Cold sores is a kind of skin disorder which usually comes unnoticed. This is a skin problem caused by virus infection which is initially signed by itchiness, burning sensation, or small rashes around labial areas. In further cold sore infection, the affected skin might show some watery blisters which can grow or multiply. Severe cold sore might also cause crack on the lips or mouth corners. If those watery blisters break, the virus might spread and therefore, occur as other blisters in other location or bigger blisters in the same location. Seeing the problem those blisters are potential of, it becomes really important for us to inhibit herpes virus further infection causing more blisters, or to stop those existing blisters from getting bigger. Although there is no sure for cold sore blisters, there are surely various methods that can be done to ease the pain they cause or to stop them from multiplying.

How to stop a cold sore from getting bigger

Some wives tales about inhibiting cold sore growth or stopping it from grow at all include some medications, certain substances, interesting treatments, and various household remedies. As cold sores can deteriorate your self-esteem—not to mention the pain you suffer during its infection, any treatments which can stop it from growing will be surely worth trying.

1. Medications

Going to the drugstore to buy a tube of cold sore relief is one wise method to do. Some medications intended for fever blisters are available without prescriptions. Cold sore creams are the example. You can purchase ones containing acyclovir which is effective topical substance for inhibiting HSV-1 that causes blisters. Some other antiviral creams might also help you with the problem. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are two substances which might ease pain caused by cold sores. However, topical medication is not really effective when used after viral replication, as it has poor penetration onto the viral center site beneath the skin.

2. Household things

There are various things at home you might be able to use against herpes virus. These household things can be foods, fruits, or kitchen ingredients which function as natural antibacterial, anti-inflammation, or antiseptic. As these things are natural, the side effects they can cause can be minimized. Hence, the remedies can be applied for both children and adults. Salt, lemon juice, honey, and apple cider vinegar are among the most common things to stop cold sores from getting worse. All of those possess the property of an antibacterial which will stop the blisters from growing bigger. Aside from these things, toothpaste and ice cubes are believed to me miraculous in fighting cold sore blisters growth. Applying a tip of white toothpaste helps the blisters to soften and flatten. It also gives a shooting effect and dries out the water out of the blisters. Similarly, some people find ice cubes is their savior in combating fever blisters. Applying ice cube directly onto the blisters and leave it for approximately fifteen minutes will help numbing the wound and inhibit it from growing. You will have a more flattened area and less pain. Frosty ice cube is said to give a better effect than the clear one. After finish with ice cube treatment, you can apply some petroleum jelly onto the blisters to help soothe it and heal it faster.

3. Diet restriction

Although seems unrelated, diet choices give an ultimate effect to cold sore infection. Cutting down the supplies of certain foods and drinks will keep some existing blisters from getting bigger and therefore, heal more quickly. Nuts, candy, chocolate, grapefruit, and other citric fruits should be avoided during cold sore infection.

4. Sunscreen

Wearing a sunscreen is important to prevent dry scales which can worsen cold sores. Sunlight exposure might cause worse blisters, make them bigger, and cause them to replicate. Hence, wearing natural lip balm with Vaseline base will help covering the already-infected areas while keeping the unaffected one out of reach.

5. Load your body with vitamin E and C

Sufficient level of vitamin E and C helps your skin a lot. Vitamin E will produce collagen which is important to heal existing cold sore by inhibiting its growth, while vitamin C is a natural antioxidant which is good for preventing further or recurrent infection.