Many people believe that cold sores occur as a result of poor hygiene. However, the fact is that they are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1, which remains dormant and inactive within your body until it is stimulated by triggering factors.

You might be surprised to learn that only two-thirds of people infected with the herpes simplex virus suffer from cold sores on a regular basis. The remaining people might never experience the embarrassing cold sore outbreak.

In order to heal your cold cores fast you can use any of the cold sore remedies below or, for super effective treatment, use Abreva cream - the fastest way to get rid of a cold sore. Read my Abreva cold sore cream review below.

What Triggers a Cold Sore Outbreak

People infected with the herpes simplex virus experience cold sores when the virus is triggered by certain factors. Every individual is different; as a result, the triggering factors differ for every person too. However, there are many common factors that may cause cold sore outbreaks.

Let’s have a look at a few of the significant triggers that are likely to flare up your cold sores:

• Feeling weary or exhausted
• Poor  immune system
• Fever or poor health
• Exposure to scorching sunlight
• Mental or emotional stress
• Cold weather
• Damage to the skin
• Hormonal Imbalance
• Dental Trauma

Once you have recognised the triggers that bring about your cold sores, you can use the effective remedy to minimise their breakout and accelerate the healing process. 

Stay Away From Stress: The Primary Trigger of Cold Sores

One of the major triggers of flaring up cold sores is stress. When you are stressed, you experience reduced immunity which in turn, allows the herpes virus to move on to your skin’s surface. Here, the virus attacks the nerve cells and works to multiply more infected virus particles. As a result, cells start to grow and become engorged with new virus particles.

Later on, they burst out, thus giving way to a new virus. All these cells accumulate to create the oral herpes infection. After the manifestation of herpes infection, your body starts the healing process and forms new healthy cells to replace those that were infected in the process.

The cold sore usually heals within 7 to 10 days. Moreover, the healing duration depends on your body’s immunity, physical condition and activity level. Cold sores are extremely contagious, so it is essential that infected people should practice more caution and care when treating themselves.

Your Initial Signal of an Approaching Cold Sore Attack

Your first sign of a cold sore attack is a tingling and burning sensation. As soon as you feel the tingling on the lips, start the treatment to stop the cold sore from appearing. When you treat the infection early, it prevents the herpes virus from growing the infection.

There are numerous effective cold sore remedies that you can apply to curb the attacking virus. A few of these tried and tested remedies are listed below.

Effective Home Remedies for Cold Sores

Using ways such as makeup to cover up a cold sore only exacerbate the condition, and slow the healing process. While you may not control the approaching of a cold sore, you can use therapeutic home remedies to get rid of cold sores quickly. Read on to discover the magic of these simple, yet potent home remedies for cold sores. Here is wow to get rid of a cold sore on a lip.

1. Calm Down Your Cold Sore with Ice

Ice works by minimising the inflammation, decreasing the redness and reducing the pain.

How to use this remedy? Press an ice cube or ice pack on the cold sore for some time. You may consider wrapping the ice cubes in a towel to make it more comfortable. Do not leave the ice for a long time on the infected area. Take a break of a few seconds, and then start again. You can use this remedy for about 10 minutes. Repeat the process after every one to two hours.

Note: It is worth noting that you should ice only when your cold sore is starting to appear. If it has already grown, do not use ice as it can slow down the healing process by reducing the blood flow to the blister.

2. Soothe the Infection with Goodness of Aloe Vera 

Aloe vera gel is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, minerals and enzymes that work in combination to cure various skin ailments such as acne, cold sore and cuts. Aloe vera can reduce the pain of a cold sore and destroy the bacteria working to exacerbate the condition. Aloe gel also helps to increase the healing process.

How to use this remedy? You just need to apply approximately half a teaspoon of aloe vera gel on your cold sore infection with a cotton swab. Let it sit overnight. Even though you can apply ready made aloe gels from the market, the best is the one that you obtain from the plant. Pluck off a flesh leaf, scoop out some gel and apply it directly onto your cold sore.

3. The Therapeutic Effect of Witch Hazel on Cold Sores

Is witch hazel good for cold sores? Witch hazel has effective antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also known as a healing natural astringent. It cools down the infection and reduces the swelling and pain.

How to use this remedy? Take a clean cotton ball and soak it with witch hazel solution. Apply it gently on the cold sore and let it dry. Use this treatment at least twice a day for faster relief. Witch hazel for cold sores is a very popular remedy.

Note: Witch hazel may irritate sensitive skin.  If you have a sensitive skin, you may need to do a patch test on your elbow before trying this remedy.

4. Cool Your Inflammation with Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil contains antiviral constituents that make it an effective remedy against cold sores. The success of peppermint oil for cold sores has been demonstrated by a 2013 study where the researchers have found that peppermint oil exhibits effective antiviral activity against the herpes simplex virus.

How to use this remedy? It is easy to use peppermint oil to take care of your cold sores. Take a cotton swab, dip it in peppermint oil and apply it on your cold sore. Use this remedy twice a day for prompt relief.

5. Fight the Viral Infection with Hydrogen Peroxide

The antiseptic and antiviral properties of hydrogen peroxide make it a healing remedy against cold sores. It can disinfect and dry the cold sores.

How to use this remedy? Take 3 % of hydrogen peroxide in a small container. Dip a cotton ball in a solution of hydrogen peroxide, and place it gently over the cold sore for at least five minutes. Rinse your face with fresh water. Use this remedy a few times a day to dry up the lesion.

Note: Be careful not to ingest the hydrogen peroxide while using on the cold sore.

6. Make Your Cold Sore Disappear with Oregano Oil

Oregano oil is a potent remedy for cold sore because of its valuable antimicrobial properties. It helps to lessen swelling, reduce inflammation and encourage faster healing by destroying the infection. Researchers have even proven the efficacy of oregano oil through a study conducted in 1996. If you decide to try essential oils as a cold sore treatment always use high quality essential oil brands as it is important to use safe and pure oils on your skin.

How to use this remedy? Apply the diluted oregano oil on the infected site with the cotton ball. In order to prevent the recurrence of the infection, it is suggested that you continue using the remedy for a few days after the treatment of a cold sore.

7. Kill the Herpes Virus with Garlic

Garlic is well-known among health enthusiasts for its healing, antiseptic and antiviral properties.

How to use this remedy? Take one garlic clove, peel it and make a paste with it. Apply it on the cold sore for 20 minutes. In order to heal your cold sore early, repeat the treatment three to five times a day.

Note: If you prefer, you can take raw garlic on an empty stomach every day for fast results.

8. Relieve the Symptoms with Licorice Root 

Licorice root contains the key ingredient, Glycyrrhizic acid, which demonstrates strong anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to provide relief from uneasy symptoms and impede the formation of the virus.

How to use this remedy? Add two tablespoons of licorice powder in half a teaspoon on water. You can also prepare the mixture by adding the licorice powder in two teaspoons of petroleum jelly.

Petroleum jelly is known for its soothing and healing properties, and thus works to enhance the healing process. Apply this mixture on the cold sore and cover it completely. Let it stay on the cold sore overnight or several hours.

9. Boost Your Immunity Potency with Echinacea Tea

According to researchers, Echinacea tea works to eradicate the symptoms of cold sores by strengthening your body’s immunity.

How to use this remedy? Take one teabag of Echinacea and steep it in a cup of boiled water for about 10 minutes. When ready, relax on your couch and take small sips. You may drink this tea once a day until your cold sore disappears completely.

Note: If preparing Echinacea tea takes a lot of your time, you can consider taking a supplement four times a day to enhance your immune system. Echinacea supplements are easily available in online stores or at your nearby health store.

Caution: Individuals with health diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune diseases, tuberculosis or any long-term health disease should consult their physician before starting on Echinacea supplement.

10. Curb Your Cold Sore with Honey

The antimicrobial properties of honey make it a restorative remedy for treating cold sore infections. Application of honey not only heals the infected area, but it also calms the irritated and inflamed skin. Use raw manuka honey as it has very strong antibacterial and antiviral properties.

How to use this remedy? You need half a teaspoon of raw manuka honey. Apply it evenly on the cold sore, and leave it for several minutes. Rinse with clean water. You may need to use this remedy twice a day for best results.

Abreva Cold Sore Treatment Review: The Quick and Best Solution to Get Rid of Cold Sores Fast

How to get rid of a cold sore overnight? Even though there are many home remedies to get rid of cold sores effectively, nothing works as quickly as the very inexpensive Abreva Docosanol 10% Cream from Amazon.

Experts understand how embarrassing and discomforting a cold sore can be; therefore, they have come up with this unique formula to fight the symptoms of cold sores and hasten the healing process. Abreva cold sore medicine is very effective and is the fastest way to get rid of a cold sore. It's an Amazon's Choice product and has 4.5-star average reviews. Check out the Abreva reviews from many happy users here. 

​Does Abreva Really Work?

Home remedies for cold sores do work, but they are time-consuming and slow. Besides, most of the time, people are unable to get hold of the real ingredient that really works. Moreover, the busy and hectic lifestyle of many people prompts them to find something that works rapidly and fits in their daily routine easily.

This is why Abreva cream is the right choice for many with the cold sore virus. This is the best way to get rid of cold sores fat. The video and chart below show how it compares with other popular cold sore treatment medications.

How Does Abreva Work? What's so Unique About Abreva Cream?

• The best thing about Amazon's Abreva cream is that it is FDA approved and thus, safe to use.
• It is an effective healing product that curtails the duration of discomforting symptoms of cold sores such as pain, burning, itching and tingling.
• It works by penetrating deep into the skin towards the origin of the spreading virus. It hinders the virus, repairs the cells and protects the healthy cells.
• How fast does Abreva work? It works magically when used at the first sign of a tingling sensation. It can help treat your cold sore in just two and a half days.

Does Abreva Work After the Blister Appears?

For best results, you should learn what triggers your cold sore and how to recognise the signs – a tingle, itch or redness - so you can start to treat your cold sore as soon as you feel it. Use Abreva cream at the first sign of a cold sore and continue to use it five times a day for up to 10 days.

How Fast Does Abreva Start Working?

You could knock out your cold sore in 2½ days when you start using Abreva cream at the first sign of a cold sore.

Once your cold sore has formed and ulcer appeared Abreva cream may not be very effective in shortening the time your cold sore disappears. Therefore it is recommended that you keep Abreva cold sore treatment cream at home, so that you can use it at the first sign of a cold sore and get it eliminated quickly. See the video below.

How to Use Abreva Cream?

It is a breeze to use Abreva cream for cold sores. Just apply the cream gently on the site of the infection. Always remember to wash your hands thoroughly before and after using the cream on the cold sore. Check out the supper effective Abreva cream here.

Here is how to use Abreva. You may use your fingertip or a q-tip to apply Abreva cream. 

You should apply Abreva cream five times a day (approx. every 3-4 hours) during the day, for up to 10 days. For best results, apply Abreva cream after you have washed your face.  Use an ample amount to completely cover your cold sore and the area around it. 

Can you put too much Abreva on a cold sore? Be sure to apply enough to completely cover your cold sore and follow the directions on the package but there is no need to apply the cream more often then directed but it's a good idea to cover the cold sore and the area around it properly. Applying the Abreva cream both on and around the sore is good as it will ensure both the obvious cold sore and areas still developing are adequately treated. 

One 2.0-gram tube of Abreva cream will last the average cold sore sufferer through 2-3 episodes. Which is a year’s supply for the average sufferer. Click here to buy Abreva cream on Amazon.

So for best results, use an ample amount to completely cover your cold sore and the area around your cold sore. Per Abreva directions, rub in the cream gently, but completely.

Don’t Panic! There Are Ways to Fight Cold Sores

If you are susceptible to get cold sores, you can get an outbreak two to three times a year or not at all. This is because the herpes simplex virus remains inactive for a long period of time.

If you contract cold sores only a few times, you may manage the symptoms by using simple natural remedies for cold sores and non-prescription treatments like the very effective Abreva cream.

However, if you contract cold sores several times a year with uneasy symptoms including fever, skin breaks, or itchy eyes, you should consult your physician for detailed examination. These symptoms may indicate the possibility of underlying health conditions.