How to Get Rid of Cold Sores That Keep Reoccurring

Getting a cold sore can be painful and embarrassing, but getting a cold sore that keeps reoccurring can be even worse. Although there is no surefire way to get rid of cold sores that keep reoccurring for good, there are steps you can take in your life to help keep the cold sores away.

Instructions

• 1

  Get rid of existing cold sores. There are many home remedies out there that help get rid of cold sores. A common known remedy is putting lemon juice on the affected site several times a day until the cold sore is gone. Another common household remedy is using apple cider vinegar to apply to the cold store every day until it goes away.

• 2

  Throw away your old toothbrush and toothpaste and buy new ones. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are highly contagious. People can get cold sores from their own toothbrush and toothpaste because the virus is living on the brush or the toothpaste tube.

• 3

  Focus on eating a diet that is high in lysine and low in arginine to help prevent against cold sores reoccurring. Lysine is known to slow down the virus in reproducing. In order to get more lysine in your diet drink more milk and eat more beans, potatoes, fish and chicken. You can also see your doctor to see if taking lysine supplements is right for you.

• 4

  Avoid emotional and physical stress. Stress can trigger cold sores to develop because your body's defenses are lowered. Stress can include not sleeping enough at night, having a cold or flu and staying in the sun too long.

• 5

  Avoid sharing personal items with others. Due to how contagious the herpes virus is, it spreads from person to person without warning. Sharing eating utensils, toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, and even towels with someone with the virus can make you very susceptible to getting it.