Cold on the lip: how to quickly cure it at home

The herpes virus is present in the body of 90% of the population of planet Earth, and especially, it “loves” those who once had chickenpox. When the immune system performs its functions properly, herpes does not manifest itself in any way.

But if a person becomes a victim of stress or a cold, then a gap is formed in the immune system, which is fraught with all sorts of troubles. And a cold on the lip is just one of them. The process of its appearance is accompanied by itching and burning, and then liquid-filled bubbles form, which are not so harmless.

Why colds appear on the lips: causes and factors

Activation of the herpes virus occurs when immunity decreases, but this process is preceded by its entry into the body. And this most often happens in early childhood.

The virus is transmitted to the baby from parents or from other adults, for which just one contact with the skin or mucous membrane of a sick person is enough. When it gets on the child’s mucous membrane, the virus infects the nerve endings, along which it quietly and imperceptibly reaches the trigeminal nerve, or rather, the greater trigeminal ganglion, where it remains forever, hiding for the time being.

When favorable conditions arise, it comes out, and a cold can appear not only on the lips, but also on the nose, under the eye, on the forehead or any other area of the skin of the face and more.

Provoking factors

These primarily include weakened immunity. For some people, getting their feet wet or walking in the cold is enough for the virus to become active.

Medical scientists are confident that stress, which women of childbearing age know firsthand, can cause herpes to manifest itself externally. Menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth cause stress unique to the female body.

That is, hormonal changes can cause colds on the lips in women, although smoking and alcohol abuse also do not have the best effect on the immune system.

Main reasons

Colds (acute respiratory infections, flu, etc.).
Long-term antibiotic treatment, chemotherapy, etc.
Diseases of the endocrine system, in particular diabetes.
Previous operations (including organ transplantation), as well as injuries.
Intoxication of the body (alcohol, nicotine, poor quality food, harmful industrial emissions).
Physical, emotional and mental overload.
Overheating of the body or hypothermia.
Hormonal disbalance.
Poor nutrition.

This list is supplemented, depending on individual characteristics, because the body can react with a decrease in immunity to other factors.

Symptoms and course of the disease

Before a cold appears on the lips, specific symptoms appear, indicating imminent trouble. The disease itself follows the traditional scenario.

Initially, itching and burning appear in the lip area.
After some time, a red spot forms.
The process of formation of a blister filled with liquid is accompanied by swelling and pain.
After about 5 days, the swelling subsides slightly, the liquid disappears from the blister and a scab forms on its surface.
After a week, there is usually no trace left of the cold.

How to quickly cure a cold on the lips at home

Herpes requires treatment, and if it is neglected, the virus can spread throughout the body and cause other infectious diseases. The liquid that fills the vial is highly contagious. It is noteworthy that this blister cannot be squeezed out, pierced with a needle, or generally touched with hands.

When the first symptoms occur, nothing can be done, but you can only speed up the drying of the bubble and reduce discomfort, which will take three days. To do this, you should purchase powerful drugs at the pharmacy that relieve symptoms, speed up the treatment and healing process, and these include:

"Acyclovir".
"Atsigerpin".
"Valacyclovir."
"Gerpevir".
"Gerpferon".
"Dokosanol".
"Zovirax".
"Penciclovir."
"Supraviran".
"Ciclovir".

During express treatment, it is forbidden to touch the wound with your hands or use other people’s hygiene products or towels. The affected area is lubricated with an antiviral drug 5 times a day, and its use does not imply a prior trip to the doctor for a consultation.

Ointments should be used according to the schedule until a crust appears. If the patient has done everything correctly, then it will form on the third day from the start of “intensive therapy”.

The most effective medicines for colds on the lips

Effective drugs include all of the above, but none of them can completely eliminate the virus and remove it from the body.

Immunostimulants

Frequent relapses are a good reason for taking immunostimulating drugs designed to strengthen the immune system during herpes attacks. Immunostimulants should not be prescribed to yourself and taken haphazardly, as this can cause harm to health. The most common drugs include:

"Interferon". Helps improve immunity, thanks to it, the body can resist herpes and other viruses.
"Lycopid". It can even be prescribed to infants.
"Polyoxidonium". In addition to the ability to strengthen the immune system, it is endowed with the ability to remove toxins from the body.
"Derinat." This is not only a drug for strengthening the immune system, but also a “restorer” of damaged tissues that has no side effects.

Immunomodulators

If a cold periodically appears on the lower lip, this indicates that the virus is “firmly entrenched” in the body, and the fight against it must be comprehensive. To do this, you can use (with the consent of your doctor) immunomodulators of natural origin:

"Immunal"
"Imudon"
"Kagocel"
"Ribumunil"
"Bronchomunal" etc.

Ointment-like and creamy preparations

“Acyclovir” and its analogues (“Ciclovir”, “Zovirax”) are considered the most effective, but with frequent colds, the virus adapts to them, and ointments can no longer cope with it.
"Triderm" - perfectly restores mucous membranes.
“Boro Care (Soft, Plus)” is a universal cream that helps with any damage to the skin and mucous membranes of any nature (burns, cuts, frostbite, fungal infection).
“Fenistil” is prescribed for frequent relapses.
"Solcoseryl" - eliminates pain and has a healing effect.
"Viferon" - relieves burning and itching.
"Miramistin" is an excellent antiseptic.
"Levomekol" - quickly neutralizes the first symptoms.
"Viru-Merz Serol" is a gel-like drug, very effective, but not cheap.
“Oxolinic ointment” is not suitable for the treatment of recurrent herpes, but it is absolutely safe for children.

Plasters

Their use is especially appropriate in the early stages, and the patient's promptness can even prevent the appearance of blisters. This is a relatively new, but quite effective way to combat colds on the lips. You can buy patches at the pharmacy:

"Zovirax"
"Silkoplast"
"Compid".

Pills

The use of tablet drugs makes treatment especially effective, because they tend to block the virus and thereby prevent its reproduction. Tablets and their dosage are prescribed only by a doctor, and this can be: “Acyclovir (Akikhrin, AKOS, Belamed)”, “Famciclovir”, “Valacyclovir”, “Herpeblok”.

Folk remedies for colds on the lips

Take honey and apple cider vinegar in equal proportions. Apply the resulting mixture to the affected area several times a day.
Earwax is a “natural medicine” that has been used by people since ancient times.
Opened sores can be cauterized: tea tree oil, aloe, lemon or ginger juice, Valocordin or Corvalol, calendula tincture.
You can briefly apply a cut clove of garlic to the damaged area, which all viruses are afraid of.
Between the egg and the eggshell there is a thin film that can be applied to the wound, and when dry, simply moistened with saliva.
You can apply ordinary salt to the wound. The method is classified as “painful”, but quite effective.
Birch ash is an ingredient in a homemade cure for herpes, available to all rural residents. A mixture of wood ash, alcohol and honey (in equal proportions) should be applied to the bottle immediately after it bursts.
Mint toothpaste. Squeeze a small amount onto the developing blister.

Colds often appear - methods of prevention

Colds on the lips tend to appear during the off-season, and at this time, you should take care of your immune system, which is especially recommended for people suffering from recurrent herpes.