Can you put peroxide on cold sore?

Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are a common viral infection that forms around the mouth area. As winter sets in and those frigid temperatures do their worst to your delicate skin, the dreaded cold sore can make an appearance at any moment.

But instead of letting it ruin your day with its unsightly presence, you might wonder if there’s anything you can put on it to help reduce the pain and speed up the healing process – like peroxide. So let’s get one question out of the way first:

Is putting hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on a cold sore a good idea?

The Pros and Cons of Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Wait just one gargle-inducing minute! While hydrogen peroxide has been known for its antibacterial properties since our grandma used it to disinfect scraped knees all those years ago, this doesn’t necessarily mean that applying it directly onto those pesky blemishes is actually going to help rid yourself of them.

When considering whether or not hydrogen peroxide is effective against cold sores (or oral herpes simplex virus), we need to weigh out some pros and cons:

PROS:

  • Kills bacteria
  • Shortens healing time
  • Only temporary stinging sensation

CONS:

  • Causes dryness
  • May cause chemical burns
  • Not clinically proven

As much as we love taking risks in life, inflicting further damage onto ourselves during an already uncomfortable experience requires cautious consideration.

So what should be done about these obnoxious inconvenient pests?

Home Remedies for Cold Sores

Thankfully there are alternatives options that could potentially tackle crusty lips without risking facial injury by using household antiseptic solutions. Some rumored remedies include:

  1. Tea Tree Oil
    The extract from tea tree oil possesses natural antibacterial agents which contribute to reducing the occurrence of cold sores

  2. Aloe Vera
    Aloe vera contains immunomodulatory properties which enable faster healing and can help reduce pain associated with blisters

  3. Ice Packs
    Placing an ice pack on the cold sore for a few minutes each time could provide relief from itching, burning or swelling sensations caused by fever blisters.

How to Avoid Getting Cold Sores in the First Place

An option that trumps all remedies –preventative measures. Here are ways to ensure your chances of developing these painful villains is diminished significantly:

  • Keep your hands clean
  • Use lip balm
  • Stay away from potential contagions.

Maybe whilst embarking on any of these tips we come across a new niche ‘Tips for social distancing Kissing

When Should You Visit A Doctor?

If you notice symptoms such as pus oozing out along with fluids form the blister it may be considered severe; inevitably having little patience anymore (ruined date nights will do this), it might be worth visiting they physicians office soon after.

#Conclusion

The beauty industry thrives off creating products which it claims eliminates our problems when really going back full circle through history, at-home innovative treatments have been readily available since ancient civilizations –enter tea tree oil & honey!

So why should riddled pores granted access into our lives receive anything less than royal updates? Ultimately understanding how and what triggers them adds steps closer towards allowing us confidently open up more conversations removing forever notorious taboo cloud hovering over its existence-consequently taking us one step closer towards becoming “real humans”.

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