Cold sores are painful and they can bring a lot of discomfort to the sufferer. There are remedies for cold sores available on the market but only a few of them can successfully provide relief to the sufferer. If you are looking for a natural remedy for cold sores, tea tree oil is one of the essential oils capable of treating the problem which is gentle on skin but tough on cold sores. Using tea tree oil for cold sores is a safer way to treat the problem as the oil only produces fewer side effects.
Tea tree oil[i] cold sore treatment can be purchased at health food stores and drugstores. This is also available online. You will not have a hard time looking for this essential oil because it is available anywhere due to its popularity. The oil is usually packaged in a brown bottle and can be found in the health and beauty section of the store. There are different brands to choose from and if you want to make sure that you are buying pure tea tree oil, always take the time to read the label on the package.
Tea tree oil cold sores remedy should be applied directly to the affected area with a cotton swab. You will feel a tingling and itching sensation upon first application. The oil can be diluted or used at full-strength. If you have sensitive skin, it is best to use diluted tea tree oil. The ratio should be one is to one. One part water, one part tea tree oil. The oil has a strong scent similar with eucalyptus.
Tea tree oil should be applied several times a day to the affected area. Repeating the process will allow new skin to grow and reduce the severity of a cold sore. It will take two weeks for a cold sore to completely heal and using the oil regularly is required to speed up the healing process. The crusty material should be removed during the ulcerating stage of the cold sore. This can be done by patting the area with a damp washcloth. After removing the healed layer, reapply tea tree oil for the area to dry quickly.
It is also important to keep your skin moist while still treating a cold sore. You can use lip balm to prevent dryness. There are also lip balms on the market that contain tea tree oil which are capable of preventing outbreak. Aside from using tea tree oil for cold sores you also need to take vitamin C, lysine tablets and get enough sleep to prevent cold sore episodes.
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