Beef-up On Cruciferous Vegetables: Clinical studies are beginning to suggest that veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, and kale are of great benefit to cold-sore sufferers.Eat Raw, Alkalizing Foods: Fruits and vegetables are super-good for you.Here are some good dietary suggestions for cold sore sufferers: To tackle the weather, always keep your preferred brand of lip moisturizer with sunscreen on hand to protect your lips from weather's effect on your lips.Īnd, to boost your immune system, be sure to get enough sleep and find ways to combat stress in your life.Īlso, as with most things in life, what's good for our waistlines is good for our immune system. The top two reasons are a weakened immune system, and exposure to rapidly changing weather. Knowing what causes them to surface is key. The adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," is certainly true when it comes to cold sores.
Specifically, preventing, treating and eliminating the transmission of this most annoying of viruses. Well, quite honestly, what "works" when it comes to cold-sores, is management. You've also probably heard of countless ways to deal with them, from over-the-counter remedies to treatment options that span generations. (adapted from Mayo Clinic Health Letter) - Dr.Whether you call them cold sores or fever blisters, if you're among the more than 40% of Americans who regularly experience this inflammatory viral nuisance, you know they're anything but a joy to deal with. Stress-relieving techniques also may help reduce outbreaks.
#Cold sores cool compress skin#
To protect your skin and reduce the likelihood of further flare-ups, use a lip balm that contains a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Do not share utensils, cups or other dishes. Keep personal items, such as towels and lip balm, separate from other people in your household during the time you have a sore. To keep the virus from spreading, avoid kissing and other skin-to-skin contact with anyone else while you have a cold sore. Also, see your provider for treatment if any cold sores develop near your eyes or at the tip of your nose. If you have eczema or a weakened immune system, you may be prone to more serious infections and complications, and should consult your health care provider. Oral antivirals may take one to two days off of the duration of an outbreak. He or she may recommend treatment with an antiviral medication in pill form. If a cold sore persists for longer than two weeks or keeps returning, see your primary care provider or a dermatologist for an evaluation. However, the effect of the drug is limited, only reducing the duration of symptoms by a matter of hours.
Abreva is most effective if used when you first notice tingling or other early symptoms that indicate a cold sore is forming. To reduce the duration of cold sores and relieve symptoms, the nonprescription antiviral cream docosanol (Abreva) may be worth a try. Applying petroleum jelly to the sore and surrounding skin can reduce dryness and cracking. You also may want to cut back on foods that can irritate a sore, including foods that are salty or spicy, as well as acidic foods, such as tomatoes and citrus fruits. If the discomfort bothers you, a nonprescription pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help.Ī cool compress or sucking on ice chips may minimize any burning or itch. Most cold sores will heal on their own within a couple of weeks. A day or two before an outbreak occurs, you may experience a burning, itching or tingling sensation on the area of skin where the sore eventually will appear.Ĭommon triggers that can lead to cold sores include stress illness, such as a cold or influenza exposure to sunlight, wind or other elements a cut or injury to the skin changes in the immune system and hormonal changes. These blisters quickly dry out and form a scab. There’s no cure, but antiviral medications can help cold sores heal more quickly and may reduce how often they return.Ī cold sore is a small, fluid-filled blister - or more often, a group of blisters - that typically develops on or around the lips. Often, there’s a trigger that causes the virus to wake up, which leads to the development of cold sores. After the initial infection, the virus will travel to your nerves, where it remains dormant but may awaken periodically. Once you’re exposed to the virus, which is typically passed from skin-to-skin contact, it’s present in your body for life. What causes them to come back, and what’s the best way to treat them?ĪNSWER: Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have had a few cold sore flare-ups over the past few months after years without getting any.
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