Know any home remedies for cold sores?!
Question:
Know any home remedies for cold sores?
Answers:
Apply sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) to the lips to prevent recurrences.
Don't touch the blisters. This can spread the virus, as can sharing personal items such as towels, razors, drinking glasses, or toothbrushes
Try meditation, yoga, or other forms of relaxation to reduce stress, which is thought to precipitate cold sores.
Stay away from nuts, chocolate, whole-grain cereals, and gelatin. They contain a large amount of the amino acid arginine, which some doctors think triggers cold sores. Lysine may counteract its effect.
Supplements can be safely used with prescription antiviral creams, such as acyclovir or penciclovir, which also promote healing of cold sores.
Holding an ice cube to the affected area for a few minutes several times a day can help reduce pain and dry out the cold sore.
How Supplements Can Help -
Most useful is the amino acid lysine, which, when taken orally, suppresses the growth of HSV-1; in cream form, lysine can be applied directly to the sores. It's fine to use long term and may help prevent cold sores from forming. Also effective is a melissa cream made from the potent antiviral herb Melissa officinalis; use at the first sign of tingling.
Lysine: 1,000 mg 3 times a day for flare-ups, then 500 mg a day. Take on an empty stomach; don't take with milk.
Melissa Cream : Apply cream to sores 2-4 times a day. This herb is also called lemon balm.
Vitamin C/Flavonoids : 1,000 mg vitamin C and 500 mg flavonoids 3 times a day. Use for flare-ups; reduce dose if diarrhea develops.
Vitamin A : 25,000 IU twice a day for 5 days. Women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy should not exceed 5,000 IU a day.
Echinacea/Goldenseal : 200 mg echinacea and 125 mg goldenseal 4 times a day. Sold singly or as combination supplement.
Selenium: 600 mcg a day only during flare-ups. Don't exceed 600 mcg daily; higher doses may be toxic.
Flaxseed Oil : 1 tbsp. (14 grams) a day. Can be mixed with food; take in the morning