Studies have found that a variety of essential oils - which are concentrated oils containing plant compounds - have inhibitory effects against the herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores.Īlthough research is limited, a study from 2015 found that a variety of essential oils may slow down or prevent viral replication of the herpes virus, helping heal and prevent cold sores.Īccording to that study and another older study from 2007, the following essential oils show antiviral effects against the herpes virus: Be sure to dilute it before using, and then apply only once or twice per day. However, full-strength apple cider vinegar is too intense to use directly on a cold sore and could seriously irritate your skin. Many people are interested in using apple cider vinegar as a treatment because of its proposed ability to fight off bacteria, viruses, and other germs, according to 2019 research. You may also want to test it on a small area of skin, such as the inner forearm, to see how you react before applying it elsewhere. Before using this treatment, it may be best to discuss it with your dermatologist first. Reactions like irritation and allergic contact dermatitis have been known to occur from some of these treatments.įor example, it’s well-known that propolis, which is mentioned below, can cause allergic contact dermatitis in some individuals. Use caution when applying any new substances to your skin. You should discuss them with your doctor before use, and they shouldn’t replace more conventional treatments. However, you should know that there is insufficient data to support the routine use of these complementary therapies in treating cold sores. If you’re interested in a complementary approach for healing a cold sore, you have several options to choose from. You should note that while applying treatments may help quicken healing time, it may only be a slight increase.Ī 2018 review found that acyclovir, penciclovir, or docosanol were only “marginally” more efficient at treating cold sores than a placebo, shortening participants’ pain duration by fewer than 24 hours. When your cold sore begins to crust over and form a scab, you might also try applying a moisturizing cream. Valacyclovir (Valtrex): available as a tabletĮxperts strongly suggest taking or using these medications as early as you can to speed up the healing cycle.Penciclovir (Denavir): available as a cream.Famciclovir: available as an oral medication.Acyclovir (Zovirax): available in oral form and as a topical cream.Talk with your doctor to see if one of these might be a good option for you: You can also try prescription antiviral medication. Prescription optionsĪn OTC topical cream isn’t your only option. With this product, healing times may be comparable to other treatments, according to research from 2001. Many people start with this common OTC option and use it until their cold sores have healed. You may have seen tubes of docosanol (Abreva) at your local drugstore. Where to startĬonsider using an over-the-counter (OTC) antiviral ointment. When you notice that telltale tingle, go ahead and start applying a topical antiviral medication to the spot. Start treating it right away, and you may be able to reduce the time you have it. One of the most important things to remember about treating a cold sore: Don’t wait.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |