http://www.coldsoretreatmentguide.com/

Jan 26
09:42

2008

Mark Hazard

Mark Hazard

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

The misery of cold sores is endured by millions of people through both the physical discomfort as well as the anguish that comes from having a weeping sore on their lip that can last as long as ten days. Unfortunately once infected the virus is with us for life and so there is no absolute cure for cold sores, although lifestyle modifications can have a dramatic effect of the frequency of cold sore attacks and help the healing process.

mediaimage

The misery of cold sores is endured by millions of people through both the physical discomfort as well as the anguish that comes from having a weeping sore on their lip that can last as long as ten days. Unfortunately once infected the virus is with us for life and so there is no absolute cure for cold sores,http://www.coldsoretreatmentguide.com/ Articles although lifestyle modifications can have a dramatic effect of the frequency of cold sore attacks and help the healing process.

Although the virus - herpes simplex virus I - remains in the body once infected, it lies dormant in the nerve cells most of the time because the immune system is strong enough to subdue it. But as soon as the immune system is weakened, the virus begins to replicate and moves from under the skin to the surface, at which time a fluid-filled blister forms. The blister later bursts and becomes the cold sore.

The first phase of any long-term cold sore treatment is therefore aimed at preventing the virus becoming strong enough to activate, as can be achieved by eating a healthy, well balanced diet; taking regular exercise, such as 30 minutes walking every day; ensuring adequate sleep and avoiding overtiredness; avoiding periods of prolonged stress. These all can contribute to keeping your immune system working at its best and help reduce the number of cold sore attacks.

However, even if you follow this advice there will be times in which your cold sores make reappearance, which is when you need to move into the second phase of your cold sore treatment. I mentioned before, it is not possible to completely cure cold sores, or at least at the moment, but you can treat the symptoms when they occur.

One method is through the use of anti-viral medication that contains penciclovir or acyclovir. These drugs act as a suppressant to herpes simplex virus I and if applied when the tingling sensation first starts can interfere with the virus's ability to replicate, reducing the severity of attack compared with it being untreated.

The other method for tackling cold sores when they appear is through natural remedies, some of which date back to Roman times. One popular treatment is to take L-Lysine supplements which can act to reduce the severity of attacks and the application of ice to the infected area when the tingling sensation appears is also popular.