Cold sores aren’t just cosmetically ugly; they hurt too. As anyone who’s ever had one can attest, they can be almost overwhelmingly painful. To help you conquer cold sores, we’ve gathered some cold sore tips to assist you in relieving the pain of a current cold sore outbreak, and to help you prevent new outbreaks down the road.
Before we begin, let’s briefly explain what causes cold sores.
A virus known as the Herpes Simplex Virus I or HSV I is the root cause of cold sores, also called fever blisters. Don’t let the name confuse you ? this virus is completely distinct from the one that causes genital herpes lesions.
HSV I is highly contagious and very common. Up to 80% of the population has the virus, which lies dormant in our bodies while no outbreak is present. The vast majority of those infected with HSV I contract the virus by the time they are seven years old. Once you’ve got it, there’s no way to get rid of the virus.
When the herpes virus lies dormant, there are no signs or symptoms in a person who has the virus. That is, until the virus is somehow reactivated, resulting in painful and unsightly cold sore blisters around the lips and mouth.
Prevent Outbreaks with these Cold Sore Tips
So, what is it that causes the typically latent HSV I to become active? There are several common triggers, which include:
? Stress ? Poor immune system ? Sickness ? Pregnancy or menstruation ? Injury or irritation of the lips and mouth
Basically, whenever the body’s defenses are compromised or the system is overloaded by stress, cold sores can be the result. The simplest way to avoid cold sores is to avoid the triggers that cause them.
When it comes to cold sores that may occur during pregnancy or a woman’s period, these hormonally-based triggers can’t always be controlled. In cases like this, you can develop a proactive plan of attack.
There are a range of supplements and over-the-counter products available for use in preventing cold sores. Also, a whole-foods diet designed to support the immune system is important, along with measures to prevent injury and severe drying of the lips. A good natural lip moisturizer can help soothe sore, chapped lips and reduce the incidence of cold sores.
Cold Sore Tips ? Treatment
As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but what happens if you need to soothe the symptoms of a current outbreak?
Use the following helpful cold sore tips for symptom relief:
? Apply a medication directly to the sores to numb the pain. You may want to try one of the many “caine” medications, like lidocaine or benzocaine. Benzoyl alcohol or a phenol-containing preparation can also be effective.
? Use an antibiotic ointment to keep the sores from becoming infected.
? A good lip balm should be applied to avoid cracking and scabbing of the open sores.
? Consider taking zinc and lysine supplements. These compounds may allow for faster healing of cold sores. Zinc is also a known immune system support.
Taking care of yourself with a healthful diet and exercise plan, combined with immune-bolstering supplements is the best way to prevent painful cold sore outbreaks. Be sure to get enough restful sleep, and use stress management techniques to avoid succumbing to stress.
Of course, the best offense is a good defense, as they say. But, if you do suffer an outbreak, use these cold sore tips to relieve pain and shorten the duration of the outbreak.
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