Cold sores or fever blisters, as they are sometimes called are caused by viral infection which strikes the skin and nervous system. This highly infectious disease is caused by herpes virus which can lie latent in the body till it is pushed by something to get active. Sometimes there is some mix up between them and impetigo whose usual site of growth is between the nose and upper lip. Canker sores which are ulcers however are not communicable and happen in the soft tissues inside the oral cavity, where sores do not grow.

Good hand washing when a cold sore is present will help prevent the spread of the infection. There is a drug called Acyclovir (Zovirax) which narrows down the time duration of the infection. Treatment could also involve using topical creams and ointments including antiviral therapy like acyclovir or famciclovir. If you have to manage accompanying pain, take paracetamol or take the help of witch hazel and apply on the sores. This medication of applying directly on the skin acts like a wonderful anesthetic also. To make your immune system better equipped to fight infections, start a balanced diet regimen which is rich in vitamins A, C, E, zinc and iron. It is also wise to keep away from foods which are to salty or spicy or which encourage acidity and drinks which can further provoke the sores.

To arrest the development avoid salty and spicy foods. Some of the foods where you need to have only limited quantities include chocolates, peanuts, grains, peas, seeds, oatmeal and whole-wheat rich in arginine. Your focus should be a diet high in vitamin content and saying no to tea and coffee.

Another wonderful home remedy for cold sores is to rub ice on the sores for a few minutes and repeating it every hour. Another way would be to take a few tea bags and place them on the sores for a few minutes and continue this every hour. A warm tea bag compress on the blisters for about half an hour could also be another option.

For effective relief put witch hazel on the sores. Take protection from sun-generated cold sores by applying sunscreen on the lips and stop it happening again.

Coconut Oil: Take 100ml of coconut oil, 2ml of disinfectant, and 3ml or carbolic acid and mix them together. Apply twice daily directly on your cold sore – some people say this formula also works on boils and mosquito bites.

Tea Tree Oil is often said to be the best home remedy for cold sores, when administered as a drink which contains tea tree oil, herbal sage, and violet. What you need to do is to mix all these with a couple of sage leaves and some ginger powder and then put the whole mixture in a cup of boiling water. If you want your cold sores to go away in a couple of days, drink this at least 2 to 3 times a day.

If nothing seems to be effective probably taking 3 acidophilus pills twice a day in the morning and evening may dry and clean it up. For people who very often suffer from sores taking 2 pills a day is recommended. Surely this list of home cold sores remedies can not be the only methods that are there, but some of the more popularly used ways are only mentioned here.