Sorting out the medicine from the myth
When you have a cold sore, you want to act on it quickly. You may end up trying remedies that friends, family or health websites recommend, but find that these aren’t reducing healing time.
Some remedies may only offer temporary symptom relief and others have the potential to make the cold sore worse. With lots of anecdotal evidence out there, let’s sort the medicines from the myths.
You can stop the spread and protect others from the virus by following these simple and effective tips.
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Alcohol/witch hazel
Rubbing alcohol and witch hazel are astringents. They might dry out the cold sore but are not clinically proven to heal them.
Ice
Ice may provide temporary pain relief and help reduce redness and swelling.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is known to have antiseptic properties. It might prevent bacterial infection. It’s not clinically proven for treating cold sore.
Vanilla extract
Pure vanilla extract is alcohol based. As an astringent, it may function in the same way as rubbing alcohol or witch hazel. However, it won’t inhibit multiplication of the virus or its spread. In fact, the taste may encourage licking the area of the cold sore – something you’ll want to avoid.
Salt
Salt might dry up the cold sore but it can also be painful on your skin. Addtionally, salt won’t inhibit multiplication of the virus or its spread.
Petroleum jelly
Petroleum jelly may help soften the skin and provide a protective layer against moisture loss. It will not inhibit multiplication of the virus.
Cold compress
Using a cold compress (a clean towel soaked with cold water) may help reduce the inflammation, but won’t quicken the healing process. It can be applied over the sores in an interval of 20 minutes.
Although these remedies may help with temporary symptom relief, or prevention of bacterial infection, they are not clinically proven to treat and reduce the healing time of a cold sore like Zovirax Cold Sore Cream.
If you have any questions regarding cold sore treatments and remedies, your pharmacist is the best person to offer advice.
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