Cold sores can be frustrating and annoying, especially if you have an upcoming event. This post will direct you on how to get rid of cold sores overnight.
What gets rid of cold sores fast?
How to treat cold sore fast on your lip?
A virus known as Herpes causes cold sores also known as fever blisters. The infection does not always cause symptoms. Cold sores mostly affect the upper body, around the lips, and mouth but they can form anywhere. Cold sores mostly last for a week and then clear up on their own. There is currently no cure, and the infections are lifelong. However, there are ways and means to decrease both the intensity and frequency of the outbreak. You can either use over the counter drugs or home remedies.
What causes cold sores?
Cold sores are caused by a common virus known as herpes simplex. Most people get exposed to the virus when they are babies or children. There is no cure to herpes simplex virus. Once you have been exposed to the virus, it is always in the system, even if it does not often cause cold sores or other signs.
Herpes simplex is spread by close contact. In case you case someone with a cold sore, or you touch his face and then touch your face, you can catch the virus. It is possible to contract herpes simplex by sharing lip balm, a fork, a mug bor a razor with someone who has it. You are more likely to get the virus from someone who has an active cold sore. However, it is also possible to contract it from someone who does not have a sore or a blister showing.
Herpes Simplex can spread to the eyes or the genitals. For instance, if you rub your eyes after getting saliva from an infected person on your hands, or if you receive oral sex from someone who had cold sores. When you are first exposed to the virus, you have high chances of getting a cold sore. After a week or two, it will go away on its own. Then the virus goes dormant in your body.
Cold sores home remedies overnight
There are various natural remedies which are antiviral, antimicrobial and immune -boosting used to treat cold sores. Some treatments reduce the spread of the virus while others limit the chances of infection or reduce the pain and discomfort. Before using any remedy, beware that not every treatment works for every person, but many therapies help reduce the symptoms and prevent future flare-ups. The following are the most common and effective remedies.
- Apply lip balm with at least 1 percent lemon balm to cure a cold sore overnight.
- Drink lemon tea or squeeze it on the cold sore to speed up the recovery.
- Peppermint, mint and witch hazel can reduce the symptoms of cold sore overnight.
- Buy aloe vera gel online to soothe cold sores and provide moisture to avoid cracked lips when infected with cold sores.
- You can also treat cold sores with licorice roots since they contain glycyrrhizic acid which is antiviral.
- Get rid of cold sores overnight by using licorice powder, mixed with water or petroleum jelly and then apply directly to the sores.
- You can consume echinacea in tea or supplement form to reduce the symptoms of cold sores or boost the immune system to prevent future occurrences. Echinacea is accessible on online pharmacy and over the counter.
- Drink milk which contains antibodies and I-Lysine to cure a cold sore overnight
Over the counter medications to help get rid of cold sores overnight
There are both child doses and adult doses. The following are the most common OTC:
- Keep your cold sore clean by rubbing it with hydrogen peroxide and alcohol.
- Buy ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation of cold sores.
- You can also use zinc oxide creams to apply on scabs and kill virus cells released from cold sores.
- Anbesol and Orajel will numb sores, lessen pain and get rid of a cold sore faster.
- Buy Abreva and Zilactin online, to get rid of a cold sore overnight.
Does apple cider vinegar kill cold sores?
Can apple cider get rid of cold sores on your lips overnight?
Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Considering cold sores are caused by a virus and not by bacteria, applying apple cider vinegar to a cold sore may not cure it. Apple cider vinegar is more effective in getting rid of dead skin cells. Nevertheless, for the same reason, it may be used to help cold sores go away more quickly once they have reached the scabbing level. As a result of its antiseptic properties, apple cider vinegar may be beneficial at minimizing the threat of secondary infection in an existing cold sore.
Apple cider remedy for cold sores
If you wish to treat cold sores with apple cider vinegar, below are methods you can follow.
Using diluted apple cider vinegar to get rid of cold sores overnight
Step 1: Dilute apple cider vinegar with water in a ratio 1:10 ratio.
Step 2: Soak a cotton ball in this solution and apply it to the cold sores at least one or two times in a day until the cold sores are gone.
Caution: Do not use full strength apple cider vinegar on your skin, as this may burn or irritate the skin, causing scarring.
Using apple cider vinegar and honey as a remedy for cold sores
Step 1: Mix diluted cider vinegar with honey to make a paste
Step 2: Apply the paste to the cold sore at least one or two times a day for about five to ten minutes.
Step 3: Softly dab with a soft cloth to remove the mixture. The honey could affix to the scabs, pulling them off prematurely if you remove this mixture too vigorously.
Using Apple cider Vinegar and tea tree essential oil to get rid of cold sores overnight
Tea tree oil has properties of reducing inflammation and also has an antiviral effect. If you have eczema, do not use this remedy.
Step 1: Dilute about five drops of essential tea oil in 1 ounce of sweet almond oil or another carrier oil.
Step 2: Mix the diluted oil with diluted cider vinegar
Step 3: Use this solution as a poultice to treat cold sores. Apply one two two times a day using a cotton ball, and leave it on the area for five minutes at a time.
Step 4: Repeat the above instructions until cold sores go away completely.
Precaution: Do not swallow tea oil or let it enter your mouth as it can be toxic. The oil can also irritate your skin, so this medication may not be appropriate for everyone.
Apple cider vinegar remedy for cold sores side effects and precautions
Even though apple cider vinegar has alkaline properties, it is an acid. Thus, it should not be used full strength on the skin and especially on open sores.The acid should never be used on sensitive areas like around the eyes, mouth or lips in full strength as it can cause severe burns, stinging and irritation. Apple cider vinegar can also dry out skin or cause discomfort.
How do you stop a cold sore from forming?
Remedies for cold sores before it develops
There are various warning signs that a cold sore is about to form. The most common early signs of cold sore include:
- Itching around the lips could be a potential sign that a cold sore is developing
- A burning or tingling sensation, which usually starts to develop a day or two before the cold sore pops out.
It is good to be extra attentive when you are stressed, ill, have sun exposure or hormone fluctuations as these are factors that trigger cold sores. If you notice any of the above signs, it is essential to take action. The faster you treat a cold sore, the shorter it will last.
1. Over the counter, topical treatments such as docosanol can provide a modest amount of relief and potentially reduce the amount of time needed for cold sore to heal.
2. Buy oral antiviral medication for early cold sores to minimize the amount of time the cold sore will take to recover. Such medicines include; Valacyclovir, acyclovir, and famciclovir.
Tips and tactics to help you get rid of cold sores fast while using sores remedies
Beyond medication, there are various tips which can help you speed up the healing process.
- Avoid touching the cold sore. Touching an open cold sore is an easy way to transfer this fluid to other body parts such as genitals.
- Do not use non-pharmaceutical products such as lip balms, and other products to treat the sore. Such products are more likely to slow down the healing process.
- Focus on a healthy lifestyle such as getting enough sleep, reduce stress, healthy diet to increase the healing process for a cold sore.
- Avoid any activity such as kissing which will spread the cold sore to other people. Also, avoid sharing dining utensils until the cold sore is gone.
Do cold sores mean you have an STD?
Cold sores on the lips or in the mouth does it mean I have Herpes?
Herpes is known for triggering sores on or near the genitals or the mouth. There is Herpes 1 and Herpes 2. Though the two viruses tend to behave a little differently from each other, they both cause sores in both places.
So in a nutshell, yes; provided you have a cold sore, you are carrying the Herpes virus. But it is no need to cause an alarm since it is way more common than you think it is. Herpes is usually spread through skin-to-skin contact, which means anything from kissing, to oral sex, or even sharing chapstick. Thus if you have a cold sore when you perform oral sex on a partner, you could give them the virus. But to be able to pass the virus you must have a breakout.
Basically, there is no cure for herpes, but do not worry, while the initial herpes outbreak may be painful, you may not even have another one, and if you do it may not be as bad as the first.
How to prevent cold sores from developing on the lips and in the mouth?
To boost your immune system and prevent cold sores from forming, consume vitamin E. Vitamin E helps the body restore damaged skin cells and grow new ones. Food rich in vitamin E include nuts, whole, and leafy greens. Vitamin C can also help boost the levels of white cells, the body’s main infection-fighting, food rich in vitamin C include spinach, broccoli, and tomatoes. Wash your hands frequently, especially before handling a sore to prevent the spread of sore. Get rid of mouth hygiene tools such as toothbrushes at the first sign of a cold sore outbreak or after the infection has cleared up.
