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Understand Cold Sores Better Before There are Regrets

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Maybe it started in childhood following a severe cold or later in life during a period of stress. The first cold sore often comes as a surprise, is miserable for a few days and gradually heals. These events are uncomplicated and manageable. It becomes a problem when suddenly they appear more often. They interrupt date night, become an embarrassment before a big meeting or just never seem to entirely disappear. This is when it is important to become educated about the reality of cold sores and how those that suffer from them can learn to protect themselves and prepare for the next outbreak.

Realize cold sores are contagious and can spread.

One of the most important facts people need to remember is how easy it is to spread cold sores. This includes spreading them to others and causing new outbreaks from one lesion. Avoid sharing towels, utensils or personal care items with anyone during an outbreak. Hand washing is more important than ever and do not touch any other part of the skin after touching a cold sore.

Cold sores are very dangerous to the young.

Anyone with an active cold sore should refrain from kissing infants. Always wash hands thoroughly before holding an infant. Babies are very susceptible to cold sore infections and the virus can spread through their systems rapidly. The infection can spread to the brain, the eyes and other organs and potentially cause permanent damage. There have been cases of infants dying from the infection.

Cold sore “cures” can lead to scarring.

Be cautious of the advice offered for curing a cold sore. Popping the blisters and applying a caustic material in an attempt to dry up the liquid faster could cause infection and scarring. Do not pick at the blisters or the scabs after they begin to heal. Ice packs, milk compresses and a thin layer of aloe vera can safely soothe and relieve the discomfort of a cold sore. These remedies and prescription and OTC medications may also help the sore to heal faster.

Infection is possible with cold sores.

Get medical help if the skin is red and warm beyond the lesion or if there is more pain than expected. Infection is possible and if it is not addressed quickly it could lead to serious health concerns, like any untreated infection. An antibiotic will help to heal the infection but it will not treat the cold sore.

It is possible to stop some cold sores from forming.

Chronic cold sore sufferers should not expect to never experience a cold sore again. A complete and total cure has not yet been discovered. That does not mean that people cannot find ways to stop the majority of their outbreaks and shorten the lifespan of cold sores that do emerge. Drink more whole milk, add Vitamin C to the diet and avoid acidic and spicy foods. Practice stress management techniques and wear sunblock. Purchase a device known as “The Inhibitor“. It is useful for a variety of skin blemishes and is safe to use on existing cold sores and areas where a sore seems to be forming.

Five Real-Life Lessons About Cold Sore Outbreaks

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Cold sores are painful, embarrassing and frustrating but they are usually nothing more than a temporary complication. Understanding more about why they happen and what may stop them is the only way to manage a chronic condition. Nearly everyone has the virus that causes the blemishes but only a minority of that group actually experiences regular outbreaks. Here are some valuable lessons for those unfortunate souls as well as the occasional sufferers.

Cold sores are not actually out to get certain people.

It will seem that way. First date? Cold sore. Important business meeting? Cold sore. Getting married? Cold sore. Every important moment can seem marred by the appearance of the stinging blisters. So, while it may seem as if this is a plague sent by an angry God – it is not. Think about what all of these types of events have in common. It is stress. One of the most common cold sore triggers is stress. Learning to identify triggers like this can help to avoid future outbreaks.

There is nothing wrong with people that get cold sores or with their hygiene.

Perfectly normal, healthy and clean people still get cold sores. This is more important for the people that never get the lesions to remember more than the actual sufferers. Cold sores are something that anyone is at risk of getting and it is really just a lottery pick about who actually does. Unfortunately, the prize in this lottery is a weeping sore and not a lifetime of soup.

They did not kiss the wrong person.

People love to use this as a way to shame people for their “naughty” behavior when a cold sore appears. No, they did not lock lips with the wrong person. Okay, they probably did at some point in their lives, but that is totally unrelated to the cold sore. The majority of people actually catch the virus in early childhood. So, maybe they did get it through a kiss from their mom and it is always right to let your mom give you a kiss.

Doctors help but there may be a better solution.

Prescription medications numb the pain and shave a couple days off the life of the cold sore. Some preventative treatments that are available without a prescription may stop the lesion from forming at all. The Inhibitor is a device that uses a small electrical charge to interrupt blemish growth and it has been an effective tool for many long term sufferers. In addition, balancing the diet, reducing stress and cutting sun exposure may also reduce the frequency of outbreaks.

Cold sores are contagious and people need to be cautious around infants during an outbreak.

Cold sores are contagious to everyone but babies are the most likely to become seriously ill from the virus. Holding the child (with clean hands only) is acceptable. Giving them a peck on the cheek is not. This same guideline is also true with people that do not have a healthy immune system.

10 Undeniable Reasons People Hate Cold Sores

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The dreaded cold sore is not just another blemish. It is a week-long (or longer) bit of misery. There are many reasons people want to spend their days hiding in bed when they are suffering from this common annoyance. Here are just a few of the ways cold sores make life a little less pleasant.

1. Cold sores are painful.

From the very first “tingle” to the tight, burning sensation as they crust over and heal up, a cold sore is a constant misery. During the lifespan of a cold sore every bite of salty or spicy food will find the lesion and the sufferer will unintentionally swipe over it too aggressively every time they wash their face. Even people that are excruciatingly careful to not touch their cold sore will manage to actually touch it a dozen times a day and make it start to burn and throb yet again.

2. The fear of infection.

Infection is rare, but it is a concern. If a cold sore becomes infected it will become larger, more painful and even less attractive. It will also mean a trip to the doctor and a dose of antibiotics.

3. Fear of the sores spreading.

Cold sores can multiply because the fluid in them is contagious. One sore is terrible, but a weakened immune system or a period of stress can cause one sore to become multiple sores and make the sufferer feel like a leper.

4. There is potential for scarring.

When left alone to heal naturally most cold sores will fade away and leave nothing behind. However, picking at the lesion or dealing with a bad outbreak that becomes infected will increase the risk of a scar.

5. Cold sores look terrible.

Cold sores are offensive even if they are small, not infected and tucked into the corner of the mouth. No one feels confidant and attractive during an outbreak. There is no effective way to cover the sore, and many attempts only draw even more attention.

6. People mistake it for an STD.

Yes, cold sores are a form of herpes, but they are caused by a completely different strain of the virus that causes the sexually transmitted disease. However, not everyone understands (or believes) this fact.

7. People avoid contact during outbreaks.

Cold sores are not dangerous. Yes, there are exceptions but those cases are rare and are limited to people who have immune systems that are severely compromised with other illnesses. Unfortunately, cold sores are very contagious and no one wants to take the chance of experiencing their own outbreak. The fact that an estimated 90 percent of the adult population is already carrying the virus in their system will do little to encourage people to feel comfortable when they are in close contact with someone with a cold sore.

8. Medications are often ineffective.

People spend a lot of money on prescriptions, OTC creams and homeopathic remedies that do very little to prevent their cold sores or make them go away. It is a shame because there are solutions, but many people continue to try the same old ineffective remedies over and over.

9. Chronic sufferers know another outbreak is always possible.

Some people are lucky enough to experience a cold sore only once in their life or one every few years. Many sufferers experience them regularly and often go through times when they have outbreaks that last weeks or longer without any relief.

10. Everyone stares.

Cold sores are impossible for anyone to ignore and the attention is often nerve wracking. Some will attempt to ignore the lesion through uncomfortable levels of direct eye contact. Others will not even try to ignore it. Insensitive individuals, friends trying to be funny or children will often point out the blemish. Some do this in an attempt to lighten the moment and make it seem less important. This attempt will always fail.

There is a solution:

If you suffer from cold sore outbreaks, consider trying the Cold Sore Inhibitor. The Inhibitor is an effective device that helps prevents cold sores from ever appearing when used properly. Read more info about the Cold Sore Inhibitor.

The Ultimate Cheat Sheet On Cold Sores

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Ultimate cheat sheet on cold sores
Tired of researching advice, facts and other miscellaneous information about cold sores every time one starts to appear? Well, stop wasting time by saving this page because this convenient guide will tell you everything you need to know. Here are the all of the details about avoiding the spread of outbreaks to yourself and others, how to stop cold sores in their tracks and how to potentially prevent future outbreaks.

Keeping it Private

Your mother probably taught you to share, but it is doubtful she meant your cold sores. The reality is that the majority of adults are already carriers of the virus that causes outbreaks. However, there is no point in exposing the few who are not affected to the virus unnecessarily or passing a potential cold sore on to someone else. You also do not want to risk spreading the sores to other parts of your body or face. Follow these instructions during your next outbreak to avoid these unhappy events.

  • Do not share towels, clothing or utensils and drink containers.
  • Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching your face.
  • Do not kiss or allow any skin to skin contact near the infected area.
  • Do not borrow or lend lip balm or cosmetic products.
  • Wash dishes in hot water with a tablespoon of bleach to sterilize.
  • Do not share pillows with partners or children.
  • Toss out toothbrushes, lipstick and lip balm after an outbreak.
  • Sterilize or replace makeup applicators.
  • Do not break open the blisters intentionally. Wash your face immediately if the blisters do break.

Stopping the Severity

Most people only want to rid their skin of the blemish as fast as possible once a cold sore appears. There are several ways to make this happen.

  • Prescription medications relieve the discomfort and may shorten the outbreak by two or three days.
  • OTC creams also shorten the duration of some sores and provide a minimal amount of camouflage to the blisters.
  • Applying ice directly to the cold sore can reduce swelling and redness.
  • Cold milk compresses may also help to reduce swelling.
  • Cold sore inhibitor devices are best when used before the cold sore appears, but they also reduce the lifespan of most sores.
  • Aloe Vera gel helps to keep the skin softer and takes aways some of the burning sensation.

Stopping the Outbreak

The best scenario is to not experience a cold sore. This is possible, but the results are never guaranteed. Some people will continue to have outbreaks regardless of how careful they are.

  • Eat healthy. A good diet keeps the immune system strong.
  • Add more Vitamin C and E to the diet. They improve skin health, increase antioxidants and reduce inflammation.
  • Drink milk. The L-lysine in milk fights against the herpes virus.
  • Protect the skin from the sun. Use sunscreen and purchase a lip balm with SPF protection.
  • Eat zinc-rich foods.
  • Use an inhibitor device as soon as the first tingle is noticed.

Be cautious of home “remedies” that promise to eliminate a cold sore in a day or less. Many involve opening the sore, burning the sore and applying caustic chemicals to the area where the blemish is located. All of these methods are painful, can lead to scarring and may cause the spread of the blisters.