Cold sores are blisters caused by the herpes simplex virus-1 that usually erupt on or near the lips. They can also occur on the face, mouth or the inside of the nose. The virus that causes cold sores often emerges when your immune system is weakened, particularly when you are overly fatigued or getting over a cold or the flu. While there is no cure for cold sores, there are things you can do to alleviate the symptoms or prevent spreading the virus to someone else.
Step 1
Maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of outbreaks. Eat nutritious foods and stay physically active to help boost your immune system. Get enough sleep at night and do what you can to reduce stress levels. Once a person becomes infected with the cold sore virus, it remains dormant in the body's nerve cells. Outbreaks can reoccur whenever the immune system is low or the body is under some sort of stress.
Step 2
Wash your hands after you have been near someone who has a cold sore, or to prevent the spread of the virus if you have a cold sore. Likewise, do not kiss someone who has a cold sore. Avoid sharing towels, eating utensils and other items that can spread the virus that causes cold sores. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic warn that the virus is most contagious and can spread easily when blisters are open and oozing fluid. The eyes and genital area are other parts of the body, which can be particularly susceptible when exposed to the herpes virus.
Step 3
Use moisturizer on your lips, especially during the driest months of the year. Dry lips can trigger the outbreak of cold sores. Apply sunscreen on your face and lip balm on your lips, even during the wintertime.
Step 4
Begin treating a cold sore in its earliest stages. Apply an over-the-counter ointment as soon as you feel any tingling and itching. The topical anesthetics and antiseptics contained in over-the-counter cold sore ointments can help speed recovery time and ease the discomfort. According to the National Library of Medicine, taking a lysine supplement can help reduce the frequency of cold sore outbreaks for some people.
Step 5
Use cold compresses to reduce the swelling of a cold sore. Take an over-the counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve pain.
Step 6
Prevent cold sores from worsening or spreading to other areas on your face by not squeezing, pinching or picking at a cold sore.
Things You'll Need
- Over-the-counter topical cold sore ointment
- Lip balm
- Sunscreen
- Lysine supplement
- Cold compress
- Ibuprofen or acetaminophen
