| Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, a | | | | situations that usually lead to you developing a cold |
| common and infectious virus which is usually | | | | sore and prevent them from occurring. Also |
| contacted during childhood and hides in the nerve | | | | recognize the first signs of the onset of a cold sore |
| ganglia near where your cold sore usually appears. | | | | and apply immediate treatment. A medical practitioner |
| The virus can remain dormant for months or years | | | | can prescribe antiviral drugs that will minimize |
| without reappearing, until your body becomes | | | | symptoms and re-infections.Avoid contact with the |
| unbalanced. Your natural body defenses keep the | | | | sores; wash your hands immediately if you touch |
| virus in check until your defenses drop because you | | | | them, and don't share linens and towels with anyone |
| may feel tired, upset or stressed; you resistance is | | | | else.Naturopathic treatments of cold sores include |
| lowered, you have a fever, overexposure to the sun | | | | applications of the amino acid lysine, which is |
| or wind, or maybe you are menstruating, and | | | | particularly effective in preventing or reducing the |
| suddenly you feel that familiar tingling sensation.This is | | | | occurrence of cold sores. A salve containing lysine |
| when the virus is moving down your nerve fibers to | | | | makes an effective lip balm, as dry cracked lips seem |
| the skin surface. Now you feel the tingling, itching, | | | | to invite a cold sore. Vitamin and mineral supplements |
| perhaps burning or drying sensations, lasting a few | | | | may help the body fight the herpes virus, especially |
| hours or a few days, to be followed by redness and | | | | vitamin C, E, B vitamins and zinc. A whole foods diet |
| swelling at the cold sore site; the virus is | | | | that excludes sugar and refined foods and includes |
| reproducing.Next is the appearance of clusters of | | | | plenty of fiber and alkali-producing foods also can help |
| small blisters that are painfully sensitive, followed by | | | | prevent herpes attacks.Applying tea tree oil directly |
| all the blisters joining to become one large open, | | | | to the tingling area or cold sores with a cotton swab |
| weeping sore. This is the most painful and most | | | | can minimize an outbreak, reinfection and spreading. |
| contagious stage, although next is when it starts to | | | | Throw away the swab immediately after using.The |
| crust over and heal. At this stage it is painful because | | | | advantages of using tea tree oil are:* Decreasing pain |
| any movement tends to crack the scab.Once the | | | | and shortening the healing time of the herpes |
| scab forms, the sore is healing from the inside out. | | | | lesions.* Helping to inhibit recurrences* Assisting in |
| The virus is retreating, but there is continued itching | | | | prevention of viral activity by supporting the immune |
| and some pain and irritation. Once the scab is gone, | | | | systemUsing tea tree oil, avoiding the conditions that |
| usually redness remains for another 2 to 14 days. | | | | bring on herpes attacks, and supporting the immune |
| Contagion remains until the spot disappears | | | | system through proper diet and hygiene are the best |
| entirely.Conventional treatment of the virus includes | | | | methods for dealing with this annoying and painful |
| creams and lotions that can relieve the pain and | | | | virus.Kathryn Beach offers extensive information |
| reduce secondary infections, but there is no cure for | | | | about the incredible healing power of tea tree oil on |
| cold sores. Preventative measures seem more | | | | her website, "Learn About the Tea Tree Oil |
| successful than curative in minimizing the number and | | | | Phenomenon!", and in her "Tea Tree Alerts" available |
| severity of infections. Learn to recognize the | | | | by subscription on her website. |