Have you developed a cold sore and want to get rid of it quickly? Here’s some help.

Have you developed a cold sore and don’t know how to get rid of it? What’s worse, you have to prepare for an important meeting and stand up in front of people to make a presentation. Your cold sore is clearly visible next to your mouth, and you’ve been racking your brains trying to think of ways to get rid of it.

Don’t fret any more. There are easy ways to get rid of cold sores very quickly. Just try these tips:

Ice it. The quickest way to calm a cold sore is to ice it – liberally. Take a large ice cube, wrap it in thin flannel and apply it to the cold sore. Do this till the ice cube dissolves completely. This is a good remedy to try just before you go to bed and first thing in the morning – if you want your cold sore to go away fast, ice it thrice a day for best results.

Peppermint oil. Using an earbud, apply a drop or two of peppermint oil directly on the cold sore. Peppermint has anti-bacterial properties, and it will not just help in getting rid of the cold sore but it will ensure that it does not return. Peppermint oil is one of the best remedies to get rid of the virus that causes cold sores.

Garlic. Take a clove of fresh garlic and crush it with the edge of a knife. Catch the juice that flows out in a spoon, and apply it with a delicate hand directly on to the cold sore. Cover the area with a loose band aid and do not wash off even when it dries. Apply garlic juice thrice a day and your cold sore will be gone in no time.

Hydrogen peroxide bath. This is a mild acid that is used to treat underlying skin infections, remove trapped dirt in flesh wounds and even treat cold sores. Take two or three drops of hydrogen peroxide (available at any drugstore) and apply it directly to the cold sore using an earbud, every two hours. Your cold sore will be gone in a day. Or you could mix three drops of hydrogen peroxide to a pinch of baking soda and salt, and apply this paste to the cold sore. Wash off after an hour, reapply every two hours.

Aloe vera. Aloe vera has several skin care benefits, but it also has applications in medicine. Cut an aloe vera leaf lengthwise and squeeze out the gel on a spoon. Apply the gel directly to the cold sore and reapply every three hours. You will notice a tingling sensation when the gel comes in contact with skin – this is normal.

Vitamin C. Crush a Vitamin C tablet, mix it with a little water to make a thick paste, and apply it on the sore. Wash off gently once it dries.