One question on the minds of many people who frequently suffer
from cold sores is "is there a cure for cold sores?" Sadly, the
answer is no. But while there is no cold sores cure, there are
numerous preventive measures people can take to keep their cold
sore outbreaks to a minimum.
Some of these preventions include not kissing people who
currently have cold sores, protecting the lips from prolonged
exposure to the sun, use lip balm with sun block on the lips at
all times, and avoiding personal triggers that can lead to a
cold sore outbreak. Following these procedures will not
guarantee that a person will never have another cold sore, but
it will decrease the likelihood that they will have another
outbreak.
It is a good idea to avoid any close contact like kissing with
anyone who currently has a cold sore. Although people can spread
the cold-sore-causing HSV-1 virus even when they do not have a
cold sore, it is much more likely to spread when a sore is
present. It is advisable not to share any items with people who
have cold sores as well. Items such as toothbrushes, towels,
razors, and tableware can carry the HSV-1 virus.
It is also a good idea to protect the lips from the sun. People
should wear a lip balm containing sunscreen at all times to
prevent any burning or drying. Even with the sun block, people
should still limit the amount of direct sunlight their lips get.
It is advisable to wear a hat or stay in the shade to keep the
lips from getting too much sun.
Some foods seem to trigger cold sore outbreaks in some people.
Foods and drinks containing caffeine like chocolate, coffee, and
soft drinks make some people more susceptible to cold sore
outbreaks. People who are sensitive to these substances should
limit their intake in order to decrease the likelihood of a cold
sore outbreak.
There is no cold sores cure, but taking these precautions can
greatly reduce the likelihood of a cold sore outbreak. Anyone
who has a weakened immune system is at a risk for cold sores,
but many of these preventive measures can still be effective.
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