Keep Your Hands Away From Cold Sores: 6 Ways To Prevent A Cracker

If you’ve got a big event coming up, you may want to avoid cold sores. It’s almost time for the holidays and gatherings with family and friends can be stressful. Cold sores don’t care how much pressure you feel or how little sleep you get, they happen when your immune system is weak, can run in families, and are more common as you age.

6 Simple Ways To Prevent Cold Sores

1. Avoid sharing utensils, cups, or anything else that could come into contact with another person’s mouth.

2. If you must share something with someone who has a cold sore, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterward.

3. Avoid touching cold sores directly. If you do accidentally touch one, make sure to wash your hands immediately afterward.

4. Don’t pick at or squeeze cold sores, as this can cause them to spread.

5. Keep your lips moisturized by using a lip balm or cream, especially during winter when the air is dryer and can chap your lips more easily.

6. Finally, if you feel a cold sore coming on, try to avoid stress as much as possible since stress can trigger an outbreak ( Mayo Clinic).

Signs and Symptoms of a Cold Sores

A cold sore is a fluid-filled, painful blister that usually appears on the lips, chin, cheeks, or nose. The main symptom of a cold sore is a burning or tingling sensation around your mouth. Other symptoms may include:

-Redness

-Swelling

-Itching

-Pain when you talk or eat

-Flu-like symptoms, such as fever and body aches

If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor right away. Early treatment can help prevent the spread of the virus and speed up your recovery time.

What causes this condition and is there a cure for it?

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There is no cure for HSV, but there are ways to prevent cold sores from developing.

Most people with HSV-1 contract it during childhood. The virus is spread through close contact with someone who has the virus, such as through kissing or sharing cups and utensils. Once you have the virus, it remains in your body for life.

Cold sores usually develop when you’re under stress or have a cold, flu, or other illness. The sores typically appear on your lips, but they can also occur on your gums, tongue, the roof of your mouth, or inside your nose. Cold sores usually last for about a week and go through three stages:

A small bump appears on your skin.

The bump turns into a blister.

The blister breaks open and heals.

There are several ways to prevent cold sores from developing, including:

-Avoiding close contact with people who have the virus.
-Not sharing cups or utensils with others.
-Washing your hands often. -Avoiding stress. -Getting enough rest. -Eating a healthy diet.

What’s the best way to treat a cold sore if I already have one?

There are a few things you can do to ease the pain of a cold sore and speed up the healing process. Cold sores usually go away on their own within a week or two, but there are some things you can do to help them heal faster.

If you already have a cold sore, the best thing to do is leave it alone. Don’t pick at it or try to pop it. This will only make it worse and prolong the healing process. Instead, try these tips:

Apply a lip balm or cream. This will help to soothe the sore and keep it moisturized.

Apply a cold compress. This will help to reduce swelling and pain.

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and help your body fight off the virus.

Get plenty of rest. Your body needs extra energy to fight off the infection, so make sure you get enough sleep.

What Nutrients can help protect against a cold sore?

There are a few key nutrients that can help keep cold sores at bay and even help to heal them. These include:

Lysine – is an amino acid that can be found in foods like fish, chicken, legumes, and dairy. It helps to reduce the frequency and severity of cold sores.

Vitamin C – is found in citrus fruits, leafy greens, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Vitamin C helps to boost the immune system and fight off viral infections.

Zinc – is found in meat, poultry, seafood, beans, nuts, and whole grains. Zinc helps to heal wounds and fight off infections.

There are also a few home remedies that can help to treat cold sores. Some of these include:

How do you know if you have a cold sore?

A cold sore is a blister that typically forms on the lip or around the mouth. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Cold sores are contagious and can be passed to others through close contacts, such as kissing.

There are several ways to tell if you have a cold sore. The first is by looking for common symptoms, which include:

-Red, swollen, and/or painful skin around your mouth

-A fluid-filled blister that breaks open and crusts over

-Itching or burning sensation around your mouth

-Sore throat

-Fever

If you experience these symptoms, it’s best to see a doctor confirm whether or not you have a cold sore. A doctor can also prescribe medication to help shorten the duration of the cold sore and make the symptoms less severe.

Conclusion

There you have it! Six ways to prevent a cold sore from developing on your lips. By following these simple tips, you can avoid the embarrassment and discomfort that comes with these pesky blisters. Do you have any other tips for preventing cold sores? Share them with us in the comments below!