Cold Sore Tips for Prevention and Treatment
Written by Grant Dougan Thursday, 17 September 2009 12:51 -
Cold sores aren't just cosmetically ugly; they hurt too. As anyone who's ever had one can attest, they can be almost overwhelmingly painful. To help you conquer cold sores, we've gathered some cold sore tips to assist you in relieving the pain of a current cold sore outbreak, and to help you prevent new outbreaks down the road. by GrantDougan Cold sores aren't just cosmetically ugly; they hurt too. As anyone who's ever had one can attest, they can be almost overwhelmingly painful. To help you conquer cold sores, we've gathered some cold sore tips to assist you in relieving the pain of a current cold sore outbreak, and to help you prevent new outbreaks down the road. Before we begin, let's briefly explain what causes cold sores. Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are the result of the Herpes Simplex Virus I (HSV I). Note that this is different from the genital herpes virus. HSV I is highly contagious and very common. Up to 80% of the population has the virus, which lies dormant in our bodies while no outbreak is present. The vast majority of those infected with HSV I contract the virus by the time they are seven years old. Once you've got it, there's no way to get rid of the virus. When outbreaks occur, the result is painful and unattractive sores around the mouth and lips. These happen when the normally inactive herpes virus is triggered. Cold Sore Tips ? Preventing Outbreaks So, what is it that causes the typically latent HSV I to become active? There are several common triggers, which include: ? Stress ? Weak immune system ? Illness ? Pregnancy or menstruation ? Injured or irritated lips and mouth Basically, whenever the body's defenses are compromised or the system is overloaded by stress, cold sores can be the result. The simplest way to avoid cold sores is to avoid the triggers that cause them. Obviously, when it comes to cold sore outbreaks in pregnancy or during a woman's menstrual cycle, some of the hormonal triggers can't be avoided. In these cases, the best prevention is a proactive approach. A variety of supplements and drugstore products exist that can aid in preventing cold sores. Your strategy should include avoiding injuries to the lips and mouth as a result of overexposure to the sun and chapping. You should also eat a healthy diet that reinforces the immune system, and use a natural lip balm to soothe dry lips. Cold Sore Tips for Effective Treatment
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Cold Sore Tips for Prevention and Treatment
Written by Grant Dougan Thursday, 17 September 2009 12:51 -
If you're already in suffering from a cold sore outbreak, you might be wondering how you can soothe the symptoms. The cold sore tips below can help you calm the pain of your cold sores: ? Apply a medication directly to the sores to numb the pain. You may want to try one of the many "caine" medications, like lidocaine or benzocaine. Benzoyl alcohol or a phenol-containing preparation can also be effective. ? Use an antibiotic ointment to keep the sores from becoming infected. ? Use a good salve to moisturize the sores and prevent them from scabbing and scarring. ? Try taking zinc and lysine supplements. These may reduce the duration of a cold sore outbreak. Zinc is also known to boost the immune system. The surest way to prevent cold sores is by taking care of yourself with a whole-foods diet, exercise, and good supplement program that keeps your immune system strong and healthy. Sleep well, and make sure you learn to deal effectively with stress. While prevention is really the best treatment plan, if you do end up with painful cold sores, use these cold sore tips to minimize the associated pain and help get rid of your outbreak sooner. About the Author: Click Here to discover a technique to cure your cold sores within 3 days! It's an easy and effective way to stop cold sores so you don't have to worry about them!
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