Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and they can come back. The good news: many outbreaks are preventable or milder when you act fast. Here are simple, practical steps you can use every day.
Know your triggers. Common triggers are sun exposure, stress, lack of sleep, illness, and hormonal changes. Keep a short note of what happened before an outbreak — a day at the beach, a sleepless week, or a cold — and avoid repeat exposures.
Protect your lips from sunlight. UV rays are one of the top triggers. Use a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher whenever you expect sun. Reapply often, especially after swimming or sweating.
Practice smart hygiene. Avoid touching the sore. If you do touch it, wash your hands right away. Don’t share cups, utensils, towels, or lip products with others while sores are active. Kissing someone or oral sex can spread the virus — skip intimate contact until the sore is fully healed.
Start treatment at the first tingle. Many people feel tingling, burning, or itching before a blister appears. Apply a topical antiviral cream like docosanol 10% as soon as you notice these signs. If you get frequent or severe outbreaks, talk to your doctor about a short oral antiviral course (like acyclovir or valacyclovir) started at the first sign. Early treatment shortens the episode.
Medical Options
Talk to your doctor about suppressive therapy. If you get outbreaks more than six times a year, daily prescription antiviral therapy can cut frequency and reduce transmission risk. Your provider will decide what’s right based on your health and history.
Support your immune system. Simple habits make a big difference: get enough sleep, eat balanced meals, manage stress, exercise regularly, and don’t smoke. Supplements such as vitamin C and zinc can help some people, but check with a healthcare professional before starting anything new.
Use cold compresses and pain relief. If a sore starts anyway, applying a cool, damp cloth can ease pain and swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen work well for discomfort. Avoid popping blisters.
Be cautious in special situations. Pregnant people, newborns, and immunocompromised people face higher risks from herpes infections. If you fall into any of these groups or you’re unsure, see a healthcare provider right away for tailored advice.
Keep everyday items clean. Replace old lip balm and toothbrushes after an outbreak heals. Clean surfaces that may have touched the sore. Small steps reduce the chance of re-infection and spread.
Also, tell sexual partners about your history. Using barrier methods reduces spread but doesn't eliminate it. Testing for HSV can clarify status and guide choices on suppressive therapy and safe intimacy planning.
If outbreaks become worse or change in pattern, get checked. A doctor can test and recommend treatment changes, or screen for other conditions that weaken the immune system.
Follow these steps and you’ll cut most outbreaks and make the rest shorter and less painful.
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