Cold sores or fever blisters are a result of an inflammatory reaction following an infection by the herpes simplex virus 1 or its reactivation. Cold sores cannot be avoided all the time, but treating it before it develops into a larger sore is a good way to limit frustration, discomfort and the feeling of isolation.
Recognise the early warning signs
The best time to begin treating a cold sore is as soon as you feel the first symptoms.
The most common early warning sign of a cold sore is itching, tingling or burning around the lips. This symptom may happen a few days before blisters appear. You can also experience a burning or tingling sensation that usually starts to develop a day or two before the cold sore appears.
It is important to take action as promptly as possible. The faster you treat the cold sore, the shorter it will need to be managed.
Preventing its appearance
If you frequently get cold sores, you may already have treatments on hand.
COMPEED® Cold Sore Patches not only makes the cold sore less visible but also acts like a virus shield to help reduce the risk of contamination from the cold sore.
Most often, antiviral medications are used to stop the multiplication of the virus. Cold sore antivirals come in two different forms: cream that is applied directly to the area and pills that are taken orally.
There is evidence emerging about the use of essential oils in managing cold sores. For example, Tea Tree oil has shown the ability to fight the herpes simplex virus, and Peppermint oil and Lemon balm oil were shown to inhibit its activity. You must consult a specialist for advice because essential oils can cause allergic reactions if used improperly.
How to prevent cold sores? - Learn to know your triggers
You can try to avoid the development of cold sores by getting to know what triggers them.
Common cold sore triggers include stress, illness, lack of sleep, fatigue and sun exposure or extreme weather conditions.
Practising sport, relaxation techniques or meditation can be a good option if you need to reduce your stress levels.
Moreover, a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and with no excessive consumption of tobacco boosts the immune defences that will keep the dormant virus under control.
If you experience several outbreaks a year, it could be a good idea to keep a diary or to write down things, such as diet, activities, illnesses, and other life events. Through this, you will be able to identify the factors that trigger a recurrent infection.
An added benefit of knowing cold sore triggers is the ability to be even more proactive in taking measures or medications.
Which kind of diet?
As the virus and other infectious agents are usually kept in check by the immune system, it is essential to boost the ability to fight infection. Eating a diet high in fruit and vegetables helps to reinforce your immune defences.
Arginine and lysine are two amino acids that play central roles as building blocks of proteins. Some evidence, sometimes conflicting, exists on these amino acids. They are thought to affect the herpes simplex virus in different ways: arginine-rich proteins are required for multiplication of virus whereas lysine can help to inhibit the virus. Avoiding foods rich in arginine, such as chocolate, peanuts or almonds, may help to minimise the duration of a cold-sore outbreak. Additionally, foods rich in lysine such as eggs, tuna, soy beans or parmesan cheese, may help optimise the duration of recovery.
