Natural Skin Care

Heal cold sores in a hurry using these proven methods. If you will let me, I will give you some great ideas you can use today to speed heal cold sores.

Want to heal cold sores? You will find there are only two basic ways. Either way can be used by itself. But, combining the two gives you a big edge in your effort to heal cold sores.

Your body can and will heal cold sores on its own. But it is a slow process. It often takes three to four weeks - or more. You do not have to tolerate the discomfort of a cold sore that long with what we know today.

If you want to heal cold sores as quickly as possible, it is important to understand the underlying cause of the outbreak. Perhaps you know, but let us touch on it briefly for those that do not.

The cold sore virus is the herpes simplex virus - either type 1 or type 2. This microscopic virus drills into a cell and forces the cell to create virus clones. Once full, the new virus is released by destruction of the host cell.

First, redness and swelling occur as the cells create new virus. Then the host cells break open, creating the open wound. We are very fortunate that this virus only creates sores on the surface, or it would pose a serious health risk.

There are only two ways to heal cold sores. Here they are.

1. HEAL COLD SORES BY TREATING THEM INTERNALLY.

Your first step, if you experience several cold sore breakouts each year, is to take a good multi-vitamin daily.

Believe it - this is a very powerful and effective cold sore remedy. The virus cannot get any traction when your immune system is strong and is not weakened by daily stress.

In addition to a daily multi-vitamin regimen, taking lysine supplements during an outbreak will stop, or slow down, the virus replication process.

Many folks use lysine capsules for convenience, but high lysine foods will help too. During a cold sore event, 2000 to 5000 milligrams of lysine per day is safe and quite effective.

The more quickly you stop the virus and send it back into hibernation, the faster you will heal cold sores.

Multiple and frequent outbreaks often is a sign of calcium deficiency. Your body uses calcium, either from diet or your bones, to keep your body from becoming acidic. The higher your alkaline level the higher your oxygen levels. Oxygen is very anti-virus.

Most good vitamin supplements already contain 1000 milligrams of calcium per day. You may want to take an additional 1000 to 2000 milligrams daily on top of that.

2. HEAL COLD SORES BY EXTERNAL APPLICATION OF REMEDIES.

The most common way to heal cold sores is with a good topical cold sore treatment. This can be a salve, ointment, oil or lotion. The direct approach produces the fastest results, by far.

Zinc based ointments are very effective. Look for zinc sulfate or zinc gluconate on the ingredient label. Other forms of zinc, such as zinc oxide, do not absorb well and will not help.

Two, strong anti-viral oils that are great as topical remedies are garlic and oregano. Either of these will chase away the cold sore virus quickly, and promote speedy healing of the wound.

After the sore has actually opened up, the damage is done and it is now in the healing phase. Using a wet tea bag, on top of the oils mentioned above, will heal cold sores very fast.

Additionally, constantly cleansing the sore with alcohol or peroxide is very important for fast healing. It can also prevent re-infection, or spreading the virus to a new location.

As stated at the beginning - your body knows how to heal cold sores without any extra help. But that is no reason for you to suffer any longer than necessary. The methods you have just read will greatly reduce the time of healing.

Imagine eliminating the embarrassing and painful sore in less time than ever before. Plus, you can now reduce the number of future outbreaks.

Using internal remedies to support the external remedies you are using is the best and quickest road to heal cold sores rapidly.