Oral herpes (cold sore) is a painful blister that usually occurs around the mouth. The cause of oral herpes is the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). You may have pain around your mouth, fever, swollen glands, sore throat, and blisters (also known as fever blisters). Oral herpes usually goes away on its own in 1 or 2 weeks. However, you can use several methods to speed up the healing.
Step
Method 1 of 6: Using Over-the-counter Medicines
Step 1. Use an ointment without a doctor's prescription
You can speed healing by covering your oral herpes so you don't get exposed to the sun or other irritants. Ointments such as Carmex and Orajel are designed to protect oral herpes and cure it.
If you want the best results, you should apply the ointment as often as possible (about 5 times a day) to prevent the wound and the surrounding skin from drying out
Step 2. Use regular petrolatum (petroleum jelly)
If applied to the oral herpes, petrolatum will act as a barrier so that the oral herpes will not be exposed to the elements from the outside. For best results, apply petrolatum as often as possible so that the wound and surrounding skin don't dry out.
Step 3. Apply a product that can dry out herpes
Use a product that can dry out your herpes, such as alcohol (70%) or Blistex, to get rid of your herpes faster. How to use rubbing alcohol: pour a small amount of alcohol on a cotton swab, then apply to oral herpes.
Step 4. Use sunscreen
The sun's rays can be taxing on the skin, and are damaging in people who are predisposed to oral herpes. Use sunscreen to protect your skin at any time of the year, not just when the weather is hot. Use lipstick or lip balm that contains sunscreen so that your lips will also be protected.
Lip balm containing zinc oxide can also be used to protect against skin herpes
Step 5. Try using a styptic pencil
These pencils are made of mineral astringents that can stop bleeding from cuts (eg abrasions when shaving). An alum pencil can also reduce the appearance of oral herpes and the redness around it. Wet the tip of the pencil and gently place it on the oral herpes. Do this several times a day when oral herpes appears.
Step 6. Use eye drops
You can also use an eye medication designed to relieve red eye (such as Visine) to reduce the redness of oral herpes. Give about 1 to 2 drops of this medicine to the oral herpes.
Method 2 of 6: Go to the Doctor
Step 1. Find out your history of oral herpes
Go to the doctor and get a more effective treatment. If you have frequent oral herpes, go to the doctor for appropriate treatment. Your doctor may ask you some questions to make a diagnosis of your condition, for example:
- When was the first time you had oral herpes at this point?
- How painful is your oral herpes?
- When did you first experience oral herpes?
- How often do you get oral herpes?
Step 2. List any other medicines you are taking
Some medications are thought to cause oral herpes. Ask if the medications you are taking contributed to the oral herpes you currently have. Some medications that contribute to oral herpes include:
- Depo-Provera KB Injections
- Drugs containing steroids
- Nasal sprays such as Fluticasone or Nasonex
- Flu shot or vaccine (this is rare)
- Drugs that weaken the immune system
Step 3. Ask the doctor to prescribe an antiviral cream
Prescription antiviral creams containing penciclovir and acyclovir are very effective at treating oral herpes. This kim should be applied directly to the oral herpes.
- Use the cream as soon as possible if oral herpes appears. If treated early, this cream can prevent oral herpes from forming blisters.
- This cream can also be applied to open wounds. The wound will disappear within 1 or 2 days after treatment.
Step 4. Get a prescription for oral medication
Acyclovir (Zovirax) or valacyclovir (Valtrex) is an antiviral drug in pill form. You can use it to get rid of oral herpes faster and prevent them from appearing in the future. This medicine can significantly reduce the symptoms of oral herpes if taken within the first 1 or 2 days after oral herpes or symptoms appear.
Step 5. Get a cortisone shot
This is done by injecting steroids at the site of oral herpes. Doing so will swell the mouth sores, but will disappear within a few hours. If you want your oral herpes to go away quickly, get a diluted cortisone shot at your doctor's office.
The procedure can be painful because cortisone is injected directly into the oral herpes. The cost may not be cheap either. Contact your health insurance to find out if this procedure is covered by them
Method 3 of 6: Using Natural Solutions
Step 1. Use ice
Place an ice cube on the oral herpes for a few minutes at a time 2 or 3 times a day. Ice will relieve the pain of herpes and reduce inflammation.
Step 2. Use tea tree oil
Oral herpes will disappear within 1 or 2 days by applying 1 or 2 drops of tea tree oil. Apply this oil as you would an ointment, several times a day. You can also combine it with petrolatum to make the oil stick longer.
Step 3. Try using vanilla extract
Apply real (not artificial) vanilla extract every day to help get rid of oral herpes. Drop a small amount of vanilla extract on a cotton swab and apply it to the mouth sores for about 1 minute. Do this 4 times a day.
Step 4. Attach the tea bag to the oral herpes
The antioxidants and nutrients in green tea can relieve oral herpes and speed up healing. Soak a green tea bag in hot water for a few minutes, then let it cool. Place the tea bag directly on the herpes mouth. Let the tea bag stay for about 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 5. Take lysine tablets
The amino acid in lysine can be used to speed up the healing of oral herpes. You can buy lysine at drugstores or pharmacies for around Rp. 70 thousand to Rp. 100 thousand for 100 tablets. Take 1-3 grams of lysine per day.
- You can also get lysine from certain foods, such as fish, eggs, chicken, and potatoes.
- Ask your doctor to check if you have high cholesterol or heart disease. Taking lysine can increase triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
Step 6. Try using other natural remedies
There are various natural remedies that you can try. Do an internet search with the keyword "natural remedies for oral herpes" to find other natural remedies, such as aloe vera, echinacea, licorice, mint, and so on.
Method 4 of 6: Reducing Discomfort
Step 1. Use a cold or warm compress
Oral herpes can sometimes be very painful, even causing headaches and other associated pain. Hold a bottle of hot water or ice wrapped in a cloth on your lips for about 20 minutes. Cold or warm temperatures can relieve pain.
Step 2. Apply anesthetic in the form of a topical
Ointments and creams containing benzocaine or lidocaine can provide temporary pain relief. This product is usually sold in the form of an anti-itch cream that you can get at drugstores.
Step 3. Take pain medication
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can reduce pain in the mouth area and relieve associated headaches. Follow the directions given on the package to find out the correct dosage.
Method 5 of 6: Stopping the Spread of Oral Herpes
Step 1. Wash your hands frequently
Touching herpes with dirty hands can result in a bacterial infection, and can spread oral herpes to other areas of the body. Wash your hands frequently throughout the day using warm, soapy water.
Step 2. Avoid skin-to-skin contact
When you are suffering from oral herpes, you can transmit and spread the virus easily to other people. Avoid kissing or making oral herpes touch other people's skin.
Similarly, don't have oral sex when you have oral herpes. This can put you at risk of transmitting the virus and exposing others to genital herpes
Step 3. Avoid sharing certain objects
Do not share glasses, straws, towels, razors, toothbrushes, and other objects that have been in contact with people with oral herpes. If you are suffering from oral herpes, do not share these items with others.
Throw away your toothbrush when you have oral herpes. The herpes virus will continue to attack if you always use the same toothbrush
Method 6 of 6: Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Avoid foods that can trigger oral herpes
Many people are sensitive to certain foods and make oral herpes appear if eaten in excess. If you are prone to oral herpes, stop or limit your consumption of some of these foods:
- Acidic foods, such as oranges and tomatoes. Avoid raw tomatoes and foods made from tomato sauce, and stop drinking tomato juice, orange juice, and grapefruit juice.
- Salty foods, such as canned soups, fried foods, and snacks. Consuming too much salt can trigger oral herpes.
Step 2. Eat foods that contain lots of nutrients
Consume lots of vitamins and nutrients that can be obtained from fruits and vegetables. Eat a balanced diet, and make sure you eat lots of green vegetables and other high-nutrient foods. Take a multivitamin if you can't get enough nutrients from food.
Step 3. Reduce stress
An attack of oral herpes often occurs when a person is under stress. Oral herpes can appear on vacation, or when you are under stress at work. Reduce the chances of developing herpes by taking care of yourself when you are going through a stressful time.
Step 4. Get plenty of sleep
Sleeping in sufficient quantities every night allows the body to rest properly. Sleep for at least 7 to 8 hours a night. If you're having trouble falling asleep, listen to relaxing music or meditate for about 10 minutes before bed to let your body know that it's time to sleep.
Step 5. Keep yourself hydrated
Drink lots of water every day to keep the body hydrated. In addition to maintaining a healthy body, this can also ward off diseases that trigger oral herpes.
Step 6. Keep your immune system strong
Oral herpes often appears when the immune system is compromised. Maybe you will experience it when you have a cold or when your body is not feeling well for other reasons. Keep your immune system awake by getting plenty of sleep, drinking lots of water, and eating foods that are high in vitamins and other nutrients.
