Cold sores are a common viral infection that cause small clusters of blisters around the mouth. These blisters burst and form scabs, which can last for several days. Generally speaking, a cold sore heals within two to three weeks and is caused by one of two herpes-like viruses. The two viruses are herpes simplex virus type1 and less commonly type 2 and can be passed through skin to skin contact (i.e., kissing).
Other cold sore triggers include stress, hormones, injury to the skin and immune system changes. Here are five effective remedies for cold sores:

1. Abreva cream
The first sign of an impending cold sore may be tingling or itching feeling around the lips a day or two prior to a cold sore forming. Abreva is one of the ways to prevent cold sores before they form. At the first sign of a tingle Abreva should be applied to the area. This sinks into the skin to the center of the forming cold sore and blocks the virus from attacking healthy skin cells. Used early the cold sore can be stopped within 2-3 days, before it has a chance to form blisters.

2. Lypsyl
Lypsyl does not cure cold sores so much as help manage the discomfort and limit the damage caused. Its beeswax formula helps to relieve the burning and itching sensation of a cold sore. It also helps to heal the damage caused by the cracked blisters by moisturizing the skin around the lips. Its primary purpose is to prevent or treat dry and cracked lips but it does help somewhat in treating cold sores. As it doesn’t affect the virus itself you should never use the same stick that a cold sore virus sufferer has used prior as this may spread the virus to you.

3. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil) gel
Tea tree oil gel is created from a native Australian plant and has very strong antibacterial properties. It is very effective at helping the body fight infections of the skin as well as burns, rashes or dry skin. It has been shown to be effective at treating cold sores by both keeping the sore free of bacteria and soothing the sore itself. It is mainly effective to speed up the recovery rather than preventing the formation of sores.

4. Zinc
Zinc is an element that does not occur naturally in the body but can be important as a support mechanism for the immune system. Low levels of this metal have been proven to coincide with a decline in the efficacy of the T-cells that the body uses to fight infections like cold sores. Taking supplements or eating foods with this metal in them are the only ways to get this into the body.

5. Cortisone cream
Cortisone cream is an effective balm to help soothe and heal cold sores once they have erupted. It does not, however, fight the virus itself as it has no anti-viral properties. The main purpose of this cream is to soothe rashes, insect bites, burns and skin abrasions. This makes it ideal to control the symptoms of a cold sore.