What Can You Do About Stress
If youre getting recurring cold sores this is probably an indication that you are a bit run down, stressed and working too hard. It can be a good reminder to look after yourself!
Tackle stress at the root
You firstly need to figure out whats causing you so much stress is it young children, a stressful job, an unpleasant commute, exams, or financial problems?
Find some ways to reduce whatever problem is causing you stress. Ask friends or family for some help with children, speak to your managers/team about your workload, or consider moving jobs altogether! Taking some time to fill out planners and to-do lists can be a great way to get your mind organised and keep on top of things.
Some people find that they are just generally stressful people, who find it difficult to relax and cope with minor stressors. This can make finding one source quite difficult.
Helpful herbs
Stress-relieving herbs help to provide extra support as you work through your stress. They are particularly useful when there isnt much you can do to reduce stressors such as during exam time or if you are a generally on-edge person who is easily stressed out by even minor things.
Try our own AvenaCalm which contains avena sativa or the slightly stronger Stress Relief Daytime which contains both valerian and hops.
Look after yourself!
You should take some steps to support your body through stressful times! Eating well, getting some exercise and taking plenty of time to rest are good places to start.
Aloe Vera Is Totally Natural And Can Relieve Cold Sore Discomfort
The slick sap of the aloe vera plant has often been touted for its benefits in helping the skin heal from minor cuts, sunburns, and other troubles. But did you know that aloe vera is a cold sore treatment? Dabbing a bit of aloe vera on your cold sore a few times a day may ease your discomfort and help speed healing. You could keep it chilled in the refrigerator for an additional soothing sensation. One of the benefits of this cold sore treatment is that you do not have to worry if a little bit gets into your mouth.
No More Cold Sores Please Book Me In
If youre tired of fighting your cold sore with the usual creams, lotions, potions and voodoo magic, give us a call. We can save your sanity by waving our magic laser.
If youve got the tingle book in by calling 5623 5588 or pop in and see our smiling faces at 49 Victoria Street, Warragul, 3820.
Cold sores be GONE!
**Hey! We love how many of you are interested in this service but please note we can only zap your coldsore in Warragul, Gippsland . Were not able to recommend Dentists in your area. If you want to fly/drive to us though, were more than happy to help out!
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When Should I Call The Doctor
- is younger than 6 months old and gets a cold sore
- has a weakened immune system, which could allow the HSV infection to spread and cause problems in other parts of the body
- has sores that don’t heal by themselves within 2 weeks
- has any sores near the eyes or irritation of the eyes
- gets cold sores a lot
Natural Cold Sore Remedies
1. Eat Immune-Boosting Foods
Cold sores can be very serious for people with weakened immune systems, so eating foods that serve as immune system boosters can be very helpful.
Probiotic foods like yogurt, apple cider vinegar, kimchi, sauerkraut and natto boost the immune system naturally. Vegetables are also great sources of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that can help you to fight off infections. Try this Immune-Boosting Juice Recipe to keep cold sores at bay.
2. Supplement with Vitamin E
Vitamin E soothes the skin and may help to relieve pain and discomfort from cold sores. It repairs damaged skin, reduces inflammation and has antioxidant properties.
Vitamin E can be taken as oral capsules, or you can boost your levels with vitamin E-rich foods, such as almonds, spinach, sweet potatoes, avocados, sunflower seeds and olive oil.
3. Supplement with Vitamin C
Boost your white blood cell count with vitamin C, which helps defend your body against invaders. Take a vitamin C capsule to boost immunity and promote skin health and, of course, heal cold sores.
You can also eat vitamin C foods like oranges, red peppers, green peppers, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, strawberries, grapefruit and kiwi.
4. Boost Your Zinc Intake
You can also take advantage of these zinc benefits and avoid zinc deficiency which can increase the risk of cold sores with certain foods, including grass-fed beef, chickpeas, cashews, pumpkin seeds yogurt, chicken, turkey, eggs, salmon and mushrooms.
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What Causes Cold Sores On The Lip
Cold sores are caused by the contagious herpes simplex virus , of which there are two types.
Herpes type 1 is usually the culprit of cold sores, but herpes type 2 can also cause them, says Laura Purdy, MD, a family medicine doctor and medical director for Wisp.
HSV-1 is a common and highly contagious virus typically transmitted through skin-to-skin contact involving the mouth like kissing and oral sex while HSV-2 is mostly transmitted through genital-to-genital contact.
It’s important to note, however, that you can contract herpes and not have cold sores. In fact, many people don’t know they have HSV-1 because they’re asymptomatic.
You may experience recurring outbreaks of cold sores when you first contract the virus. This is when you’re most contagious, especially when blisters are oozing fluid. However, these outbreaks often .
After a while, cold sores typically only show up when triggered. Here are some common triggers for cold sore outbreaks, according to Purdy:
- Viral infection, like the common cold or flu
- Sunburn on the lips, or exposure to strong sunlight
- Chapped, cracked skin on or around the lips
- Using harsh, irritating skin or cosmetic products around the lips that disrupt the skin barrier
Everyone who has the herpes virus is different, and some people may simply be more prone to frequent outbreaks, says Purdy.
What Are Cold Sores Home Remedies
Cold sores contain the HSV-1 virus. People with cold sores should wash their hands often, especially after touching the face. Cups and eating utensils should not be shared with another person. A home remedy like cold compresses may relieve pain temporarily.
- Lysine, an amino acid, was once thought to be a potential treatment, but the facts supporting this are unconvincing.
- Other home remedies, including vitamin E oil, vitaminsupplements, nail polish remover, and changes in diet, have not been well studied.
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Best Cold Sore Remedies Overnight 2022 100% Working
Cold Sore Remedies Overnight: There is nothing worse than a pestering pain of cold sores often known as fever blisters that keeps you up at night, with burning sensations around the edge of lips 24 to 48 hrs before.
They last up to 3 to 4 days and takes 7 to 10 days to clear up. Those 7-10 days can be brutal and no matter what you tried getting rid of cold sores you could just never do it while you wait.
Try to take care of it the best you can but luckily there are some old-fashioned remedies in which you can find comfort though there are drugs available in the market remedies from household works much better.
When cold sores do appear, they typically follow the five stages:
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Contents
Can Cold Sores Be Prevented
There are steps you can take to prevent spreading cold sores to others if you have them:
- Avoid any direct physical contact with other people, particularly kissing or intimate sexual activities such as oral sex.
- Always wash your hands if you touch the affected area.
- Try not to share things like cups, cutlery, towels, toothbrushes, razors, flannels and cold sore creams with anyone else.
- Try not to pick at a cold sore as this can lead to further infection and/or scarring.
There are also ways to prevent spreading cold sores from erupting again:
- Try to avoid your triggers. Triggers are different for different people but can include things like a cold , sunlight, very windy conditions, emotional or physical stress and hormonal changes.
- Take care of your general health avoid getting run down and overly stressed.
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How Do You Get Rid Of A Cold Sore
Although it may take a while to get rid of a cold sore, some medicines can shorten the healing time and make the symptoms less painful. Cold sore treatments include:
- Over-the-counter medications: You can buy without a prescription creams or ointments that you apply directly to the cold sore. If you start using these creams when you first notice tingling or itching before the cold sore forms you may be able to prevent the cold sore from appearing.
- Oral antiviral medicine: Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication that you take orally .
- Intravenous antiviral medicine: If other medications arent working, your doctor may need to prescribe an antiviral medication that will be administered through an IV. In this case, your doctor will monitor you closely throughout treatment.
What Not To Do With Cold Sores
Certain habits or behaviors could trigger a cold-sore outbreak or make new cold sores appear elsewhere on your body.
Avoid triggers. This means that if you know a hot, sunny day at the beach or a lot of stress makes you break out in cold sores, try to stay out of those situations when you can. You may be able to stop it in its tracks, or at least keep it from getting worse.
Donât touch. If you pick at your cold sore, you may spread the virus to another part of your body. That will just make your outbreak worse. Keep your hands away from your mouth, and wash your hands often, especially when you touch your face.
Donât pop sores. The virus is most likely to spread after a cold sore appears and before it heals. Popping the sores may spread the virus to other parts of your body.
Donât give or receive oral sex. When you have a cold sore, you can spread it to other parts of the body, including the genitals.
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Cold Sore Stages Symptoms And Treatment
Posted on June 27, 2019 by Site Admin – News & Updates
If you suspect you have a cold sore developing, its best to be proactive to decrease the duration of your discomfort. While cold sores can be a little embarrassing, theyre absolutely common and there are lots of ways to limit a flare ups impact on your life. In this article, we demystify what a cold sore is, explain what causes cold sores, discuss common triggers that may cause a cold sore outbreak, the symptoms of a cold sore and how to treat them.
What Are The Best Ways To Get Rid Of A Cold Sore
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for cold sores, and it can take between two to four weeks for a cold sore to heal on its own. But, there are things you can do to make them go away faster.
Here are three things that can help soothe a cold sore or make it clear up faster:
1. Try home remedies. When used early, there are several remedies that can help ease the pain and reduce swelling and may even shorten the duration of a cold sore:
- Cold, damp washcloth
- Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen
2. Apply topical creams and ointments. There are a few over-the-counter anesthetic ointments and creams that can help control pain, such as lidocaine or benzocaine. Some products, such as those containing docosanol or benzyl alcohol, may even promote faster healing when used early and in plentiful amounts.
3. Take prescription medications. There are antiviral drugs that can help cold sores heal faster, including acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir and penciclovir. If you’re having frequent outbreaks or experiencing some of the serious side effects of having a cold sore, your doctor may consider prescribing antiviral medication.
“To get rid of a cold sore quickly, the best thing you can do is start treating it as soon as possible,” says Dr. Brown. “A burning or tingling sensation on your lips or face can be an early warning sign that a cold sore is developing, and the earlier you start reducing swelling and treating the cold sore, the faster it will heal.”
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Tips To Help Manage Cold Sores
How Can I Get Rid Of Cold Sores Quickly
They’re painful. They’re unsightly. They’re annoying. Cold sores are just plain unwelcome. When one pops up on your lip or mouth, you probably immediately think: What’s the fastest way to get rid of this thing?
“Herpes simplex virus the virus that causes cold sores is incredibly contagious, and infection with the virus is really common,” says Dr. Donald Brown, primary care practitioner at Houston Methodist. “In fact, more than 50% of adults in the U.S. are infected with the type of herpes virus that most commonly causes cold sores. Interestingly, however, most people who contract the virus never actually develop symptoms.”
If the virus does cause cold sores, it can spread from person-to-person through close contact, like kissing. But, while you may not know it, the virus can also spread by sharing:
- Cosmetics
- Utensils and drinking glasses
“The virus is most contagious when a cold sore is present, particularly when the blister begins to ooze,” Dr. Brown adds. “However, it’s important to know that you can still spread the virus long after a cold sore heals as well as when a blister isn’t even present.”
For those who are no stranger to those painful, fluid-filled blisters, when you get a cold sore, you probably want it gone fast.
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How Can My Dentist Help With A Coldsore
We thought youd never ask.
In addition to the usual creams and anti-viral treatment out there, we have a less fiddly, one-off treatment that works wonders in minutes.
At Warragul Dental Care we have a laser that can literally zap the virus away. Its low level laser treatment that targets the cold sore and stops the Herpes virus in its tracks. Its completely painless and the full treatment takes no more than 20 minutes.
All we do is hold the laser over the cold sore for a few minutes and youre done! The only downside is that you wont have enough time to watch a full episode of your favourite Netflix show during the treatment.
Youll get immediate relief from the blisters and within a few days the scabs should have completely disappeared.
Can Stress Cause Cold Sores
Unfortunately, the answer is yes. As if we needed something else to stress over! Alongside internal factors like anxiety, hormonal changes, and exhaustion, stress is a common condition that can trigger the development of cold sore symptoms. 1 Because prolonged stress levels can weaken the immune system 2 and shifts in immune function can trigger the dormant cold sore virus, you can experience a cold sore outbreak even without coming into physical contact with bodily fluids. 3 Whats more, those who have weakened immune systems are also more susceptible to complications from the cold sore virus.4
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What Causes Cold Sores
It’s pretty simple: All cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, or HSV, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. There are two types of herpes virus type 1 or HSV-1, often known as oral herpes, and type 2, or HSV-2, known as genital herpes . Both strains can cause cold sores, though the skin concern is highly associated with HSV-1. Between 50% and 80% of U.S. adults are estimated to have oral herpes, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, making cold sores quite common amongst the general population. Stress and lack of sleep can even lead to flare-ups.
Once you get the herpes virus, it sticks with you for life, meaning there’s no way to “cure” HSV-1 or HSV-2 . But there are ways to minimize symptoms of both viruses and that includes lessening the severity and frequency of cold sores. If you’re amongst the U.S. majority that experiences cold sores, read up on these ways to treat the HSV symptom through pain relief methods and optimal healing practices.
Cold Sores: Common And Contagious
Cold sores are common and mostly harmless. Theyre caused by the herpes simplex virus, which spreads easily from person to person.
In some lucky people, the virus might cause a cold sore onceor twice and never rear its head again. But for other people, they come backagain and again, sometimes several times a year. And that gets old real fast.
They tend to go away on their own in 10 to 14 days, says Dr.Beers. But that doesnt make them any less annoying.
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