Heal cold sores - once difficult, but now very easy. By the time you are done reading this article, you will know how to quickly heal cold sores.
To heal cold sores, you will find there are but two basic methods. Either method can be used alone. However, using both at the same time will give you the best outcome when you want to heal cold sores.
Your body can and will heal cold sores on its own. But it is a slow process. It often takes three to four weeks - or more. You do not have to tolerate the discomfort of a cold sore that long with what we know today.
We all want to heal cold sores as soon as possible. To do so, let us quickly review what causes the actual cold sore outbreak - so we can better understand the enemy.
Herpes simplex virus is the cause of all cold sore outbreaks. It enters a surface cell and forces the cell to make exact replicas of the virus. Once the cell is full or exhausted, it is destroyed - releasing these fully functional virus copies.
First, redness and swelling occur as the cells create new virus. Then the host cells break open, creating the open wound. We are very fortunate that this virus only creates sores on the surface, or it would pose a serious health risk.
Following are the two methods you must choose from - if you want to quickly heal cold sores.
1. INTERNAL REMEDIES ARE AN EXCELLENT WAY TO HEAL COLD SORES.
Do you get more than one cold sore a year? If so, your first priority should be to take a top-rate vitamin and mineral supplement every single day.
You will soon find this to be the best cold sore prevention and healing method around. A quality vitamin supplement will build up a strong immune system defense against this and other types of viruses.
In addition to a daily multi-vitamin regimen, taking lysine supplements during an outbreak will stop, or slow down, the virus replication process.
Although it is good to consume high lysine foods, such as fish and dairy products, the 500-milligram capsules are much easier and very convenient. Lysine is a common protein and quite safe, even up to 7000 milligrams per day or more.
The more quickly you stop the virus and send it back into hibernation, the faster you will heal cold sores.
Do you get a lot of sores? If so, studies have shown that you could be calcium deficient. Calcium is the mineral responsible for keeping your body alkaline. This translates into higher oxygen levels. No virus can function in a high oxygen and alkaline environment.
Most good vitamin supplements already contain 1000 milligrams of calcium per day. You may want to take an additional 1000 to 2000 milligrams daily on top of that.
2. EXTERNAL REMEDIES WORK WELL TO HEAL COLD SORES.
The most common way to heal cold sores is with a good topical cold sore treatment. This can be a salve, ointment, oil or lotion. The direct approach produces the fastest results, by far.
Ointments that contain zinc, either in the form of sulfate or gluconate, work very well when applied to the sore. Watch out for other forms of zinc, such as zinc oxide, as they do not absorb readily.
Two very strong cold sore remedies are oregano and garlic oils. Both of these will stop any virus, bacteria or fungal infection, when put directly on the sore. They will greatly speed the healing process.
Once in the healing stage, the level of your health will determine how fast your body will heal cold sores. You can speed it along with the use of a warm, damp tea bag - along with the oils mentioned previously.
Additionally, constantly cleansing the sore with alcohol or peroxide is very important for fast healing. It can also prevent re-infection, or spreading the virus to a new location.
As mentioned at the top, your body is perfectly able to heal cold sores without your help. But, the cold sore treatment methods mentioned above will definitely increase your comfort and shorten the duration of your outbreak.
Not only will this mean a quicker return to your social obligations, but far less cold sore events and discomfort down the road.
You will find using both internal and external remedies, in combination, will provide you the highest level of success when you want to aggressively heal cold sores.