Try red wine

Try red wine
Getty Images

If you have an opened bottle of red wine handy, try one of the more folky cold sore remedies: Put a little bit in a saucer and let it sit until the liquid evaporates. Slather the sore with the solidified dregs and it should ease the pain on contact. The theory is that resveratrol, red wine’s potent antioxidant, can relieve the inflammation. This anti-inflammatory property is just another reason why you should drink a glass of red wine every night.

Advertisement

Toss your toothbrush

Toss your toothbrush
Getty Images

Cold sores are contagious and easily spread. Avoid worsening an outbreak and accidentally causing another by throwing out your toothbrush when the blister forms and again after it has cleared. Also throw away any other products that might have come into contact with the sore, especially lip balm or lipstick.

Beef up your B12 intake

Beef up your B12 intake
Getty Images

Studies have shown that people who tend to get cold sores also tend to have low levels of vitamin B12. Taking a daily B12 supplement might lessen your chances for developing the sores. Natural ways to get more B12 would be to eat more shellfish, crab, beef, dairy, and eggs, all of which are high in B12.

Here are 10 ways to make vitamins and minerals work better for you.

Take lysine supplements

Take lysine supplements
Getty Images

This amino acid emerges as a hands-down best healer out of all the cold sore remedies; research shows it thwarts the replication of the virus by interfering with the absorption of arginine, an amino acid that is suspected of being necessary for the herpes virus to replicate. Interfering with replication can prevent a cold sore from emerging or reduce the duration of an outbreak. Along with taking a lysine supplement (it’s advised to take 3,000 milligrams daily until the sore goes away), you can also consider upping your intake of poultry, eggs, dairy, and turkey, all of which are natural sources of lysine. Check with your doctor before taking any supplements.

Avoid foods with an unfavourable arginine-to-lysine ratio

Avoid foods with an unfavourable arginine-to-lysine ratio
Getty Images

Scientists believe that the amino acid arginine is necessary for the replication of the herpes virus. If you feel a cold sore developing, stop eating foods with an unfavourable lysine-to-arginine ratio, which can include chocolate, peanuts, almonds, seeds, cereal grains, gelatin, beer, and raisins.

Eat to boost your immune system

Eat to boost your immune system
Getty Images

Cold sores often occur when your immune system is weakened. To keep it strong, eat foods rich in vitamin C and zinc, both of which possess antioxidant powers that increase the immune system’s ability to help fight off the virus that causes cold sores. Berries, kiwis, citrus fruits, and melons are all high in vitamin C – in fact, these foods have more vitamin C than oranges – and beans, poultry, shellfish, and whole grains are good sources of zinc. Drinking echinacea tea can also boost your immune system and protect collagen, the basis of skin and mucous membranes, from breakdown by viral enzymes such as the cold sore virus.

Here are 20 secrets to steal from people who never get sick.

Stop touching it

Stop touching it
Getty Images

Resist the urge to pick at or touch a sore, even after it has crusted over. Your hands can introduce bacteria to the sore, preventing it from healing. Cold sores are also very contagious, and touching one can spread the virus to your eyes or genitals, which means you’ll need to apply even more cold sore remedies. Always wash your hands immediately after you touch the sore when applying any medicinal remedies. Throw away any cotton swabs or tissues you use to apply medicine, too.

Make sure you also wash your hands after touching these 10 things.

Know what triggers an outbreak

Know what triggers an outbreak
Getty Images

Cold sores are an outbreak of the herpes simplex virus, and learning what most often triggers your outbreak can help reduce how long they last and how severe they are. Common triggers include emotional stress, exhaustion, a weakened immune system (sometimes caused by medications), infections, hormonal changes, and exposure to ultra-violet radiation (ie, too much sun exposure). Avoid repeated outbreaks by incorporating these habits that boost your immune system into your daily routine.

Follow these 20 easy ways to stay healthy at every stage of life.

Sign up here to get Reader’s Digest’s favourite stories straight to your inbox!

Source: RD.com

Never miss a deal again - sign up now!

Connect with us: