Herpes Cold Sore Home Remedies

How K Health Can Help

Did you know you can get affordable primary care with the K Health app? K doctors are able to treat herpes with medication, but patients must be diagnosed already. If youre worried that you might have genital herpes, a K doctor can refer you to a physician for an in-person visit. to check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed text with a doctor in minutes. K Healths AI-powered app is HIPAA compliant and based on 20 years of clinical data.

K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

The Potential Effect Of Garlic Against Herpes

Garlic may also be known to have properties that counteract the activity of several viruses, including both types of HSV. For example, some study results suggest that allicin, a compound in garlic, may be effective against HSV. However, there is no clear evidence that garlic can cure herpes. However, the volatile organic sulfur compounds it contains could also cause burns. Therefore, you should not use raw garlic directly on your skin. So weigh the risk carefully when using garlic on your lips, nose, or around your eyes. If you experience irritation, you should discontinue use and wash the area thoroughly immediately. An alternative to this would be to eat fresh garlic and take garlic capsules.

You Can Get Genital Herpes From Someone Who Has Oral Herpes

While the two types of herpes generally stay in their genital or oral place, oral-to-genital transmission of HSV-1 is possible. To prevent spread, the American Sexual Health Association recommends abstaining from oral contact, like kissing and oral sex, while experiencing an HSV-1 outbreak, aka cold sores or fever blisters. Otherwise, using a barrier, like a dental dam or a condom, can limit exposure as well.

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Hsv Infection Is Very Common

Around 90 per cent of adults have herpes simplex antibodies in their bloodstream, which means that they have been infected with the virus at some time. However, the first infection does not usually cause any symptoms. One-third of infected people experience cold sores, which are a recurrence of the earlier infection and do not indicate recent infection. Most of these people would not have experienced symptoms from the first infection.

Check If It’s A Cold Sore

A cold sore usually starts with a tingling, itching or burning feeling.

Over the next 48 hours:

Cold sores should start to heal within 10 days, but are contagious and may be irritating or painful while they heal.

Some people find that certain things trigger a cold sore, such as another illness, sunshine or menstrual periods.

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Take Care Of Yourself

If stress and poor self-care seem to lead to cold sore outbreaks, then resting and recuperating makes sense as a natural remedy. Optimal sleep, healthy food, and stress reduction can have amazing effects on the body and can improve the immune system.

Gut health is also important since an imbalanced gut microbiome can cause the immune system to become suppressed. Here are some tips for improving gut health:

• Choose grass-fed liver and other meats, vegetables, and healthy fats over high carb or white foods .
• Add gelatin and bone broth to your diet.
• Get plenty of sleep and moderate exercise to help boost the bodys immune system.
• Choose a good probiotic that can support your skin

Home Remedies And Lifestyle

At-home treatments for herpes are used to relieve pain. They do nothing to alter the course of the infection but can make you more comfortable as the herpes sores begin to heal.

There are several things you can do if have an outbreak of oral or genital herpes:

• Use a cold compress. Place a cloth-covered ice pack on the sores for 15 minutes several times daily to reduce pain. Keep the ice pack moving to prevent frostbite.
• Do not touch or scratch. Avoid touching and rubbing the sores. Doing so can spread the infection to other areas of the skin.
• Keep the sores clean. Herpes sores can become infected with bacteria if touched with soiled hands. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after going to the bathroom or before applying medications.
• Reduce stress. Stress can increase your sensitivity to pain during a herpes outbreak. You can reduce stress by performing gentle exercises or practicing mind-body therapies like meditation, yoga, and guided imagery.

To reduce the risk of spreading herpes, avoid kissing and sharing objects that come into contact with saliva, like drinking straws and eating utensils.

It’s important to note that oral herpes can be spread to the genitals, and that genital herpes can be spread to the mouth. To reduce the risk of infection, use condoms and dental dams during oral sex. Better yet, avoid sex altogether if you are having an active herpes outbreak .

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Conventional Cold Sore Treatment

The most commonly prescribed medications for relieving pain and discomfort from a cold sore are acyclovir , famciclovir and valacyclovir . These antiviral drugs dont cure the virus, and they dont help once the blister appears. They have to be applied when you can feel a cold sore coming on in order to be effective.

Several studies have investigated the efficacy of oral antiviral medication in the treatment of cold sores. The medication must be taken when symptoms first appear in order to be effective. Study results vary, but most suggest that antiviral medications reduce the duration of symptoms by one or two days, especially when taken at higher doses.

When acyclovir was tested on 149 patients who took 200 milligrams five times daily for five days, it had no effect on the duration of pain or the time to recovery. However, in another study, 174 patients reported a reduction in the duration of the symptoms after taking 400 milligrams five times daily for five days.

The most frequent reported side effects of oral antiviral medications are headache and nausea, which depend on the dose and duration of treatment.

Homeopathic Remedies For Cold Sores

From the above-mentioned home remedies, we are clued-up with what we can put on cold sores? Still, some people want to go for homeopathic treatment. So, here are some homeopathic remedies for healing cold sores.

• Borax: It is used for herpes outbreaks.
• Apis mellifica: It is used when the cold sores are tender to touch and are accompanied by swelling, redness, and pain.
• Dulcamara: It is used when sores erupt due to the rainy season.
• Arsenicum album: Provide relief in the burning pain.
• Graphites: It is used when a honey-like substance oozes out from the sores.
• Natrum muriaticum: It is used for red sores on lips, chin, face, and nostril area.

Dosage: Take one dose of homeopathic medicine and wait for the response. Take the second only when effective results are seen. The frequency of dosage wholly depends on the condition of the person. For more information on dosage, you should consult a doctor.

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When Should I See My Doctor

You may need to see a doctor if you have more severe symptoms or a weakened immune system if, for example, you have HIV or you are having cancer treatment.

Its also a good idea to see your doctor if:

• there are signs the cold sore is infected, such as redness around the sore, pus and a fever
• you arent sure you have a cold sore
• the cold sore isnt healing, its spreading or you have more than one cold sore
• your cold sore has spread to near your eyes
• you get cold sores often

Antibiotics may be needed if the cold sore gets infected.

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Best For Online Consultations: Lemonaid

• Price: $25 for consultation and prescription, cost of medication varies
• Pros: convenient online appointments and medication delivery
• Cons: does not accept insurance for consultations

This telehealth company provides prescription medications for herpes.

People must fill in an online health questionnaire and provide a photo ID. Depending on the state a person resides in, Lemonaid may require a video or telephone consultation with a healthcare professional.

The company offers preventive treatment with a prescription that lasts for 1 year or immediate treatment for current herpes flare-ups.

People can choose home delivery or pick up their medication at a local pharmacy.

However, Lemonaid does not offer genital herpes prescription medications for people using the service for the first time. In this case, users must go to a doctor or gynecologist for an initial diagnosis.

The majority of Lemonaid consultation fees cost a flat rate of $25. This fee does not cover the cost of medication.

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Things To Know About Genital Herpes

• Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by a virus that infects genital areas.
• Herpes simplex virus is the cause of genital herpes.
• Genital herpes causes lesions in the form of blisters or groups of small ulcers on and around the genitals in both men and women.
• There is no cure for genital herpes, but medications are available that can treat outbreaks, minimize the symptoms, and decrease recurrences.
• Genital herpes is highly contagious. Carriers can transmit the disease without having any symptoms of an active infection.
• Signs of genital herpes develop within 3-7 days after contact with an infected person.
• Most people with genital herpes have recurring outbreaks.

Boosting Your Immune System

Another way to potentially speed up healing for herpes outbreaks and reduce the frequency of future outbreaks is to strengthen your bodys natural immunity. When your immune system is strong, it will be more capable of suppressing the virus.

Some of the recommended ways to boost your immunity include:

• Minimize stress.
• Eat a diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.
• Exercise regularly.
• Get an adequate amount of sleep every night.
• Drink in moderation and avoid smoking.

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How To Treat A Cold Sore With Home Remedies

While prescription and OTC cold sore medication can promote healing and relieve pain, home remedies may also improve your symptoms and possibly reduce the frequency of outbreaks.

These remedies wont fight the virus, but they can help you feel better until a cold sore heals.

To self-treat a cold sore:

• Opt for cool foods that you apply to your mouth area. For example, suck on ice chips or a popsicle to reduce pain in or around the lips.
• Apply a cold or warm compress to painful areas. This can help ease inflammation.
• Avoid trigger foods that may irritate a cold sore. These can include hot beverages, citrus fruits, spicy food, and salty foods.
• Turn to your medicine cabinet. Apply a skin protectant, such as petroleum jelly, to a cold sore and the skin around the sore.
• Wear lip balm with SPF 30 or higher. This protects your lips until a cold sore heals. Applying balm year-round can also help stop recurrent cold sores.
• Tend to your dental health. Use an antiseptic mouthwash when brushing your teeth to relieve pain.
• Drink water. Keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.

A few alternative therapies might also promote healing and relieve cold sore symptoms, although more research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of these remedies.

For example, applying synthetic beeswax to a cold sore might shorten the duration of an outbreak and get rid of the blister sooner.

What To Look For When Using Home Remedies For Cold Sores

Similar to chemical drugs, simple home remedies can also cause side effects. When using essential oils, skin irritation sometimes occurs. If you have sensitive or delicate skin, you should rather use one of the other home remedies.

If you are allergic to Tea tree oil pimples and pustules may form on the skin. In this case, you should stop the treatment and use another home remedy for herpes. To prevent skin irritation, you can also use essential oils in diluted form.

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What Are The Complications

Complications are rare, but some people especially those with weakened immune systems, such as people with HIV, may have trouble fighting the virus and get a secondary infection in the eye, fingers, joints, throat, colon, liver, lungs or brain.

If you are pregnant, and you or your partner have a history of herpes, it is important to inform your health care provider. There are steps that can be taken to help prevent the virus being passed to the baby. This is most likely to happen if the mother has a primary first outbreak in the third trimester. Herpes can cause serious complications for the baby, including death. Women who have genital herpes before they become pregnant are at very low risk of passing it to their infant.

Cold Sores Vs Canker Sores

Cold sores are often confused with canker sores, but the two are very different, looks aside. Here is how to distinguish between a cold sore and a canker sore:

Cold Sores

• Develop on the outside of the mouth, usually along the edge of the lips
• Are contagious until they crust over and heal completely
• Appear as red blisters until they break, ooze and form a crust
• Generally heal with 10 days
• Caused by herpes simplex virus
• Can be triggered by sunlight and stress

Canker Sores

• Develop on the soft tissues inside the cheeks or lips, underneath the tongue or at the base of the gums
• Arent contagious
• Are round with a white or yellow center and a red border
• Generally heal within one to two weeks
• Caused by immune-suppressing viruses, autoimmune disorders and auto-inflammatory disorders
• Can be triggered by an accidental cheek bite, food sensitivity, injury from dental work, hormonal changes, bacteria and stress

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One Option For Ongoing Therapy: Taking Drugs Regularly

Some people with genital herpes choose to take antiviral medication daily to reduce the number of symptom outbreaks they have. In some cases, daily therapy prevents outbreaks completely.

Numerous studies over the years have demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of all three of the approved antivirals used to treat genital herpes.

Studies have also shown that daily antiviral therapy reduces the rate of transmission from an HSV-2 infected person to an uninfected partner of the opposite sex.

Daily therapy also lowers the odds of infecting other people if you have multiple sex partners or if you are a man who has sex with men.

The drugs work both for people who have had herpes symptoms and for those whose blood tests show they have an HSV-2 infection but who have never had symptoms.

Some people choose to take antiviral drugs only as needed, for outbreaks that occur after the first one. For this to work, you need to start taking the medicine within one day of sores cropping up or during the time period that comes before some outbreaks.

During the prodrome, you may feel

• Burning in the area where the virus first entered your body
• Itching or tingling in that area
• Pain in your back, buttocks, thighs, or knees

Your doctor will probably give you a prescription you can fill and keep handy for timely use, and tell you to start taking the drugs just as soon as symptoms begin.

Why Cold Sores Come Back

Cold sores are caused by a virus called herpes simplex.

Once you have the virus, it stays in your skin for the rest of your life. Sometimes it causes a cold sore.

Most people are exposed to the virus when they’re young after close skin to skin contact, such as kissing, with someone who has a cold sore.

It does not usually cause any symptoms until you’re older. You will not know if it’s in your skin unless you get a cold sore.

Page last reviewed: 20 July 2020 Next review due: 20 July 2023

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What Gets Rid Of Cold Sores Fast

Cold sores are painful, unsightly sores that usually pop up around your mouth. They are caused by a virus called the herpes simplex virus . The sores arent dangerous but they are uncomfortable. You can also pass them to other people easily.

Learn more about cold sores and how to get rid of them fast.

What Are Possible Complications Of Cold Sores In A Child

In most children, cold sores dont cause serious illness. In some cases, the herpes simplex virus can cause inflammation of the brain . This is a serious illness and needs to be treated right away. It can lead to long-term problems of the brain.

Cold sores in a newborn baby can cause serious illness and death. This may be the case even when treated with medicine.

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Final Thoughts On The Home Remedies For Herpes Sores

Herpes sores can be quite difficult to get rid of on the body. Luckily, there are some useful home remedies and healing processes which you can use as herpes treatment if you want to try a natural approach. From oregano oil to the simple warm water, you can choose between a lot of solutions. However, it is a good idea to prevent such problems from appearing. Taking care of your diet, sleep schedule, and hygiene can help you avoid herpes in the future. Similarly, dont have unprotected sex and try to keep an eye on the herpes symptoms before they evolve.