Cold sores are the apparent sign of the Herpes simplex virus. Once contracted, the virus lies dormant in your body until it is triggered by another situation. Then, small lesions, also known as fever blisters, begin to form around the mouth. There are some ways you can help prevent cold sores on your lips, even if you have the virus.
If you do not have the Herpes simplex virus, the best way to prevent cold sores is to avoid kissing or touching the face of someone who is currently having an outbreak. It is almost impossible to contract the virus when it is not active in the body. Therefore, safeguarding yourself from cold sores will help prevent you from getting one. If you do happen to come into contact with a cold sore, quickly wash the affected area with warm water and soap to help kill the virus.
Those that do have the Herpes virus and experience cold sores from time to time can do various things to prevent them. One is to keep a healthy immune system that can fight the virus when it tries to rear its ugly head. Cold sores only occur when your immune system is not functioning properly. Common methods that can help prevent improper function is to eat a healthy diet, take vitamins, exercise regularly, and sleep well.
Lysine supplements are also a good way to prevent cold sores on the lips. Lysine is an anti-virus agent found in the body that helps to control outbreaks. Many people who take a lysine supplement daily have been free from cold sores for years. It is important that you ask your doctor if this method is a viable prevention technique before beginning the supplement.
If you have a cold sore anywhere on your face, it’s essential that you refrain from touching it to avoid self-transferring the lesion to another area. For example, don’t touch the cold sore and then immediately touch your lips or other area of the body. This could cause multiple cold sores to occur on different locations of the body. If you have to touch the sore in order to medicate it, wash your hands as soon as you are done. You may also want to treat the sore while wearing gloves to further prevent the spread of new lesions.
When it comes to cold sores on the lips, there are many ways you can help your body prevent them from occurring. The most effective method is to keep your immune system in perfect working order so it can fight off the virus. Living a healthy lifestyle can ward off illnesses that can trigger a cold sore outbreak as well. Being careful to avoid self transfer is also vital if you don’t want to deal with multiple sores.