Want to heal cold sores? You will find there are only two basic ways. Either way can be used by itself. But, combining the two gives you a big edge in your effort to heal cold sores.

Yes, your body knows how to heal cold sores by itself. But it could take up to four weeks or longer. Who wants to go through that long and painful process when you can easily cure it in half the time?

We all want to heal cold sores as soon as possible. To do so, let us quickly review what causes the actual cold sore outbreak - so we can better understand the enemy.

The herpes simplex virus is the culprit. It cannot create new virus by itself. It must use a body cell. It enters that cell and forces it to create the virus. Once the cell is full to capacity, it ruptures open to release the new virus particles.

First, redness and swelling occur as the cells create new virus. Then the host cells break open, creating the open wound. We are very fortunate that this virus only creates sores on the surface, or it would pose a serious health risk.

To heal cold sores fast, you must use at least one of these two techniques.

1. HEAL COLD SORES BY TREATING THEM INTERNALLY.

Your first step, if you experience several cold sore breakouts each year, is to take a good multi-vitamin daily.

You will soon find this to be the best cold sore prevention and healing method around. A quality vitamin supplement will build up a strong immune system defense against this and other types of viruses.

It is also wise to add a lysine supplement to your vitamin program - especially during an outbreak. This amino acid can extinguish a cold sore like water puts out a fire.

Many folks use lysine capsules for convenience, but high lysine foods will help too. During a cold sore event, 2000 to 5000 milligrams of lysine per day is safe and quite effective.

The more quickly you stop the virus and send it back into hibernation, the faster you will heal cold sores.

Do you get a lot of sores? If so, studies have shown that you could be calcium deficient. Calcium is the mineral responsible for keeping your body alkaline. This translates into higher oxygen levels. No virus can function in a high oxygen and alkaline environment.

Most good vitamin supplements already contain 1000 milligrams of calcium per day. You may want to take an additional 1000 to 2000 milligrams daily on top of that.

2. EXTERNAL REMEDIES WORK WELL TO HEAL COLD SORES.

A good cold sore treatment, put directly on the sore, is still the best way to heal cold sores in a hurry. The virus is very easy to get at and treat this way.

Ointments that contain zinc, either in the form of sulfate or gluconate, work very well when applied to the sore. Watch out for other forms of zinc, such as zinc oxide, as they do not absorb readily.

Two very strong cold sore remedies are oregano and garlic oils. Both of these will stop any virus, bacteria or fungal infection, when put directly on the sore. They will greatly speed the healing process.

Once in the healing stage, the level of your health will determine how fast your body will heal cold sores. You can speed it along with the use of a warm, damp tea bag - along with the oils mentioned previously.

Keeping the cold sore clean and sterile is critical for success with any other treatment you may use. Alcohol or hydrogen peroxide should be used with a cotton ball or tissue to reduce finger contamination.

As mentioned at the top, your body is perfectly able to heal cold sores without your help. But, the cold sore treatment methods mentioned above will definitely increase your comfort and shorten the duration of your outbreak.

Truly, this will mean a shortened period of discomfort, and will get back your social life much sooner. And, quite likely, you could experience far fewer of these social interruptions in the future.

You will find using both internal and external remedies, in combination, will provide you the highest level of success when you want to aggressively heal cold sores.