Witch hazel cold sores: Cold sores are painful blisters that mostly appear near your mouth during dry, cold seasons, and when you suffer from a fever or cold. They are also known as fever blisters due to this reason. Herpes Simplex virus (type 1) is the notorious virus that causes these fluid-filled blisters that can also appear on your nose. The term “cold sore” was introduced in 1870, and it is called a “cold” sore since it can be triggered due to cold. The Herpes Simplex virus will enter your body and stay dormant until something like a cold trigger it. Witch hazel is a shrub that has yellow flowers; it is grown for its beauty and medicinal properties.
Witch hazel cold sores is an adequate remedy for the issue. In this article, I will explain to you how witch hazel will help in healing cold sores.
Witch Hazel cold sores: How does it work?
Witch hazel is a natural astringent, and it helps in shrinking the sores. Cold sores spread very fast, and the application of witch hazel will reduce this risk. It keeps the wound clean and promotes faster healing of the sores. You may feel a bit of a stinging sensation when you apply witch hazel cold sores, but it stays only for a few seconds. You get to buy good quality witch hazel at drugstores. You can use witch hazel as a natural toner for your skin to shrink visible pores.
How long does it take for a cold sore to go away?
Cold sores go away within eight to ten days of its appearance. However, this is heavily subjective since the healing process is affected by the body nature of the person, the way the cold sore is treated, and external factors like dust and dryness in the climate. Another essential thing to keep in mind is that cold sores when in their scab stage, crack very easily which will increase the time period of its presence. It can crack when you’re eating food, talking, or even laughing. To avoid cracking it is important that you keep the affected area moisturized using a doctor recommended cream or natural aloe vera gel.
Cold sores invite a lot of attention and disgust because they are red and visible. They might even ooze sometimes and are very itchy. You may find it very difficult not to touch them or scratch them, and also if you control yourself while you’re awake, you may scratch the area while you’re asleep. To prevent this, you can use a numbing gel or cream that your doctor will give. This cream will reduce the itching and burning sensation, and it will also help in the faster healing of the sores. If you do not treat cold sores with care, it will result in secondary infections and spreading on the sores.
What is the best home remedy for cold sores?
While consulting a doctor is always the best option when it comes to cold sore treatment, home remedies can be used as well. For a person who suffers from cold sores very often, home remedies will be a boon since they are useful, cheap, and doesn’t require you to use western medicine a lot. In this section, I will explain to you some of the best home remedies including witch hazel cold sores.
1. Aloe vera: Aloe vera soothes your irritated skin, and it also keeps the affected area moisturized. It’s anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties will keep burning sensation and secondary infections at bay. Try to use fresh aloe vera gel directly from the plant for this purpose since the one that you buy from stores may contain chemicals. During the scab stage, aloe vera helps to prevent cracking.
2. Coconut oil: Coconut oil will help in reducing inflammation, itching, and burning sensation since it has anti-bacterial properties. It moisturizes the affected area and prevents the scabs from cracking. It is important to keep the scabs moisturized since cracking can lead to many other problems like deeper scars, secondary infections, and longer healing period.
3. Lemon balm: Lip balms with at least one percent lemon balm is very useful in treating cold sores around or on the lips.
4. Witch hazel oil, peppermint, and mint: Witch hazel cold sores is a great remedy. Mix some witch hazel oil with some peppermint and mint oil and apply the mixture directly on the affected area. This will give you instant relief from itching and burning sensation. It will also speed up the healing process.
5. Licorice root: Licorice roots is a great cold sore treatment since it contains glycyrrhizic acid. Glycyrrhizic acid has powerful and impressive antiviral properties which will help in the faster healing of cold sores.
6. Milk: Milk is easily accessible, and it’s almost always there in our kitchen. It contains antibodies and l-lysine which helps in protecting the wound and promotes its faster healing. Apply cold milk in the affected area using a cotton ball. Repeat as needed every hour to see better results.
7. Cornstarch paste: Cornstarch paste made with equal parts of starch and water is yet another amazing cold sore treatment. It will dry out the sores in the oozing stage and help in faster healing. It will help in reaching the scab stage faster but make sure you don’t use it during the scab stage since it may lead to cracking.
8. Vitamin E oil: Vitamin E oil nourishes the skin and prevents further infections in the affected area.
9. Licorice powder and petroleum jelly: Licorice powder contains Glycyrrhizic acid which helps in curbing the spread of Herpes Simplex virus which causes cold sores. Petroleum jelly ensures easy application of the powder, and it moisturizes the affected area. Also, a layer of licorice powder and petroleum jelly seals the cold sores from the dust and bacteria in the atmosphere to promote faster healing.
10. Echinacea: One of the main reasons why people get affected by cold sores is that their immune system is weak. Echinacea is an immunity booster and will help your body fight the virus that causes cold sores.
Does ice help cold sores on the lip?
Ice cannot help in reducing the duration of the presence of cold sores, but it can make the whole thing a little less painful for you. Applying an ice pack to the affected area will reduce inflammation and create a numb feeling in the area. This will help you feel less pain and itching sensation.
How do I heal cold sores fast?
The above mentioned home remedies can be used to heal cold sores fast. Cold sore treatment can also be done under the observation of a skin doctor. He will give you topical gels and creams to numb the area and promote faster healing. In worse situations, you may be asked to consume a few tablets to deal with the pain and to speed up the healing process. No matter what you resort to, home remedies of a doctor’s treatment, a lot depends on you when it comes to speedy healing of cold sores. Witch hazel cold sores will help you only if you do not touch the affected area.
Make sure that you do not touch or pick on cold sore scabs even if it is highly tempting to do so. Try to cover your mouth with a clean cloth mask when you are traveling to protect the affected area from dust. Do not rub your face when you wash it since it may result in the peeling off of the scabs.
Conclusion: Witch hazel is a beneficial remedy in treating cold sores. You can either use it straight from the bottle or you can mix it with peppermint and mint oil. There are many effective home remedies you can try like milk, ice, and aloe vera to make things better but it is always advised to consult a doctor in case the cold sore spreads and in case you’re in too much pain.