Cold sore (also called fever blister), pimple, canker sore, what is the difference between them? While a canker sore appear inside the mouth, a cold sore (oral herpes simplex type 1) appear around the lips. As opposed to a common pimple, the affected area is itchy and red and then turns into a painful blister and a crust. Find out why fever blisters hurt and what you can you do to get rid of them naturally.
Why do fever blisters hurt?
Fever blisters appear around the lips after being exposed to a virus, the herpes simplex virus 1. They are contagious and hurt at different levels: physical, emotional, and psychological pain.
Why do cold sores hurt so much at the physical level? Because it is like an open wound. When tender nerve endings are exposed, it causes pain and infection. It is the “blistering stage” that hurts the most.
Because a cold sore usually appear around the lips, hiding it is an endless struggle. Most people feel lots of discomfort and have trouble to get rid of it.
How Long Does a Herpes Outbreak Last?
What can you do to soothe and get rid of fever blisters?
The first step is to avoid squeezing the blister and to put ice to ease the pain. There are some home remedies for fever blisters that can help when a fever blister starts to hurt.
Comfrey ointment helps relieve the pain, as well as lavender essential oil.
As for diet, zinc can speed the healing process. Foods rich in zinc are: lean meat, oysters, poultry, fish, whole-grain breads and cereals, and pumpkin seeds.
Foods rich in vitamin E may help with fever blisters too: peaches, tomatoes, cabbage, asparagus, avocados, whole-grain breads, broccoli, spinach, asparagus, and dried prunes.
Aloe vera gel, calendula cream or tea tree oil are often used to fight the infection.
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Which remedies can be used as prevention?
It is important to follow a proper diet, that is to say a diet rich in L-Lysine and low in L-Arginine. Eat fish (especially halibut), shrimp, lima beans, poultry, and mung beans sprouts, and avoid nuts, sesame, lentils, peas, sunflower seeds, oats, corn, barley, buckwheat, chocolate, and coconut.
Strengthening your immune system is also a priority. Focus on foods rich in vitamin A (yellow orange fruits and vegetables and dark leafy vegetables) and in vitamin C (berries, acerola, cantaloupes, kiwis, papayas, grapefruit, mangoes, raspberries, tomatoes, strawberries, and pineapples).
Taking supplements and probiotics may also help to get rid of cold sores. As for herbal remedies, echinacea, goldenseal, and lemon balm help minimize outbreaks as they target the immune system.
Do most people get cold sores?
- Disclaimer
Article by
J. Beck
DISCLAIMER
The information provided on Optiderma.com is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified practitioner.
If you are allergic to the foods, herbs, essential oils, any remedies listed here, you must of course avoid them. For example, consuming food that you’re sensitive to will only cause more (not reduce!) inflammation.
Please consult a practitioner (such as Naturopath, Homeopath, Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Dermatologist, ...) to follow the most appropriate treatment to heal your skin. All legal mentions »
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