How to prevent and treat cold sores

Cold sores can be both a cosmetic problem, and a health concern.If you are afflicted with cold sores, you may wonder if you can ever get rid of them.The bottom line is that although you can never get rid of the cold sore virus, it is possible to make sure you never have to suffer from cold sores again! Even if you have repeatedly gotten one cold sore after another, the good news is that there is a simple, natural treatment that will get them under control. However, it is important to understand how a cold sore happens and be prepared to treat it when it does occur. The key to being successful in treating a cold sore is to have the right treatment on hand. This is because there is only one good thing about cold sores-they come with an early warning system.Cold sore sufferers report a strange tingling sensation just before they erupt. It is important to know, that if you can start treatment then, you can prevent the sore from even forming. Here is what you need to know about how to prevent and treat cold sores-

• Lysine-This is the best bet when it comes to preventing cold sores. Best of all, Lysine is an effective treatment as well as a great method of prevention. You will find it at your local health food store. Experts recommend taking the 500 mg tablets. To treat a cold sore with Lysine you should take one tablet every hour for up to 8 hours.It is important to keep in mind that the sore will not disappear, but it should flatten, and become less angry. If you do not see improvement, you can repeat the treatment next day. After that day begin taking one tablet 3 times a day for a week, (whether or not the cold sore has disappeared), to help avoid another flare-up. Remember that if you are experiencing recurring cold sores, it is perfectly safe to take Lysine long-term as a preventative measure, (one or two a day). It has been found to be most effective on an empty stomach.
• Acyclovir or Aciclovir-This is the most effective solution for treating a potential cold sore. You will want to get a cold sore cream that contains either of these two ingredients.Best of all, these creams come in a tiny tube tuck conveniently in purse, or pocket. It is important to remember however, that you cannot just put a little on and then forget about it.You need to keep using the cream for at least 24 hours, even if the tingling sensation is gone. One note of caution is to be sure to read the package before purchasing, because if the cream does not claim to have an established effect on cold sores, it really does not.
• Homeopathic remedies-Unfortunately, at this time there does not seem to be a great natural treatment for cold sores.Those "natural" cures that claim to treat cold sores are usually just creams that have nothing more then moisturizers to prevent cracking. While it may make it feel better, you should understand that softening the cold sore can actually prolong the attack.This is because the virus that causes cold sores likes to be moist.
• Rubbing alcohol-If you do not want to use a medicated cream you can dab on rubbing alcohol (also known as: ethylated or surgical spirits) to help dry out the cold sore, and speed up the healing. Just put a little on a cotton ball, or swab, and gently apply to the cold sore.