Applying ice on a cold sore can be effective in relieving some of its inflammation. Ice is considered to be a home remedy for the treatment of cold sores and is not a cure. It is recommended to use ice on a cold sore at the first signs of an outbreak.

Treating a cold sore with ice involves applying it to the sore every hour. The ice should only be applied for roughly five minutes at a time and not longer than a total of 15 minutes. The beginning stages of formation are when it is most effective to apply ice on a cold sore. Sufferers will usually get a feeling of tingling in the skin of the affected area that alerts them to a potential outbreak.

Putting ice on a cold sore will not cure the infection or prevent its recurrence. In fact, there is no known cure for the virus that causes cold sore outbreaks. The ice provides temporary relief from the swelling and inflammation. It is not guaranteed to speed up the recovery and healing process.

It can be helpful to place ice on a cold sore to reduce its unsightly appearance. Ice constricts the blood vessels in the skin that become irritated as a result of the sore. The cold temperature of the ice will most likely result in a temporary reduction in the size of the sore. Any surrounding redness and inflammation are also likely to be reduced.

Ice can be used to help alleviate some of the pain associated with cold sores. The pain relief is likely to be temporary, but the remedy can be used in conjunction with over-the-counter medications such as aspirin. Frequent application is necessary to alleviate the pain.

Some of the side effects of putting ice on a cold sore include temporary numbing of the affected area. This usually subsides within a few hours of application. It can also be somewhat inconvenient to have to keep applying ice every so often in order to achieve the desired results. Those who use ice to treat a cold sore should also be careful to not allow the ice or other application materials to come in contact with others, as the virus is considered to be very contagious. A few individuals also find the application of ice to the skin to be somewhat uncomfortable, especially if they have a sensitivity to cold temperatures.