Cold sores are a typical infection caused by a virus. We discover some natural remedies and advice to improve its symptoms and prevent its appearance easily.
Cold sores, also known as cold sores, are caused by a virus, the herpes simplex virus type 1, which can sometimes remain dormant or inactive in people who have been infected by that virus.
The contagion mainly occurs in childhood or adolescence; it is spread through saliva, through a kiss or by sharing a glass or drink. In some people, even if they have the cold sore virus, it does not appear again and they only suffer from it once in their lives.
Although it is most likely that once we have a first cold sore we are exposed to it appearing again at any time.
Some situations in our lives can predispose us to herpes labials reappearing, such as stress, fatigue, lowered defenses, hormonal changes, menstruation, colds or flu, cold, sun without protection on the lips.
Symptoms of cold sores
The symptoms produced by cold sores are several since some first symptoms arise that alert us that cold sores are about to appear and then as the days go by, with the herpes gone, we go through others, until the herpes reaches scar.
- The first symptoms begin with tingling in the lip, itching, stitches, discomfort and even a few tenths of a fever, especially at night.
- Then some pupae or small blisters begin to appear which contain fluids and are painful.
- The blisters open, it is the most painful and contagious moment.
- After passing this time, herpes forms a dry, brown scab, and when the scab breaks it stings and bleeds.
- After this time, the cold sore begins to heal; the scab is completely released and ends up healing.
It is extremely important once herpes has appeared to maintain hygiene and prevention measures to avoid spreading cold sores to other people. Therefore, hygiene during these times should be meticulous, we should not touch herpes and if we do touch it, we should immediately wash our hands.
It is advisable not to share glasses, cutlery and towels, as well as to avoid kissing and physical contact with your partner. Once it has disappeared, we must also change towels, sheets and a toothbrush.
Tips to prevent the appearance or a new outbreak of cold sores
Here are some tips to prevent cold sore outbreaks.
Strengthening our immune system is essential so that seasonal changes as well as sudden changes in temperature catch us strong, since one of the reasons why herpes can flare up again is a drop in defenses.
Diet also plays an important role in prevention, since the deficiency of some foods that contain L-lysine predisposes people with these deficiencies to frequent appearances of cold sores.
L-lysine is an essential amino acid found in some animal protein sources. Therefore, if a cold sore appears frequently, we should reinforce the intake of these foods if we do not consume them frequently: foods rich in animal proteins such as meat, milk and dairy products, eggs, oily fish.
In the world of vegetables we can also find L-lysine in green leafy vegetables, watercress, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, parsley, asparagus, and legumes such as lentils, beans, chickpeas, broad beans, peas, soybeans, tofu, and yeast of beer, algae, quinoa, and nuts such as peanuts.
There are contributions of L-lysine that we can find in herbalists, natural product stores, Para pharmacies, although the indications about its purchase as well as its consumption should be done under medical supervision or following the advice of nutrition specialists.
It is always better to carry out a healthy and balanced diet in which this essential amino acid is present and thus we will avoid suffering from these deficiencies.
Natural remedies for cold sores
The infusions that we recommend below are intended for their properties to strengthen our immune system and thus prevent a drop in defenses and a possible outbreak of cold sores.
Burdock infusion
Burdock has soothing properties, is rich in tannins and helps reduce the strength of the virus that causes cold sores to break out, helping us to be strong against the virus.
To prepare this infusion we need a teaspoon of dried burdock and a cup of mineral water.
We put the water to heat and once it starts to boil we add the burdock. Remove from the heat, cover the infusion and let it rest for 8 to 10 minutes.
Uncover the infusion, strain it and let it cool. Once warm we can take it.
If you like infusions with a sweet touch, we can add a teaspoon of honey or brown cane sugar. Burdock infusion can be taken 3 times a day.
Echinacea infusion
Echinacea is a medicinal plant that helps us increase our defenses, with which we can prevent the appearance of cold sores or their outbreaks.
We will prepare this infusion with a teaspoon of Echinacea and a cup of mineral water.
We put the water to boil and once it is boiling we add the Echinacea. Remove from the heat, cover the infusion and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Once it is warm, we will take it; if you prefer sweet we can add a teaspoon of honey. We can take this infusion one a day, for a month, and then we will rest for three months.
Passionflower and lemon balm infusion
Another of the preventions that we can take is to try to calm down when we go through moments of stress, anxiety, so a good infusion with relaxing properties is very good for us.
On many occasions, stress and lack of rest also contribute to our defenses suffering, so we can say that viruses lie in wait for us, such as the cold sore virus.
We will prepare this infusion with these two wonderful plants. To prepare it we need a teaspoon of passionflower, a teaspoon of lemon balm, and a cup of mineral water.
We start by boiling the water and once it starts to boil add the herbs, cover the infusion and remove it from the heat.
Let stand for 10 minutes. When it is warm we can take it. The infusion of passionflower and lemon balm can be taken every night, it will help us relax and fall asleep.
