How to Get Rid of Cold Sores

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Not only are they unsightly, but cold sores can also be very painful and inconvenient. While there may not be an instant cure-all for cold sores, there are definitely some steps you can take in order slow the infection and make it go away sooner. Here are just a few tips to help get rid of cold sores.

Vanilla

Vanilla is both delicious and, apparently, also a great treatment for cold sores! Soak a Q-tip or cotton swab in vanilla extract, dab it on the cold sore, and repeat about four times every day until you don’t need to anymore.

Toothbrush

Once a cold sore has formed, you’ll want to throw away your toothbrush; it can be a vehicle for the virus to live and travel around the rest of your mouth. Replace the toothbrush and then, once the cold sore is gone, get another new toothbrush so you can start off fresh!

Whole Milk Compress

Whole milk contains lots of proteins and nutrients that are good for your body and health. One of those even helps fight off the bacteria in cold sores! Take a small towel, cloth, or cotton ball; soak it in some whole milk; and then press it against your cold sore. Repeat this as necessary.

Coconut Oil

While coconut oil may not provide full relief, it does help tackle how uncomfortable these pesky sores are, and if applied at the right time, can prevent large sores from forming. When you feel that first sting, apply a dab of coconut oil to the effected area. Be sure to wash hands well before and after application. In most cases, the sore will heal without forming a scab. Perfect!

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint is supposedly really good at killing viruses, PLUS it smells great so it’s perfect for applying to cold sores. The sooner you apply the peppermint oil, the faster it will go away.

Vitamin C and E

Another simple (and yummy) way to get rid of your cold sore is by eating foods rich in Vitamins C and E. Good sources of Vitamin C are tomatoes, broccoli, and any kind of red berry. Nuts, whole grains, and leafy green vegetables are great for getting Vitamin E.

Cornstarch Paste

Not only does a cornstarch paste help heal cold sores, but it also helps relieve itching and burning. Mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with one teaspoon of water, mix it up, and then apply the paste to your cold sore.

Aloe Gel

Aloe works great at soothing burns, but it’s also a great way to treat cold sores. It relieves the irritation and also kills the virus so the cold sore goes away sooner. Apply about ½ a teaspoon of aloe gel to the infection.

Ice It

If you don’t have any of the previously mentioned supplies, don’t worry; there’s still help! Just take a piece of ice and put it on the cold sore for as long as possible. This will help keep the cold sore from drying out and also relieve some of the pain.

Petroleum Jelly

No matter which treatment above that you chose, it’s always a good idea to add a dab of petroleum jelly to the cold sore in order to keep it clean and protected. The jelly keeps the virus from spreading and, also, keeps you from picking at the cold sore and making it worse.