subject: Getting Rid Of A Cold Sore [print this page] If you are in search for cures for cold sores-there is some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that there is actually no cure for cold sores. This can be a distressing realization for people that are only now becoming familiar with the pain and discomfort that cold sores can cause.
The good news however is that although there are no cold sore cures currently recognized by the medical community, some of the many over-the-counter solutions available on the market can actually be quite helpful in relieving the more bothersome symptoms of the condition. Although these solutions won't really help much in terms of getting rid of a cold sore entirely, they can certainly make the condition a lot more tolerable.
"Why do i get cold sores?" This is the question that is foremost on the minds of so many people, but the answer isn't quite so straightforward. We already know that the cold sore is caused by the herpes simplex virus or HSV-1, which lives in up to 90% of the world's population. This is easy enough to explain as being the cause of the condition, but the actual trigger that sets off the chain of events that lead to a full-blown cold sore outbreak is a bit more difficult to pin down.
For some people, cold sores are a result of stress or trauma. Others may develop cold sores at certain items of the year, with the episodes almost being too easy to predict with surprising accuracy. For some people who deal with cold sores on a frequent basis, it almost seems as if they can predict just when a sore will make an appearance.
One of the simplest ways to get rid of cold sore fast-or at least to shorten the recovery process-is to use ice. All you have to do is to apply ice onto the affected area, although it would be a good idea to wrap it in a clean towel first. Applying ice directly on the skin can cause too much discomfort, so wrap it up first. Leave the ice pack on the affected area for a few minutes and then reapply at 10 to 15 minute intervals for up to 30 minutes or so. In addition to helping bring down the swelling, this will also help numb the area and thereby reduce the pain somewhat.
Coating the sore with some kind of topical solution is still one of the most popular cures for cold sores. There are many over-the-counter solutions that have been developed for this very purpose, although you should make sure that the product you are buying is intended specifically for getting rid of a cold sore. Keep in mind that there are many over-the-counter solutions formulated for other conditions of the lips and/or skin, and they may not be suitable for getting rid of a cold sore. When in doubt, check the label and if possible, ask your doctor if it is alright for you to take those particular cold sore cures.
