Is Tea Tree Oil For Cold Sores An Effective Remedy?
For ages, natural oils and herbs have been effective remedies for many infections and other common illnesses affecting a person in their daily lives. Acne, hair fall, dandruff, common cold, and many other problems are often treated with home remedies rather than with a prescribed drug. The reason is to avoid any side effects and the monetary benefits. Cold sores are often treated with such treatments, and tea tree oil tops the list of popular choices. However, is tea tree oil for cold sores an adequate remedy? Continue reading to find out.
What are cold sores?
Cold sores are tiny blisters on the lips or the skin surrounding the mouth, nose, or chin. Infection with the herpes simplex virus(HSV) causes them. The condition generally occurs in infancy or early adulthood, and the illness lasts a lifetime. The medical term of the problem is herpes labialis.
Around 90% of people carry antibodies to herpes simplex in their blood, indicating they have been infected at some point. Cold sores affect one-third of infected persons, although they represent a recurrence of the previous infection and do not indicate the current condition.
Causes of cold sores
HSV infection produces cold sores in certain people, which appear after a trigger event such as a cold. This is where the name “cold sore” comes from. Cold sores can also be triggered by viruses that cause fevers, such as influenza, chest infections, physiological changes, such as the menstrual cycle, mental or physical stress, and sunshine exposure in windy circumstances.
Cold sores indicate an ongoing illness rather than a new infection, so keep that in mind. The sores tend to recur in the exact location.
Its symptoms include-
- A day or two before the cold sore forms, most patients feel localized itching and tingling.
- A cluster of tiny blisters develops.
- These blisters are often accompanied by discomfort, tenderness, and a burning feeling.
- After a few days, the blisters popped.
- A crust forms on the surface.
Effective treatment with tea tree oil
Many topical and oral prescription and over-the-counter treatments promise to relieve the pain and inflammation associated with cold sores. Still, their effectiveness is usually limited and is frequently influenced by how quickly they’re ingested or administered after the sore initially flares up.
Tea tree oil has antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects, making it a valuable component for treating cold sores’ inflammation. The oil has been demonstrated to have a strong antiviral impact on cold sore lesions in studies for skin diseases.
It has a handful of medicinal properties, making it an effective therapy for inflammations caused by viruses, such as HSV. Hence, tea tree oil for cold sores is an adequate remedy.
Conclusion
Tea tree oil’s soothing action on a cold sore can be noticed almost immediately after application. In most cases, the therapeutic benefits of this essential oil can be felt in as little as 24 hours – depending on the conditions and how quickly it was administered. The oil should be used as soon as possible – the sooner, the better.
