Last Updated on October 21, 2024
Is coconut oil good for cold sores? This is the question we would like to discuss in this article. The answer is yes even though it hasn’t been clinically proven yet but there are lots of suggestions that offer hope to it.
Coconut oil is rich with lots of healthful benefits and one of them is its benefit on cold sores. Cold sores, commonly known as “fever blisters”, are blisters that are tiny in size and filled with fluid. They usually come out together in clusters around or on the lips and skin. This break-out is caused by Herpes Simplex Virus.
When the breakout appears after some time, crusted scab begins to form on the blisters. Herpes simplex virus is infectious, thus these cold sores can be spread from one person to another.
Cold sores are very painful and unbearable. But miraculously, coconut oil may help in fighting the herpes simplex virus that causes these cold sores. It may also help to make the virus non-potent.
So, let’s take a look at the question: is coconut oil good for cold sores?
Table of Contents
What Is Cold Sores
Cold blisters are tiny blisters that are like lesions and also known as “fever blisters”. They form around the mouth, on the lips, chin, nostrils, and cheeks. They may also appear on the roof of the mouth or gum.
They usually emerge together in patches. These blisters are caused by the well-known herpes simplex virus. Herpes simplex is an incurable infection. It can be managed by keeping the virus inactive in the nerve cells for a while.
Cold sores can be very painful and unbearable. Following the first outbreak, the body will produce antibodies that will help fight the virus. After this, there may never be another re-occurrence of the infection.
In most cases, there is usually a re-occurrence of the cold sores. There are two strains of the herpes simplex virus and the sores of both actually look alike.
Is coconut oil good for cold sores? Let’s look into this. But before we look into this, let’s discuss the two types of viruses.
Read more About Maca Root Weight Gain Or Loss
1. Herpes Simplex Virus Type One (HVS-1)
This is the most common of the strain and it is the common type that causes cold sores. The first set of symptoms of HSV-1 infection may begin to appear between 2 to 20 days of being exposed to the virus. These symptoms are:
- Fluid-filled blisters around or in the mouth, on the tongue, chin, cheeks, or in the nostrils.
- Swelling of the lip
- Pain in the mouth or tongue
- Running temperature
- Sore throat
- Headaches
- Feeling nauseous
- Swollen lymph nodes
2. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2)
This strain is less common. HVS-2 is extremely contagious and highly transmissible during sexual intercourse. This type is the cause of genital herpes.
Although HSV-1 also causes sores on the genitals; HSV-2 can also cause cold sores on and around the mouth but the occurrence is less common. If transmission happens during oral sex, it’s possible for oral herpes sores and even cold sores to develop around the genitals.
When a cold sore breaks out, it usually takes between 1-3 weeks. Thereafter, the immune system suppresses the virus. But this doesn’t mean the infection has been cured. The virus only stays inactive in the cells.
It stays that way until it’s been reactivated by triggers and then eventually causing cold sores. These triggers are stress, cold, sun exposure, illness, and anxiety. These sores are very slow to heal and it can be an embarrassing experience.
Check Out Does Marula Oil Help Hair Growth
Coconut Oil Fever Blister
But you would be amazed to find out that coconut oil is good for cold sores also known as “fever blisters”. However, the coconut oil that is been referred to, for its super healthy benefits, is unrefined. This type of coconut oil is the type that is extracted directly from the coconut itself.
It is done by pressing its oil out. It is not processed, undiluted, and not bleached. Coconut is known to contain properties that are medicinally useful. They are healthy fatty acids and mild analgesics to help soothe the affected area.
Spectrum Essentials Organic Coconut Oil, Unrefined
Coconut oil also contains a small amount of vitamins and minerals. The coconut oil type that are been found on the shelf at the grocery store will not help in healing fever blisters.
The only type that can do the magic is the coconut oil that is unrefined and cold-pressed.
Is Coconut Oil An Antibacterial?
Coconut oil does have antibacterial properties. This oil also has anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties.
Coconut Oil For Herpes Lesions
Herpes lesions are the type of lesions that appear together in a cluster on or around the mouth or genitals. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus. These lesions, better known as blisters, can be in form of oral or cold sores.
Coconut oil cannot help to cure oral herpes. But it can be effective in killing and keeping the herpes virus that causes cold sores. Some other components of coconut oil are medium-chain triglycerides that exhibit properties that are antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral.
And they are specifically lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid. With these fats, the outer layer of lipid-covered bacteria, fungus, and viruses can be dissolved.
Coconut oil does not provide a cure but it helps to hasten the healing process and also soothe the pain and discomfort caused by cold sores.
Does Coconut Oil Heal Sores?
So, to the question; is coconut oil good for cold sores, we have this to say;
Herpes simplex virus, as well as cold sores, can’t be cured. It can be treated and managed. The cold sores outbreak usually lasts between 1-3 weeks.
But if treated with coconut oil both topically and orally, it can heal as quickly as the time duration is reduced by 3 or 4. Take some amount of unrefined melted coconut oil, a small amount preferably.
Then use a cotton ball to apply the oil on the cold sores gently. Do this to stop itching, discomfort, inflammation, and burning. This method is very easy and quick. Coconut oil can be applied as many times as you need to for a lasting soothing relief throughout the day.
For internal use, treat oral herpes by swapping your regular oil, butter oil, and olive oil with coconut oil. This helps to strengthen the body’s antiviral and antimicrobial fight against oral herpes.
Ideally, foods that are rich in antioxidants, lysine, B-complex vitamins, and probiotics assist in stopping the outbreak of oral herpes. They also help in accelerating the healing of cold sores.
Now that you are sure that coconut oil is an antibacterial agent, you can go ahead and add coconut oil to your meal. This will help the vital components present in the food become active.
Conclusion On Is Coconut Oil Good For Cold Sores?
At last, cold sores will cease to be a nightmare for those who are eager to learn more about it and not subject themselves to misery.
Knowledge is power and it will be a great move to share this information with others. This is to let them know coconut oil is good for cold sores.
Read more about Does Coconut Oil Help With Keratosis Pilaris?
FAQ´s
[rank_math_rich_snippet id=”s-e1202fcc-e46a-4a41-84cc-3b3efa3d242e”]
