Cold Sore Prevention

The herpes virus has two strains, the herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2). HSV-2 is usually the cause of genital herpes, but both strains can cause cold stores on the mouth or on the genital area. Once the herpes virus has entered your immune system, it is a resident for life. There is no cure for cold sores or the herpes viruses that cause it, but there are preventative measures you can take to avoid outbreaks.

What is a Cold Sore?

• A cold sore is also referred to as a "fever blister" and commonly forms on the lips or the skin that immediately surrounds the lips. Cold sores have five stages; the tingle stage, blister stage, ulcer stage, scabbing stage and healing stage. According to New York-Presbyterian, the duration time for a cold sore is approximately eight to 12 days.

Avoid Open Blisters

• Cold sores usually break open and weep shortly after they erupt. This is the most contagious time for cold-sore sufferers. During this time, kissing is discouraged. In fact, any close contact that involves the mouth or saliva should be avoided. Mayoclinic.com stresses that even if it looks as if a cold sore has healed, it can still be contagious.

Clean Hands

• Proper hand-washing is an essential part of cold-sore prevention. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, cold sores can easily be spread to other areas of the body if the herpes virus is lingering on the hands. The skin surrounding the genitals is highly sensitive to the herpes virus. A cold sore on the mouth can be spread to the genitals via the hands. Cold sores can also be spread to your eyes.

No Sharing

• Sharing personal items with others is an absolute no-no. An open cold sore is highly contagious, and the herpes virus can be easily transferred to anything it comes in contact with. Therefore, sharing things like bath towels, wash cloths, lip gloss and lip balm is not advised. Plymouth State University Health Services also says to avoid sharing eating utensils, food and drinking glasses.

Triggers

• The frequency of cold-sore outbreaks can be reduced by steering clear of the stresses, or "triggers," that are known to cause outbreaks. These triggers can weaken the immune system and awaken the inactive herpes virus. According to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, poor diet, lack of sleep and the common cold or influenza virus can cause cold sores to appear. Exposure to the sun can also trigger a cold sore. Always use sun block when outdoors during daylight hours. Stress itself can also cause cold-sore outbreaks.

Natural Preventatives

• Arginine is an amino acid that is naturally produced by the body. Unfortunately, the herpes virus thrives on arginine, so cold-sore sufferers may want to think twice about having it in their diet. Limiting foods that are high in arginine, such as chocolate and nuts, can help suppress cold sores. The University of Michigan Health Systems says that the addition of 1,000 milligrams of lysine a day works to suppress the herpes virus and limits cold-sore outbreaks. For faster healing, witch hazel, vitamin E and zinc sulfate can be applied to cold sores. In addition, 200 milligrams of vitamin C every day can help boost the immune system and squelch cold sores.