Also known as a fever blister, cold sores are a viral nuisance caused by the herpes simplex virus, according to Health 911, a natural health resource website overseen by board-certified physicians. When a cold sore outbreak occurs, you may experience a blister-like occurrence on the lip that is crusted or oozes pus. Fever blisters are not only painful, they can be visually unappealing and can last for several weeks. Taking preventive measures can help you avoid the highly contagious onset of these cold sores.
Step 1
Avoid contact with those who experience cold sore lesions. This means refraining from kissing or drinking or eating after an infected person, according to Medline Plus, an online resource of the National Institutes of Health. Doing so can trigger cold sores to form.
Step 2
Apply a lip balm containing a sun protection factor of 15 or greater before going outside. The sun is known to trigger a cold sore outbreak. Avoid excess sun exposure when attempting to prevent cold sore outbreaks.
Step 3
Ask your physician for an antiviral medication prescription that you can take regularly to prevent cold sore outbreaks, according to Colgate World of Care. This is especially beneficial if you experience a weakened immune system and are prone to frequent outbreaks.
Step 4
Replace your toothbrush after a cold sore outbreak, according to Mother Nature, a health resource website that details at-home treatments for common conditions. Even after your outbreak is over, the virus can live on your toothbrush for several days and reinfect you. When you do purchase a new toothbrush, store the toothbrush in a dry area. A moist place, such as your bathroom, can harbor viruses.
Step 5
Take a daily lysine supplement of 2,000 to 3,000 mg per day, according to Mother Nature. Taking this supplement has been shown to reduce cold sore outbreaks in those who experience three or more cold sore outbreaks per year, according to Dr. Mark A. McCune, chief dermatologist at Humana Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas, on Mother Nature.
Step 6
Wash your hands frequently, according to MayoClinic.com. Keeping your hands clean ensures you remove harmful viral bacteria from your hands that can lead to a cold sore.
Tips and Warnings
- Cold sores can be triggered by a number of factors --- low immune system, stress or even going to the dentist. Keep a careful record of when you experienced a cold sore, which may help you identify a pattern. Once you identify a trigger, make efforts to avoid the trigger to reduce the likelihood of a cold sore outbreak, according to Mother Nature.
Things You'll Need
- Sunscreen-containing lip balm
- Lysine supplement
