How Can I Prevent Cold Sore Outbreaks?

There are a few different things you can do to prevent cold sore outbreaks, which are also occasionally referred to as fever blisters. If you are prone to cold sores, you can try protecting your lips from the sun and wind, taking vitamins regularly and avoiding stress. Even though these tips might help, they are not guaranteed for preventing cold sore outbreaks. If you try these suggestions and find that you are still developing fever blisters fairly regularly, you should see your doctor for some prescription medicine to keep your sores at bay the majority of the time.

Excessive exposure to the elements can cause cold sore outbreaks. This is particularly true during times of extreme weather. You can use a lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher on your lips before going outside, to reduce your chances of developing fever blisters as a result of exposure to the elements. It's a good idea to do this in the winter as well as in the summer, because cool air can be just as hard on your lips as hot sun.

You might be less likely to develop cold sores if you are getting enough vitamins and minerals and your diet is fairly healthy overall. If you suspect that you don't eat right some of the time, you most likely should be taking a daily multi-vitamin to help compensate for any vitamins that your body lacks. Vitamins that help improve your immune system are best, so if you don't take a multivitamin, you might consider taking a vitamin B or E supplement. Vitamins B and E are both considered useful for increasing immunity.

It's not uncommon for people to notice an increase in their cold sore outbreaks during times of extreme stress. You can combat the outbreaks you experience by doing what you can to lower your stress levels. If you know for a fact that your stress levels are high, you should make a real effort to take time out for yourself each day to do something you enjoy. Try to put your worries behind you for at least an hour every day, and you might start noticing that your cold sores are flaring up less frequently.

If your cold sore outbreaks seem out of control, you should not put off seeing your doctor. There are some medicines that can be prescribed to help reduce your flare-ups. Most of the medicines prescribed for this purpose are anti-viral because fever blisters are manifestations of the herpes simplex virus in your system. In addition to anti-viral drugs, your doctor can also prescribe medicine to help relieve your cold sore symptoms and possibly shorten their duration.