Natural Cold Sore Prevention for Recurring Outbreaks

By Jenny Smith

No one wishes for cold sores, so most people try to keep from ever contracting the herpes simplex virus-1. For people who do have reoccurring outbreaks, there are many remedies available. The following natural cold sore prevention techniques are some common remedies used by individuals who battle the effects of HSV-1.

Use Zinc:

Ointments with zinc have been shown to keep blisters from spreading, when applied as soon as the blisters first appear. This ointment will also speed up the healing process. Better yet, use oral zinc spray - a product sold for treating the common cold.

Replace Toothbrush:

You can't stop brushing your teeth just because you have a cold sore. Yet, your toothbrush will continue to carry the virus even after the cold sore is gone, at least for a few days. So, replacing your toothbrush following an outbreak is helpful. You can also sterilize it by running it in the dishwasher or submersing it for an hour in a container of peroxide.

Cold Sore's Should be Kept Clean and Dry:

Trying to cover up cold sores with an make-up can actually cause the blisters to spread more. Wash the infected area regularly, avoid face lotions, and allow the cold sores to completely dry. Some drying products that you can use are witch hazel, zinc oxide or a sea salt paste made with water.

Use Ice:

Usually, when a cold sore is coming, you can feel it. There's often a slight tingle in the affected area. As soon as you feel the tingle, apply an ice cold compress. If you do this, the cold sore development will stall - and may even stop completely.

Stay Away From Foods with Arginine:

Arginine is what the herpes virus needs to create your sore. You're best to avoid foods like peanuts, peas, foods containing gelatin, chocolate, grain cereals and beer. Taking additional Lysine is also helpful. The Big Secret about Lysine - it makes the Arginine in your body less available to this virus.

Other methods of natural cold sore prevention include avoiding sharing drinks or products that touch your mouth like chap-stick. This means don't share drinks, eating utensils, lipsticks or anything else that may increase your chances of getting the herpes simplex virus. Do not kiss when one of you has a sore.

Natural ways of treating cold sores are your best options. They are well proven over the past 2000 years and they are cheap or free. You will find that you will seldom have to go out and buy anything. Most of the best treatments are in your home right now. Here is suggested reading for many other FREE options for getting rid of cold sores in your life.

Cold Sore Outbreaks: What to do?

By Utley Skinendorf

Cold sores, which are mostly found around the lips and in the general mouth area, are caused by a virus of the name Herpes Simplex.

Even though the lips are most commonly affected by the virus, outbreaks can also spread to other body parts. This is possible because the herpes simplex virus is fairly contagious.

When it comes to herpes simplex infections, there are two viruses that cause them and the one that results in cold sores is Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). It is mostly known to affect the areas on the face such as the lips as well as the mouth, and at times it can even affect the eyes.

The sores that result from this virus can be quite painful, and at times they may be accompanied by fever, which makes it even more uncomfortable to have.

One thing to be aware of is that saliva can carry the virus. It is often stated that, even when one does not currently have a cold sore, the virus can be spread. In that case, would you never be able to safely kiss again?

Also keep in mind that a strong immune system will always help you in the fight against cold sores, so take good care of it.

This is important, because you might have noticed that cold sore outbreaks often occur when you are particularly stressed or off-balance. This is also a time when the immune system is especially weak.

Of course, there are quite a few treatment options for you to choose from. The choice is yours, but I highly recommend seeing a doctor, if you feel the pain or the intensity of the outbreaks is too much.

With that being said, if the outbreaks are rare and you feel okay about them, you might not even want to do anything, but just let them heal naturally - although this always takes much longer.

There are other treatment options for you to use, from home remedies to over the counter medications, it all depends on what you want to use.

Over-the-counter medications normally just provide comfort - do not expect them to improve the actual healing process. Free home remedies are a great choice. They have been proven over many years to work as well as or better than prescription treatments. And the best part is that they are often already in your kitchen and bath.