed with honey or olive oil. This natural remedy helps to strengthen the body’s immune system and reduce the risk of disease recurrence.
To make a topical ointment, you can make a paste by crushing 2-4 cloves of garlic and applying it to the sore with a cotton ball for about 10-15 minutes. This method can be a bit painful and quite smelly, but garlic’s antiviral properties help disinfect the sore and shorten the healing time.
Note that too much garlic can cause bad breath and low blood pressure, so you should limit it to only 2-4 cloves of garlic per day. Garlic should not be taken before surgery if you have hemophilia. If side effects such as flatulence, fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle aches, dizziness and allergic manifestations such as asthmatic reactions, skin rashes and skin lesions appear, you need to stop taking garlic. and go to the doctor right away.

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Use zinc. Zinc is an essential trace mineral found in many foods that you eat on a daily basis to maintain a healthy immune system. Zinc has antioxidant properties that help protect cells in the body from attack by bacteria and viruses such as the herpes simplex virus. Normally, zinc levels in the body are slightly low, but taking a multivitamin and following a healthy diet can provide you with the necessary amount of zinc. The best dietary sources of zinc are oysters, shellfish, red meat, poultry, cheese, shrimp and crab. ^{[22] X Research Source}

You can also apply a zinc ointment to soothe cold sores and speed up the healing process. You just need to take a small amount on a cotton ball and apply it on the sore for 3-5 minutes, can be applied 2-3 times per day.
Zinc is available as a supplement and in multivitamin tablets. Consult your doctor before taking zinc. If you have digestive issues such as acid reflux, you should consider taking more absorbable forms of zinc such as zinc picpinate, zinc citrate, zinc acetate, zinc glycerate, and zinc monomethionine. The amount of zinc is stated on the product label (usually 30 to 50mg). To determine your zinc intake as a supplement, remember that you can get 10 to 15 mg of zinc from food. The permissible dosage for adults is 8-11 mg per day. You should not take high doses of zinc for more than a few days unless advised by your doctor.

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Take lysine supplements. Lysine is an amino acid that can be obtained from dietary sources such as salmon, tuna, chicken, nonfat milk, parmesan cheese, soybeans, eggs, lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas and quinoa. You can take lysine supplements. People with cold sores three times a year should take a supplement of 2,000-3,000mg of lysine per day to reduce infection in the long term. Take 1,000mg of lysine three times daily on an empty stomach. Do not drink with milk. ^{[23] X Research Sources}^{[24] X Research Resources Editors of Prevention, (2010),The Doctors Book of Home Remedies: Quick Fixes, Clever Techniques, and Uncommon Cures to Get You Feeling Better Fast, ISBN: 1605298662}

Do not take lysine without consulting your doctor, especially if you have high cholesterol or heart disease.

Lifestyle Change

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Head pillow when sleeping. If you have lip herpes, place a few pillows behind your head to let gravity help the fluid in the blisters drain. Otherwise, the fluid can stay in the pimple all night. ^{[25] X Research Sources Editors of Prevention, (2010),The Doctors Book of Home Remedies: Quick Fixes, Clever Techniques, and Uncommon Cures to Get You Feeling Better Fast, ISBN: 1605298662}

Place the pillow under your head so that the pillow should support the natural curve of your neck, and you should be comfortable. Pillows that are too high can strain the muscles in your back, neck, and shoulders. Choose a pillow that keeps your neck in line with your chest and lower back.

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Exercise regularly. Exercising several times a week – or better yet, every day – can boost the immune system, thereby reducing the risk of a recurrence of cold sores. Even light or moderate exercises like walking, yoga, and stretching provide unexpected holistic benefits beyond shortening recovery time and reducing cold sore symptoms. ^{[26] X Source Editors of Prevention, (2010),The Doctors Book of Home Remedies: Quick Fixes, Clever Techniques, and Uncommon Cures to Get You Feeling Better Fast, ISBN: 1605298662}

Regular exercise also reduces the risk of infection in the long run, in addition to raising mood to reduce stress levels. Every day you should do 30-45 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise such as brisk walking, jogging, and swimming.
Think about consulting your doctor to create a personalized exercise plan for you.

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Use sunscreen and sunscreen lip balm. Moderate sun exposure is beneficial for the immune system because it increases vitamin D production. However, one of the most common triggers for cold sores is the sun, hence regular use of creams. Sunscreen and lip balm when outdoors can help reduce the risk of developing cold sores. To protect skin from sun damage, use a non-comedogenic sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. ^{[27] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to source}

Some chemicals in sunscreen can cause allergies, so it’s best to ask your dermatologist to choose the right one.

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Stress control. Having a cold sore can increase stress and cause low self-esteem, anxiety, and sadness. Likewise, stress weakens the immune system and leaves us vulnerable to viruses, including herpes simplex virus. Some methods for managing stress include: ^{[28] X Research Source}

Try journaling. Take time each day to write down your thoughts, even if it’s just for 10-20 minutes. Journaling can be a great stress reliever. It helps you organize your thoughts, clarify problems, and suggest solutions. ^{[29] X Trusted Source Michigan State University Extension Go to Source}
Listening to music is an effective way to relieve stress for healthy people and people with health problems. Research has found that listening to soft music can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and reduce anxiety.
Take time to have fun. Set aside time each week to do something you enjoy and relax, whether it’s yoga, reading, cooking, sewing, or whatever else is within your reach.
Try meditation and relaxation techniques like yoga, deep breathing, and tai chi. Meditation can help lower blood pressure, relieve chronic pain, reduce anxiety and lower cholesterol levels, thereby improving mental and physical health. For a simple meditation exercise, sit cross-legged in a quiet place, breathing slowly and deeply for at least 5-10 minutes. Try to spend 5 minutes meditating every day to manage stress.

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Avoid kissing and oral sex. The herpes simplex virus is contagious, so you should avoid kissing and having oral sex for the duration of the illness (i.e., when the blisters appear) until it’s gone. Oral sex can spread the virus into the genitals and can transmit herpes simplex virus type 2 from an infected person. Herpes doesn’t always show symptoms, and your sex partner may be infected without you knowing it. ^{[30] X Research Sources}^{[31] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

People who have sex with a partner with herpes simplex should consult their doctor about how to stay safe during sex.

Personal hygiene

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Avoid touching the pimple. When it comes to pain from inflammation, you may want to squeeze or pick at a pimple. But touching cold sores or having skin-to-skin contact with others can spread the virus to your fingertips, causing herpes whitlow. Acne also slows the healing process and increases the risk of spreading to other parts of the body. ^{[32] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Wash your hands often. When you have cold sores, you should wash your hands carefully before touching your face and other people, especially babies, because herpes simplex virus can spread quickly this way. ^{[33] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

A good option is to bring hand sanitizer or wet wipes with you when you leave the house or work so you can keep your hands clean at all times.

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Do not share food and eating utensils. Avoid sharing food, eating utensils, towels, sunscreen, toothbrushes, and other items that can spread the virus between people when pimples appear. Bacteria and viruses will attach to objects and spread from person to person in this way, prolonging or worsening symptoms. In addition, you should also avoid leaving your personal belongings in an environment that is too humid because high humidity will create conditions for bacteria to multiply. ^{[34] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Use a tissue every time you sneeze or cough. Use a tissue when you cough or sneeze to avoid spreading germs into the air and to prevent other bacteria and viruses from entering your lungs when you breathe. ^{[35] X Trusted Source Centers for Disease Contrp and Prevention Go to source}

If a tissue isn’t available, cough or sneeze into your elbow instead of covering your face with your hands, as this only spreads germs to your hands.

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Keep your toothbrush clean. Rinse the brush before and after use to prevent bacteria from accumulating on the bristles. When you have herpes, you need to put the brush in a separate container if you share the house with other people. ^{[36] X Trusted Source American Dental Association Go to Source}

Never share a toothbrush with anyone as this can spread germs and disease-causing bacteria from one person’s mouth to another.
Do not cover the brush or store it in an airtight container. Closed and dark environments can create conditions for bacteria to multiply.
Change your toothbrush every 3 or 4 months, and as soon as you get better with lip herpes, cough, or sore throat. More carefully, you should dip the brush in 30ml of hydrogen peroxide or alcohol-based mouthwash for three to five minutes to kill any bacteria left on the bristles.

Warning

Do not try to cover the blister with cosmetics. Cosmetics can actually worsen acne breakouts and slow down the healing process.

Steps

Using Natural Therapy

Change your Diet

Lifestyle Change

Personal hygiene

Warning

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