Easy Natural Cold Sore Remedies
Fever blisters are sores caused by herpes zoster virus (HZV). The infection is more commonly referred to as cold sores. The infection is characterized by uncomfortable, eruptive and painful blisters filled with fluid. Cold sores are extremely contagious. The infection can spread from one person to the other by direct touch or by coming in contact with the fluid from the blister. Sometimes, fever blisters are confused with canker sores. Canker sores develop inside the mouth and are not contagious; moreover, they are caused due to bacterial infection.
The Cause Of Fever Blisters:
There are two known kinds of herpes zoster virus HZV 1 or type 1 and HZV 2 or type 2. Both the kinds of herpes[1] zoster are known to cause cold[2] sores but in most causes it is the type 1 which is the cause.
The symptoms of fever blisters:
Fever blisters or cold sores develop on the gums, lips, mouth and around the mouth. As the name suggests, fever is another symptom. Fever blister also causes body ache, fatigue[3] and enlarged lymph nodes. If the fever blister is not treated properly then it may keep reoccurring again and again. Fever blister is triggered by a weak immune system[4].
The stages of fever blister:
The fever blister outbreak usually lasts for nine to twelve days. The fever blister can be divided into five stages, which are:
1. Day 1 to 2 – Prodome stage: After the infection happens, the infected person feels itching, burning and titillating in and around the mouth.
2. Day 2 to 3 – Blister stage: when the blisters filled with fluid develop in and around the mouth.
3. Day 4 to 5- Weeping stage: when the blisters rupture or ulcerate and result in open sores. This is the most painful of all stages. This stage is also very contagious.
4. Day 5 to 8 – Crusting stage: the blisters start drying up and turning into crust. The srusts eventually dry up completely and fall off.
5. Day 9 to 12 – the healing stage: the crusts flake off completely, the sores are completely healed.
Home cures for fever blisters:
To cure fever blisters you must consult a medical doctor and take oral medications along with oral ointments. However, there are some home cures that are extremely effective in taking care of the symptoms and are helpful in reducing the course of fever blisters. The home cures are also successful in curbing recurrent outbreaks.
1. Ice packs: application of ice pack directly around the mouth helps in soothing the pain. The formation of blisters can be avoided if ice pack is placed for five minutes ever hour in the first or the prodome stage.
2. Tea Bags: Tannic acid present in tea bags is helpful in stopping the development of blisters[5]. Apply tea bags directly over the affected area twice in a day.
3. Aloe vera: aloe vera is very effective in treating fever blisters. Slice an alow vera leaf into half and scoop out the gel with a spoon. Apply fresh aloe vera gel on the affected skin. You can also use aloe vera extract.
4. Honey: honey has antiviral properties and it is helpful in curing cold sores. Apply honey directly over the affected area to reduce the duration of cold sores.
5. Diet: include more foods which are rich in Vitamin B and folic acid. Eliminate foods that have arginine such as nut, oatmeal, chocolate and whole grains. Avoid coffee, salty as well as spicy foods.
References
- ^ herpes (herbscancure.com)
- ^ cold (herbscancure.com)
- ^ fatigue (herbscancure.com)
- ^ immune system (herbscancure.com)
- ^ blisters (herbscancure.com)
- ^ herpes zoster virus (technorati.com)
- ^ virus (technorati.com)
- ^ cold sores (technorati.com)
- ^ fever blisters (technorati.com)
- ^ home cure (technorati.com)
- ^ home remedy (technorati.com)
- ^ cause (technorati.com)
- ^ symptoms (technorati.com)
- ^ blisters (technorati.com)
- ^ contagious (technorati.com)
- ^ vitamin B (technorati.com)
- ^ folic acid (technorati.com)
- ^ arginine (technorati.com)
- ^ diet (technorati.com)
- ^ infection (technorati.com)
