Cold Sore Prevention Tips
Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are a very common viral infection. These blisters are actually clusters of blisters filled with fluid and are found on or around your lips. Cold sores can be transmitted easily through close contact, typically kissing. The virus that usually causes these is herpes simplex virus type 1 and less commonly herpes simplex virus type 2. Both of these viruses affect the mouth and genitals. They can be spread through oral sex, even if the blisters aren’t visible. There is no cure currently for cold sores, but there are treatments that can help them heal more quickly and ways to help prevent them in the first place: 1. Apply lip balm Because the lips and mouth are the locations where cold sores manifest, and sun is a direct cause of their outbreaks, applying UV protective lip balm is essential. The best way to deal with cold sores is to prevent them before they occur. They can cause scabbing and typically take around 10 days to clear. Applying protective balm and keeping the area moist where cold sores occur is one of the best ways for prevention. 2. Don’t share toothbrushes or personal items Let’s be honest here, cold sores or not.