Causes of Cold Sore On The Nose & Its Treatment, Home Remedies

The tiny painful blister on your nose can be a cold sore. It is important to know about cold sore on the nose, causes, symptoms, treatment and home remedies to be able to deal with the condition effectively.

Cold sores normally occur in individuals who are infected with the Herpes Simplex-1 Virus. This infection does not have any cure but remains dormant in the body. An infected individual will first have an itching or tingling sensation on the lip or at the edge of the nose. This gradually spreads to the oral and nasal cavities. With about 24 hours, a spot appears in the itchy areas and erupts. This causes a fluid filled blister to form in the area. During the final stages, these cold sores burst to ooze a yellowish fluid and a crust forms over the infected area. The first outbreak of cold sore is usually the most painful one. While a cold sore can occur anywhere in the body it is more commonly seen on the nose.

Read on to know all about cold sore on nose, causes, symptoms, treatment, home remedies.

Some of the common causes of Cold Sores on the nose are:

People get Cold Sores on the Nose when having a viral infection, flu, cold, or fever. People with compromised immune system from medical conditions like HIV also get frequent Cold Sores. People who are undergoing treatment for some form of cancer with chemotherapy also can get Cold Sores on the Nose. Individuals affected with severe burn injuries also have a compromised immune system and tend to get frequent Cold Sores.

• Certain hormonal changes also trigger frequent cold sores. This is seen mostly in females during their menstrual periods.
• Stress also plays a role in formation of Cold Sores on the Nose. Stress affects how the mind and body functions. This results in formation blisters and sores.
• Overexposure to sun and damage to the skin also are some of the causes of Cold Sore on the Nose.

The symptoms which signal the onset of a Cold Sore on the Nose are burning or tingling sensation, development of fluid filled blisters, severe itching at the infected area with pain and redness. In severe cases, fever, muscle aches and swelling is also observed.

An active herpes Simplex Infection is extremely contagious and spreads even with direct contact with the infected person. However, many people are carriers of the virus and never experience any symptoms but such individuals have to be extremely cautious so as not to spread the infection to others.

• Frontline treatment of Cold Sore on the Nose includes using ointments and prescription medicines.
• Over-the-counter anti-itch creams and ointments are also equally effective to deal with the tingling and itching sensation associated with Cold Sores on the Nose.
• Gels and ointments like lidocaine or benzocaine are also effective in calming down the pain associated with the Cold Sores on the Nose.
• Anti-viral medications like acyclovir and pain medications like ibuprofen are also used for treating Cold Sore on the Nose.

There are also certain Home Remedies to treat Cold Sores on the Nose. These remedies include:

One of the most effective home remedies for cold sore on the nose is to increase fluid intake. Increased intake of fluids hastens the healing process and gets rid of the cold sore on the nose quickly. It also helps to flush out toxins and keeps the body well hydrated. It also aids in keeping the mucous membrane in the nasal cavity moist, especially when an individual has concomitant running nose. However, intake of certain liquids like hot beverages, acidic fruits juices like oranges, pineapple and grapefruit should be avoided as they aggravate the symptoms of Cold Sore on the Nose.

Foods containing essential nutrients work as effective home remedies for Cold Sore on the Nose. These foods contain antioxidants that help ward off infections. For faster healing from cold, flu and Cold Sore on the Nose, vitamin C supplement is best as it boosts immunity. Foods like broccoli, bell peppers, and strawberries boost vitamin C level in the body. However, intake of citrus and acidic foods should be avoided. People with Cold Sore on the Nose should also take vitamins A and D supplements as play a vital role in regenerating skin cells. There are several ointments available which contain high level of both vitamin A and D that can be applied 2-3 times a day on the sore to moisturize the affected area, treat the infection, prevent its spread, and accelerate healing.

One of the most effective home remedies for Cold Sore on the Nose is saline nasal rinse. For people suffering from both nasal congestion and cold sores it becomes difficult to constantly blow the nose. To get rid of this, they can use a nasal rinse for instant relief. A nasal rinse keeps the mucous membranes moist in the nasal cavity, loosen the accumulated mucus, removes bacteria from the nose treat cold sores with its antiseptic properties. A saline solution can be easily made with clean water and salt for rinsing.

Witch Hazel is perhaps the best home remedy for Cold Sore on the Nose. Witch Hazel is a powerful antiseptic agent which can be applied directly on the cold sore. It dries up the sore and reduces the amount of liquid within the sore. A Q-tip is good enough to apply Witch Hazel on the Cold Sore.

This is also an effective Home remedy for Cold Sores on Nose. Taking Lysine tablets on a regular basis prevents formation of Cold Cores on Nose and even decreases the severity of the symptoms.

Ginger is yet another effective home remedy for Cold Sore on Nose. People suffering from cold sores can prepare a paste made of ground ginger or finely grated ginger root and a couple of drops of lukewarm water. This paste can be applied directly on the sore with a Q-tip. Leave the paste on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with clean water. Ginger is a powerful antiseptic which dries up the sores, prevents the spread of infection, and accelerates the healing process.

Aloe vera is used to treat various skin problems like discoloration, inflammation and sunburns. It is one of the best home remedies for Cold Sore on Nose. By applying some Aloe Vera Gel on the cold sore, you can speed up the healing of infected skin and calm down the cold sore symptoms. Cool Aloe Vera Gel also soothes the skin and decreases the swelling around the affected area.

Cold Sores on Nose can also be caused due to harmful bacteria. Adding probiotics to the diet prevents formation of cold sores. Natural unsweetened yogurt, cheese and cottage cheese are some probiotic foods. Probiotic supplements are also available in the market which can be consumed regularly with equally great benefit.

Also Read:

• Cold Sores or Oral Herpes: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
• Cold Sore: Signs, Treatment, How Long Does Cold Sore Last?
• What Triggers Cold Sore & When Does A Cold Sore Stop Being Contagious?
• What are the 5 Stages of Cold Sores & How to Get Rid of It?