Fighting Cold Sores Dos and Don’ts

Fighting Cold Sores: The Dos, Don’ts, And Remedies That Can Help

If you have ever had to deal with cold sores before, you can easily tell when the tingling sensations are about to materialize again. Once many notice the unpleasant sensations, they start using Abreva and Zovirax; these are medications that work when used at the early stage. However, if you delay the application or they develop overnight, there is a good chance of applying such medications too late. 

Once cold sores develop fully-fledged, life can be quite miserable for the affected. Aside from the sharp pain on your nose, mouth, and/or face, the spots are never nice to keep. Hence, it’s understandable if you are seeking every means to limit their developments and prevent a reoccurrence of the experience. Fortunately, there are some dos and don’ts that can assist against the cold sore symptoms going forward. For those who are not yet familiar with cold sores, let’s begin by introducing the condition. 

What are cold sores?

It’s a medical condition caused by the herpes simplex virus. Once an individual is infected, they can remain inactive in the cell for several years. However, certain situations can help the virus emerge, especially when the immune system is busy or suppressed. Among the factors include menstrual cycle, fatigue, exposure to sunlight directly, and certain diet. 

Be informed that there is currently no cure for cold sores once they are established on the face. In fact, when they heal after a few weeks, you may still experience it before long. The good news is that several natural remedies exist that can help minimize the performance of the virus and heal the condition quicker than unusual. Also, there are some best practices to survive, minimize and banish cold sores for good. 

Dos and Don’ts for a Cold Sore Patient

Dos

• Consume more foods rich in Lysine – Here is common advice for people with cold sores. By eating dairy products, legumes, meat, cheese and certain fish such as cold and sardines, you stand a better chance against herpes cold sores. You’ll find enough quantity of lysine in soybeans, nuts, effs, spirulina, brewer’s yeast, and potatoes too.
• Consider L-lysine supplement – You can also get the amino acid as a supplement. L-lysine helps limit the virus’s growth and quickens the healing process. 
• Use separate towels for face and body – To limit the spread of cold sores from your face to other parts, consider using a special towel for your face. Then, assign a different towel for your body. Also, ensure that you do not share towels with your family members to further prevent spread.

• Use anesthetic ointment – While this is not the most widely used treatment for cold sore patients, it comes in handy for alleviating pain. This is especially useful for those experiencing a bad bout.
• Consider painkillers – If you feel excruciating pain due to cold sores on the face, consider using painkillers to take off the pain. 
• Get rest – You are encouraged to get a lot of sleep regularly. When you do this, cold sores do not appreciate it. 
• Use vitamin supplements – Consider taking supplements containing Vitamin E, vitamin B, or Zinc. It helps heal the skin quickly.
• Enhance your immune system – A good recommendation is to take Echinacea. You may also consider other immune-boosting supplements to knock out cold sores.
• Get moisturized – While you can purchase cold sore and chapped lip creams, you may go for Vaseline or petroleum jelly if you are under budget. A moisture cold sore supports quick healing. However, ensure that you wash your hands properly after applying the creams.
• Engage in exercise – By performing AN exercise, it helps boost your immune system and give the cold sores a tough time. Taking in fresh air alone helps fight off the stress that may promote cold sores. 
• Consider a cold pack – Applying ice on the affected spots helps alleviate the pain. Simply compress to numb out the discomfort.
• Better stress management – To improve the way you manage stress, try to perform yoga, meditation or pilates. They work to relieve stress.
• Get your lips protected – It’s recommendable to use sun-screen lip balm to limit direct sunlight exposure. Also, use lip balm during the winter to keep your lips moist. A chapped lip is more likely to suffer a cold sore outbreak. Contrarily, healthy lips have a better chance against cold sores.

Don’ts

• Settle for foods containing an abundance of arginines such as beer, peanuts, cola, or chocolate.
• Consume salty, acidic foods such as lemon and crips. They will only aggravate the cold sores.
• Engage in oral sex or kisses. Otherwise, you’ll be spreading the condition with your spouse.
• Scratch, pick, or touch the affected spots. When you keep physical contact with the blights, you are encouraging them to spread further. If you do unintentionally, wash your hands as soon as possible.
• Wet the spot. If you do, you’ll be enhancing the chance of spreading it. Avoid swimming, licking the spots, or getting the affected spots wet unnecessarily.
• Let it affect your emotional state. It’s best to ignore them and be kind towards yourself.
• Wear makeup. This may further contaminate the opened spots.
• Keep your toothbrush in the bathroom where moisture will support its longevity. Instead, keep in the bedroom where the virus cells are not likely to survive. 

Natural remedies to consider

Use the following natural remedies to enhance your recovery process and limit the possibility of reoccurrence.

1. Consider using Zovirax. It is widely available in most pharmaceuticals. By using Zovirax as your first line of defense, you are likely to get rid of cold sores earlier. Zovirax contains acyclovir, an agent for putting cold sores on hold. Additionally, patients may consider other brands such as Boots, Abreva, and Lloyds. You are advised to be careful while opening the tubes. Otherwise, you may spew the content on your face or waste it. 
2. Propolis-based cold sore remedies are also widely recommended for managing cold sores. A good recommendation is Herstat, which is known to support quick healing and reduced pain. 
3. Patients may also dab their toothpaste directly on cold sores to dry them out.
4. Consider dabbing Witch Hazel on your cold sores; it has natural healing properties.
5. Check out Corsodyl gel at the chemist.
6. Patients may also dab colloidal silver on the cold sores; it helps with healing. Check colloidal silver out in health food shops to get liquid form.
7. If you spend more time in the bathroom, it helps dry up the cold sore spots.
8. Consider going for real licorice – not the flavored option.
9. Dak cotton wool that has been soaked in milk on your cold sores.

Cold Sores Dos & Don’ts: A Conclusion

And there you have the dos and don’ts to manage cold sores. No one wants to go about with drooling cold sores over their faces. However, you may end up in such a way when not properly managed. Ensure that you take care of cold sore symptoms as you suspect them. Stay healthy and cool!