Even during the winter, the sun can trigger an outbreak. Be sure to wear sunblock all year round. Tanning beds can also trigger outbreaks. If you’re sensitive to the sun, you’ll also be sensitive to the UV light used in tanning beds.
Increase the amount and variety of raw vegetables and fruit that you eat. In particular, consume broccoli, brussel sprouts and cabbage. These vegetables are high in indole-3-carbinol (I3C), which may interfere with the growth of the herpes virus. Other high I3C foods include watercress, kale, chard, and spinach. [2] X Research source Decrease the amount of processed meat products, saturated animal fats, white and refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, white flour, alcohol and caffeine that you consume. All of these are known to increase the frequency of cold sores. Avoid foods that have a high amount of arginine. Arginine is an amino acid that serves as a building block for cold sores. Foods high in arginine include chocolate, nuts, seeds, oats, beer and most protein shakes. Avoiding spicy or acidic foods may help prevent or reduce cold sore outbreaks in some people.
Apples, red grapes, cherries, berries, broccoli, and capers for quercetin. Nuts, seeds, cheese, and yogurt for lysine. Peppers, citrus, greens (like chard or spinach), and berries for vitamin C. Sunflower seeds, greens (like chard or spinach), avocado, nuts, and olive oil for vitamin E. Shellfish, beef, fortified cereals, pumpkin seeds, and garlic for zinc.
Get plenty of sleep. Pulling all-nighters and rushing around all day takes a toll. Do your best to adhere to a sleep schedule that allows you to get seven to eight hours of sleep, so you feel well-rested. Exercise regularly. Exercising is a good stress reliever that can help you calm down during anxious times. It also tires you out in a healthy way so you can sleep better at night.
The best way to keep yourself from getting sick is by washing your hands regularly using soap and warm water. Take special care when you spend time in a public setting, such as the subway or train station. Getting a flu shot can also protect you from several of the most common strains of flu virus. As soon as you start feeling a cold coming on, make sure you’re well hydrated and try to get some rest. Avoid staying up to late and drinking alcohol. Sometimes you can stop a cold from taking hold if you catch it soon enough. [4] X Research source
Pay attention to tingling sensations or pain on your lips. The majority of sufferers report a “funny feeling” in the area a few days before the sore develops. If you get a sore throat, swollen glands and fever, you may be about to get a cold sore. Some people experience an increased amount of saliva or drooling before a cold sore forms.
Lemon balm cream is available in drugstores. If you grow your own lemon balm, try rubbing a fresh leaf over the area. Lemon balm has also been shown to help cold sore outbreaks go away faster. It is safe to apply to open sores.
Docosanol (Abreva): This is available over-the-counter. Apply according to the instructions on the packaging. Penciclovir (Denavir): This cream is available by prescription only. See a doctor to for a prescription and instructions on how to use it. The typical dosage is a 1% cream applied once every two hours while you are awake, over the course of four days. Acyclovir: This is another prescription cream, typically given at a 5% concentration and used five times a day for four days.
Acyclovir (Zovirax), usually taken three times a day for7-10 days. Famciclovir (Famvir), usually taken 2-3 times a day for 7-10 days. Valacyclovir (Valtrex), usually taken twice a day for 7-19 days.
They prevent you from eating and drinking They don’t heal after two or more weeks New outbreaks occur almost continuously
