Natural Cold Sore Relief: Using Salt for Faster Healing

Cold sores are not simply a cosmetic embarrassment, they can be terribly painful. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, and the onset usually happens when the immune system is weakened by a cold or fever. There are many over the counter medicines that treat the pain and swelling associated with cold sores, but the best one can be found right in your kitchen. These remedies will usually work within 3 days, but because you are using salt be prepared for the first application to be slightly painful with a bit of light stinging.

Things You'll Need

• Table salt
• Bowl
• Spoon
• Cotton swab
• Fever blister
• Toothpaste (not gel)
• Lime

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Instructions

Curing a Cold Sore With Salt

• 1

  Pour a small amount of salt into a bowl.

• 2

  Press down on the salt with the back of a spoon until you crush most of it into powder.

• 3

  Dip a sterile cotton swab into the salt, then apply to the cold sore. Leave on for 10 minutes and repeat this procedure 2 to 3 times per day.

Curing a Cold Sore With Salt and Toothpaste

• 4

  Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste into a bowl. Do not use gel toothpaste for this step, as it does not have the same drying effect that the "paste" does.

• 5

  Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the toothpaste.

• 6

  Mix the toothpaste and salt together, and apply the mixture directly to the cold sore. Leave on overnight and rinse off in the morning.

Curing a Cold Sore With Salt and Lime

• 7

  Cut a lime into wedges.

• 8

  Pour some salt onto a plate, and dip the lime wedge into the salt.

• 9

  Place the salted lime wedge on to the cold sore, and apply gentle pressure. Hold on to the sore for at least 3 to 5 minutes. Repeat twice a day.