Cold Sore Prevention

Cold sores (or fever blisters) are extremely common, affecting most people by the age of 20. Between 70 percent and 90 percent of all people in the United States have been exposed to and carry the virus.

Many infected people will not even notice a sore and some may never have another. However, some people will get them more often. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the appearance, and to accelerate their healing.

Common Prevention Steps

A number of steps can reduce the spread of the virus as well as the severity and number of attacks - the most important of which is hand-washing.

The first step in preventing fiver blisters is to avoid the transmission of the virus. While most people are infected in childhood, some steps can still prevent the spread of the virus. These include:

* Avoid kissing and direct skin contact with infected individuals especially while blisters are present. The secretions from the blisters contain the virus and can be spread easily by physical contact.

* Avoid sharing items such as utensils, towels, lip balm or lipstick. Coming into contact with such items may spread the virus.

* Do not poke or squeeze the blisters and generally avoid touching the lesions entirely. When applying medication, do so with a cotton swab or other approved applicator, not with your fingers.

* Wash your hands carefully and often.

* Avoid touching other parts of your own body, as you may spread the virus to other body parts such as your eyes and genital area. This can lead to serious complications.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors can trigger a cold sore outbreak. Avoiding or minimizing exposure to these factors can help reduce their appearance:

* Exposure to sunlight - Avoid the sun or use lip-balm which contains sunscreen to help reduce the chances of getting a cold sore.

* Stress is a common factor in causing cold sores to appear. Avoiding fatigue and stressful situations, getting enough rest, and generally leading a healthy lifestyle with a good diet can help reduce fever blisters.

* Physical injury or abrasion of the lips can also trigger the virus in some people. Avoid chapped lips by using lip balm or moisturizing creams. These may include aloe vera or other plant extracts. Lemon balm containing Melissa officinalis is recommended by some people who suffer from recurrent fever blisters.

People who suffer from recurrent cold sores often recommend other home remedies to help prevent or reduce the severity of eruptions. For example, dietary or nutritional supplements such as Siberian ginseng, flax seed oil, vitamin C and L-Lysine are sometimes recommended, though they remain scientifically unproven treatments for cold sores.