Cold sore conditions usually develop on the cheeks, chin and even on the nose. Aside from being unsightly, the blisters or the sores can be painful and cause fever as well. Cold sores are highly contagious, but these usually lie dormant inside the body with occasional outbreaks. The most unfortunate thing about this condition is that the virus cannot be cured although the symptoms of it can be alleviated. However, you should know that you can easily find home remedies that can help you deal with the symptoms of cold sores on lips.
Using Tea Tree Oil for Cold Sores
As mentioned, the main culprit for cold sores, which is the herpes simplex virus, cannot be eliminated from the body and once it has infected an individual, outbreaks may recur in the future. The sores may appear as small blisters and transform to crusted sores or lesions after several days. These sores or lesions may stay on the affected area for a couple of weeks before it starts to disappear. As no cure is available, the affected individual is left with no other choice but try home remedies and medications for the condition.
It was observed that there are very few remedies effective for the condition. Among these is tea tree oil. Tea tree is an herbal plant from which an essential oil can be obtained from. This essential oil contains natural antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. Although no conclusive evidences are available to prove that tea tree oil can really be helpful against the condition, some affected individuals benefited from it, as it can reduce the duration of the outbreak. Other individuals also believe that tea tree oil extracts can help prevent future outbreaks of the condition.
To start using tea tree oil extracts as natural remedies for cold sores, you can try finding one from your local pharmacy or beauty store. One important thing to take note of is that this type of essential oil can only be used externally and cannot be consumed internally, as it may contain ingredients that can be toxic for both humans and animals. To be able to treat cold sores with tea tree oil, one can make use of a cotton swab soaked in it and applied on the sores at least twice daily. Tea tree oil is helpful in speeding up the healing process of the condition and in preventing the infection from spreading.
To use tea tree oil to prevent cold sores, you can apply the oil on the affected area once you are experiencing the initial symptoms of the condition, such as the burning or the tingling sensation. Some people use it in diluted forms while some opt for the undiluted form of the oil. This is because the undiluted form can sometimes cause irritations and rashes to those with sensitive skin. In case you are worried that it may cause you allergies, you can opt for a patch test before applying it on the affected area. When diluting tea tree oil, make sure to combine it with equal amounts of water.
The application of this essential oil should be used continuously or until the sores are healed. Whenever you use tea tree oil to the sores, make sure to use a clean damp cloth to get rid of the crusts and pat it dry after application. If this is the first time that you will be using tea tree oil for cold sores, you can consult a pharmacist on how you can dilute the oil or seek your physician’s advice with regards to the use of tea tree oil as treatment and preventive measure for cold sore problems. For severe outbreak, your physician can also provide you information on how you can manage it properly, just like in any other conditions such as the symptoms of chronic heartburn.