According to the Medline Plus website, almost everyone has contracted herpes Labialis to reach adulthood. The good thing is that there are several home remedies to relieve mouth sores caused by herpes sores.
The best remedy for cold sores is to stop outbreaks before they occur.
What are cold sores
The virus that causes cold sores is usually transferred by kissing or close contact with someone who has an active outbreak. Once infected, the virus remains for life and several factors can cause an outbreak.
Outbreaks of cold sores are red blisters on the lips.
Generally, a feeling of tingling, itching or burning in the lip is the signal that will appear an outbreak.
How to prevent outbreaks
Sunscreen
Sunlight can cause an outbreak of cold sores in many people. Although there is no scientific evidence, using protective sunscreen when you go out, is a way to prevent outbreaks.
Lip balm
Wind and dry weather can also cause an outbreak. If you are exposed to the wind, or if you live in an arid place, use lip balm to keep your lips moist and prevent blisters go out.
Diet
Lysine is an amino acid that fights herpes virus. Foods that are rich in lysine include milk, fish, meat and vegetables. Furthermore, an amino acid arginine is friendly to the virus.
Some foods that are rich in arginine are chocolate, nuts, peanuts and almonds. To prevent outbreaks of cold sores, increase lysine intake and reduce foods containing arginine.
Also avoid hot drinks, spicy foods, salty and citrus.
Home remedies for cold sore outbreaks
If you already got the blisters, there are certain ways to alleviate the lesion. It is important to wash the blister gently with antiseptic soap and water. This helps to prevent the spreading of the virus to other areas of body.
Black tea
A black tea bag used as a compress on the injury can reduce pain and help heal the blister.
Garlic for cold sores
One of the popular remedies for cold sores is garlic, as it is a natural antiviral. You can cut a clove of garlic in a half and place it over the blister.
Hot or cold
Apply ice or hot cloth on the sores to help relieve pain.
Relieve the blister with milk
Use a cotton cloth soaked in milk on the sore to relieve the pain and speed healing. This remedy can be used when they begin to feel the symptoms of tingling in the lip.
Avoid other infection
Pull the toothbrush or lip products that were used while the wound was present. Probably, these objects have been contaminated with the herpes virus and its use after disappearing herpes can infect the skin, causing a new outbreak of blisters.
