Is getting rid of cold sores a pressing desire for you? If so, by the time you are done reading this article, you will know exactly how to get rid of cold sores in your life.

If getting rid of cold sores for you means healing a current cold sore fast, or preventing cold sores before they can occur, this article will help. The key to success is deactivating the herpes virus. Keeping it in this dormant stage will prevent future cold sores.

The herpes simplex virus normally is latent. It is hiding in the nerve cells near where the outbreaks occur. No matter what you hear there is no proven way to actually remove this herpes virus from your body. Fact is, even if there was a way, you would quickly catch it again. Why? Because nearly everyone in the world - estimated around 91% - carries the cold sore virus.

Getting rid of cold sores is really an easy three-step process. 1. Destroy as much virus as possible. 2. Make the cold sore area uncomfortable for the virus. 3. Heal the cold sore damage as quickly as possible.

Alcohol is the universal germ killer. It can sting but is ideal for destroying cold sore virus. If you use bottled alcohol, apply with a cotton ball. Pre-packaged alcohol swabs are available and most convenient. One down side - alcohol has to be applied frequently. A cold sore treatment that will kill viruses but lasts longer between applications, are oils such as oregano or garlic oil. Both work great, feel good and last a long time. Oregano smells better in public.

Making the area unfriendly to the cold sore virus is as simple as applying ice or any cold object. The herpes virus hates cold and will retreat from it.

Finally, applying some fresh (from a plant leaf) Aloe Vera gel on the sore will speed healing dramatically.

Getting rid of cold sores for good will take an on-going focus on your part. Here are a couple of ways other cold sore sufferers have used to prevent cold sores from taking place.

Truth be told, many folks get rid of cold sores merely by adding a good vitamin-mineral supplement to their daily diet. First, this helps boost your immune system giving you greater resistance to viral type illnesses. Second, minerals such as calcium, magnesium and zinc help keep your body more alkaline. This is especially important under stress conditions that normally turn the body acid. The cold sore virus can't get any traction in an alkaline environment.

If you have had more than one cold sore event in your life, you are probably aware of these early symptoms. Just before the cold sore appears, the target area will start to feel uncomfortable - itching, burning, dryness. This may last two hours to two days. You can stop the cold sore in its tracks. Just apply the right cold sore treatment during this time. The simplest and most convenient is to apply ice quickly and often. You will either delay the cold sore or send the herpes virus back into hibernation.

There are a variety of cold sore remedies available at your local stores. For the most part, these are comfort remedies. They have not been proven to shorten the cold sore event by more than a few days. But, comfort is important too. Look for products with a numbing agent for reducing pain, and an anti-bacterial to prevent a secondary bacterial infection.

Getting rid of cold sores can be as simple as taking a daily vitamin supplement. Or it may take more effort by following an alkaline enhancing diet or trying different topical treatments.

You are different. You are unique. Finding the correct cold sore remedy that will work best for you may take a little trial and error on your part. But if you are determined, and start applying the suggestions mentioned here, you may soon find yourself permanently getting rid of cold sores.