Ways to Prevent Having Cold Sores

There are simple ways which help in preventing cold sores from occurring. But first, what are cold sores? Also known as fever blisters or oral blisters, cold sores are small fluid-filled sores which often appear on the nose or the mouth. It is caused by the the herpes simplex virus and it can be quite painful and itchy. Once your body has been infected with the said virus, your chances of having outbreaks are high as the virus will no longer leave your body. Medical experts still have not identified what exactly it is that causes cold sores. However, it is believed that factors such as stress. exposure to sunlight, damage to the skin of the affected area and illness - particularly common colds - might trigger an outbreak. There is no known cure to cold sores which is why the best thing a person infected with the virus can do is to avoid practices that can increase its chances of reappearing. Here then are some of simple ways in preventing cold sores.

• As mentioned above, illnesses most particularly the common colds can increase one's chances of having cold sores. Therefore, it is important to strengthen the immune system. This can be done by taking multivitamins or at least 1000 mg of Vitamin C everyday. You should also get at least 15 mg of the micronutrient Zinc. Zinc is known to help maintain a healthy immune system and improves the body's ability to heal quickly. Food that are rich in Zinc include oysters, lamb, roasted squash and pumpkin seeds and dried watermelon seeds.
• An essential amino acid that is found in food such as eggs, red meat and spinach, Lysine helps the body produce antibodies which in turn will boost immunity to diseases. Studies have shown that taking Zinc in large amounts helps lessen the healing time of a cold sore as well as the number of outbreaks.
  
• Because sun exposure can trigger a cold sore outbreak, it will be best to limit your exposure to the sun. If it can't be avoided, make sure to wear sunscreen. As much as possible, you should also stay out of the wind for the same reasons.
• Cold sore is highly contagious. If you known someone who has cold sores, avoid close contact such as kissing or other activities which will openly expose you to their virus. Also, do not share items they have used such as glass, utensils or towels.
• Have a healthy diet. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and cut down on processed food. You should also drink plenty of fluids. Drink at least 10 glasses of water each day but it is better if you can take more.
  

Should you catch the virus and have a cold sore, prevent from touching the area as it might worsen. It is best to put a medicated lip balm or cream on it. Better yet, call your doctor and ask for what the best treatment is for your cold sore.