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Remedies to Keep Cold Sores From Coming on

Cold sores are sometimes referred to as fever blisters. They are also sometimes confused with canker sores. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex 1 virus. Canker sores are a non-contagious mouth ulcer and are usually found inside of the mouth, whereas cold sores are typically found on the skin around the outside of the mouth. Generally speaking, there is no cure for cold sores, but some things can be done to help prevent them.

  1. Understanding the Triggers

    • As with genital herpes, triggers can make cold sores appear more frequently, remain active longer or become more difficult to get rid of. Pregnancy, lip or gum injury, cosmetic surgery, fatigue, stress, lowered immune system and hormonal changes are all triggers for recurring cold sores. Taking steps to lower stress will be beneficial.

    Diet

    • The rule of thumb is to avoid acidic and salty foods. These include chocolate, peanuts, grains, peas, seeds, oatmeal and whole wheat foods. These foods do not have to be completely omitted, but should be avoided as much as possible. Tea and coffee drinks should also be avoided as much as possible. Whatever foods are being eaten should be rich in vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A, C and E and zinc and iron are all extremely important to avoiding cold sores. Garlic is good for killing viruses. Fresh foods that are high in antioxidants are the best. These foods include blueberries and raspberries. Grapes are also a good choice, along with green, leafy vegetables.

    Home Remedies for Cold Sores

    • Ice is an excellent home remedy for cold sores. It can be applied once every hour for a few minutes to relieve pain, swelling and inflammation. How long someone leaves the ice on depends on tolerance and comfort level. Try leaving it on for three to five minutes to start. Do not exceed 10 minutes. When the cold sores become a blister, tea bags are a very effective treatment. Some people use black tea bags on their eyes to reduce eye swelling and to remoisturize their eyes, but one can also be used on a cold sore. Simply boil some water on the stove, add a tea bag for a few minutes, remove the tea bag and cool. Place against the cold sore for up to 30 minutes. Do not allow the tea bag to completely cool before applying it to the cold sore. This process works best if the tea bag is slightly warm.

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