In this article, I’m going to teach you how to prevent cold sores. For almost two decades of my life, I would get frequent cold sore outbreaks on my lips.
This destroyed my self esteem, and led to me avoiding relationships with women for quite some time.
To make a long story short…
I did something about it.
After years and years of feeling helpless to prevent cold sore outbreaks, I completely changed my life.
I studied how to prevent cold sores, and I created a bunch of new, healthy habits that have allowed me to be cold-sore-free for over three years now.
This article is a culmination of everything I’ve learned over the years. If you follow the steps I’ve outlined, you should be able to reduce the frequency, or even completely eliminate cold sore outbreaks.
So, without further ado, I now present with you with my effective and natural Cold Sore Prevention Plan.
How To Prevent Cold Sores – Study the Enemy
The first step in preventing cold sores is to know what you’re up against. When boxers have upcoming fights with opponents, they study recordings of their opponent’s past fights.
Why do they do this?
For the same reason that football and other sports teams study game films of their opponents.
To find weaknesses.
If you’re going to beat an opponent in any area of life, you have to find out what you’re up against, study it, and come up with a strategic plan on how to win the challenge.
Thus, to effectively learn how to prevent cold sores, you must first study them, find out their weaknesses, and then you’ll be better equipped to defeat them.
How To Prevent Cold Sores – Overview on HSV
Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are groups of small blisters that form on or near the lips. Cold sores are a result of something called herpes simplex virus (HSV).
There are two types of HSV, and both can cause cold sores. HSV-1 typically is responsible for cold sores, and HSV-2 is most often the cause of genital herpes.
However, both types of HSV can cause cold sores or genital herpes.
After primary infection, the virus resides in the associated dorsal root ganglion where it lies dormant until an external stimulus (such as stress or immunosuppression) initiate reactivation of the virus from dormancy.
The virus lives on forever, and that’s why people continue to get cold sores over and over again. There is no cure, but with the right lifestyle changes, you can drastically reduce, or even completely eliminate cold sore outbreaks.
How To Prevent Cold Sores – HSV Weaknesses
After studying the cold sore virus for many years, I have found a list of weaknesses that can be used to prevent cold sores.
Here are the main weaknesses:
- Weakness #1 – Lysine
- Weakness #2 – Whole Food Diet
- Weakness #3 – Healthy Immune System
- Weakness #4 – Low-Stress Levels
If you focus on preventing cold sores by paying attention to the four weaknesses mentioned above, you’ll be able to achieve extraordinary results.
How To Prevent Cold Sores – Weakness #1: Lysine
One of the most powerful methods for preventing cold sores is to have high amounts of L-lysine in your body. L-lysine is an essential amino acid. This means that we need the nutrient for human health, but our bodies cannot manufacture it.
As a result, L-lysine must be obtained from either food, supplementation, or both.
Here is a list of lysine-rich foods:
- Chicken
- Fish
- Red meat
- Pork
- Turkey
- Cheese
- Milk
- Eggs
- Legumes
Click here to see a list of the foods with the highest L-lysine content.
Why is L-lysine so important for preventing cold sores?
In 1981, Christopher Kagan, M.D., discovered that if he isolated HSV in a petri dish, and added the amino acid L-arginine, the virus would multiply.
However, when he added L-lysine, the virus’s ability to multiply became inhibited.
He realized the virus becomes inhibited because lysine blocks the bioavailability of arginine, which prevents the virus from replicating.
In simple terms, the virus that causes cold sores has a very difficult time replicating when there are high levels of lysine and low levels of arginine in the body.
Here is a list of foods that have high arginine/low lysine:
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Chocolate
- Whole grains
- Oats
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study concluded that “Lysine appears to be an effective agent for reduction of occurrence, severity and healing time for recurrent HSV infection.”
In the study, the cold sore treatment group was given 1,000 mg L-lysine tablets three times a day for a six-month period.
In another study, researchers found that “oral ingestion of 1,248 mg a day of L-Lysine monohydrochloride shows evidence of decreasing the recurrence rate of herpes simplex attacks in nonimmunocompromised hosts.”
How to prevent cold sores using lysine: To prevent cold sores, start taking 1,000 mg of Solgar L-lysine three times a day. Reduce your consumption of foods on the high/arginine – low/lysine list, and increase your consumption of foods which are high in lysine.
How To Prevent Cold Sores – Weakness #2: Whole Food Diet
One reason people with the cold sore virus get outbreaks is due to eating an abundance of processed and refined foods.
The cold sore virus thrives on the following:
- Processed foods
- Refined flour
- Refined sugar
Things like soda, white bread, crackers, chips, cookies, microwave dinners, white pasta, and other refined and processed foods create an internal environment that supports the cold sore virus.
If you really want to know how to prevent cold sores, one of the best things you can do is switch to an organic whole food diet.
An organic whole food diet staves off the cold sores virus and is, in fact, one of the top four cold sore weaknesses. The Cold Sore Diet is extraordinary for preventing cold sores.
Focus on eating the following to prevent cold sores:
- Organic whole foods
- Free range meat, dairy, and eggs
- Wild caught seafood
- Plenty of fruits and veggies
- Healthy Fats
- Plenty of water (spring and/or alkaline)
Note: Depending on your own unique biochemistry, you may also benefit from foods such as legumes, nuts, seeds, and grains. However, everyone is different. The important part is that you focus on organic whole foods, and drastically reduce processed foods, refined foods, and sugar.
How To Prevent Cold Sores – Weakness #3: Healthy Immune System
One of the top cold sore triggers is having a compromised immune system. If you want to start preventing cold sores, you’ll need to focus on enhancing the health of your immune system.
When the immune system is experiencing peak vitality and efficacy, this is typically able to fend off the herpes simplex virus from coming out of dormancy.
When the immune system is functioning low below the optimal level, the herpes simplex virus is more prone to “waking up,” coming out of dormancy and becoming “active,” thus causing a cold sore outbreak.
Herpes Simplex Virus
One of the main reasons people get cold sore outbreaks is because of a compromised immune system.
Herpes simplex lesions are referred to as “cold sores” and “fever blisters” because people are more susceptible to outbreaks when they have a cold or flu virus (compromised immune function).
Here are ways to keep your immune system strong and healthy:
- Nutrition
- Hydration
- Supplementation
- Exercise
- Adequate levels of sleep and rest
- Healthy stress management
- Having a balance of work and rejuvenation
- Healthy relationships
- Laughter
- Spend time in nature
How To Prevent Cold Sores – Weakness #4: Low-Stress Levels
Perhaps the top cold sore trigger there is, stress has been responsible for easily more than half of my cold sore outbreaks.
If you want to know how to prevent cold sores, do yourself a favor and work on reducing the amount of stress in your life. Have you noticed that cold sores appear during stressful periods of life? Or perhaps they come when you’re sad or even angry?
These psychological states can trigger cold sores with a high frequency.
Low-stress levels make it more difficult for the herpes simplex virus to wake up out of dormancy and create a cold sore lesion.
Things that can help prevent stress are:
- Exercise
- Meditation
- Taichi
- Qigong
- Epsom salt baths
- Biofeedback
- Journaling
- Working a job or running a business that you enjoy
- Healthy relationships
- Quality time with friends
- Personal development books, audios, DVD’s, and seminars
- Hugs
How To Prevent Cold Sores – What to Avoid
Now that we’ve covered the four main weaknesses of the herpes simplex virus, I want to provide you with a comprehensive list of things to avoid to help you prevent cold sores.
Avoid the following to prevent cold sores:
- Creatine, l-citrulline, l-arginine (these 3 are commonly found in pre-workout powders to provide a “muscle pump”)
- Toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulfate
- Stress
- Immunosuppression
- Refined foods
- Processed foods
- Fried foods
- Tomatoes
- Large amounts of Asian ginseng (small amounts are good)
- Sugar, coffee, soda
- Foods with a high/arginine – low/lysine ratio
- Not getting enough sleep and rest
- Sharing utensils, drinks, or other objects with people that have a cold sore outbreak
- Too much sex (can deplete you and lower immune system)
Another major contributor to cold sores deserves its own section. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation – that is – exposure to the sun, can trigger cold sore flare-ups.
UV strength is determined by:
- How close you are to the equator
- Cloud cover
- Elevation
Small amounts of UV radiation are healthy and necessary for humans to create vitamin D, however, being overexposed to UV radiation can compromise your immune system and can trigger cold sores.
When I used to go surfing all the time here in sunny Southern California, I would get cold sores like crazy.
TOO MUCH SUN is just not good when you are prone to cold sores.
Snowboarding and skiing on sunny days can trigger cold sores as well.
Here are some preventative measures to take:
- Try to avoid being outside between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm. This is when the UV radiation is strongest
- Apply lip balm with an SPF of at least 15 and a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher when spending more than 15 minutes outside during peak UV hours
- Take 1,000 mg of vitamin C in three divided doses throughout the day
- Wear a hat outdoors
How To Prevent Cold Sores – What to Do
Okay, now that we’ve covered the “don’ts,” lets talk about some of the most beneficial “do’s” for preventing cold sores.
To prevent cold sores, do the following:
- Eat a primarily organic whole food diet
- Drink half your body weight in ounces of water per day
- Most of the time, go to sleep between 9-10:30 pm and sleep for at least 8 hours
- Exercise on a regular basis
- Write in a journal
- Use stress reduction techniques such as biofeedback, meditation, yoga, tai chi, or qigong
Along with these cold sore prevention techniques, if you truly want to know how to prevent cold sores in the most effective way possible, you need to learn about supplements. This is so important that I’ve created an entire section on it.
How To Prevent Cold Sores – Supplements
If you are 100% serious about learning how to prevent cold sores, then you’ll want to pay close attention to the information I’m about to share with you.
When it comes to preventing cold sores with supplements, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND taking the Triangle of Health, which can SUPERCHARGE your immune system and prevent the herpes simplex virus from “waking up” and causing a cold sores outbreak.
I never get cold sores anymore since my famous Herbalist father John Finch showed me this stuff and I began using it. We haven’t found a better product for boosting immunity and reducing stress.
Learn How these 3 Supplements Work to BOOST your Immune System and Fight off Herpes Simplex Virus>>
How To Prevent Cold Sores – Conclusion
Now that you know how to prevent cold sores, I encourage you to follow this Cold Sore Prevention Plan. If you follow these guidelines, you will experience less cold sore outbreaks, and you may even prevent all future cold sores.
I haven’t had a cold sore in over three years now.
My success at preventing cold sores is related to my lifestyle. In the past, I had a terrible diet, a compromised immune system, lots of stress, and I was in the sun a lot.
Nowadays, I eat healthily, exercise, take the right supplements, limit my sun exposure, and focus on stress prevention and life balance.
Do yourself a favor and start implementing these lifestyle changes right away. I know you have the power to prevent cold sores if you follow this effective and natural plan.
If you have any comments or questions on how to prevent cold sores, please post them in the comment box below.
Vinay says
This is probably the most helpful article I’ve read. I got to this article from your neosporin one and both were phenomenal. I am going to start living like this and hopefully it’s works out for me too!
Matt says
Hi Vinay,
I’m SO HAPPY to hear this cold sore prevention plan was of value to you!!! Not only should living like this help prevent cold sores, but it will help in many other areas as well. Good for you and I wish you the absolute best!
Anne says
Thank you for this article.
I like to know though what you suggest to Vegetarians or Vegans in regards to what food to eat.
The Lysine-rich foods to eat are all for meat-based diets, plus the list of foods to avoid is basically some of the most essentials as substitute for meats.
Looking forward to your input. ????
Matt says
Hi Anne,
I hear you loud and clear. Luckily, the lysine-rich method is not necessary, making it easy to prevent cold sores for vegans and vegetarians as well.
The main thing you want to focus on is eating organic whole foods, and plenty of fruits and veggies. An alkaline diet can really help to prevent cold sores. So focusing on consuming lots of cleansing foods and immune-boosting foods will be more than enough help, allowing you to not have to focus on eating a lysine-rich diet.
Also, you could always just take a lysine supplement too. Focus on eating healthily overall, while avoiding large amounts of the trigger foods, and make sure you keep your immune system STRONG, while reducing stress levels, and you can prevent cold sores from ever manifesting on your face.
If you have any other questions, either now or down the road, I’m here for you Anne. ????
Ali says
Hi,
Thanks – great article.
I have been having recurring outbreaks of cold sores. It is usually once in 3 months but this time I just had one 2 weeks ago and here I am again. My doctor prescribed 500mg of valtrex twice daily for 3 days. Is that enough. A few years ago another doctor prescribed it for same dosage but for 7 days. I read here that it should be 2g twice for a day. I am all confused now. Can you help.
Regards,
Matt says
Hi Ali,
I’m glad you found the article helpful. I wrote an article on How To Use Valtrex For Cold Sores that you’ll enjoy reading. In it, I write that the normal Valtrex dosage for recurring cold sores is 500 mg 2x daily for three days.
Studies have shown that to be very effective. Click here to read my Valtrex article to learn more.
Elsa says
Im 47 and I just started getting cold soars about 2 years ago and I get one maybe once a year. They hurt and are embarrassing…
I loved your article, I will be following it. It just makes sense. Thank you
Matt says
Hi Elsa,
I’m so sorry you’re getting cold sore outbreaks. They are very embarrassing and I wish nobody ever had them. What an awful virus. I’m very glad that you loved this article and I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. I’m wishing you all the happiness in the world…as well as a life free of cold sore outbreaks. Take care. ????
Debra Fiore says
Origin of virus herpes 1 my mom was having my brother in hospital back in 1959 she obtained the virus there they gave her a mask when she awoke it was all over her top lip. I had to get it from mom kissing me my first out break was November 1979 I was 15. Next outbreak was June of 1980. I started taking the sun for an hour everyday it stopped the breakouts from coming I went from 1980 to my next breakout November 1997 17 years without a breakout, I got that breakout I stopped taking the sun for an hour everyday. Now I get a breakout every 5 years and I really don’t do anything special I’ll list my breakouts
I always get it on the bottom lip and always in November here we go November 1979 June 1980 November 1997 November 2002 November 2007 November 2012 November 2017. I don’t do anything special I do lift weights and I limit my sugar intake bc sugar causes hot flashes once you go threw menopause for I’m 53 yrs old and I’m 5’ tall weight 92lbs always was thin and petite I gained 3 lbs since I’m 16 years old. Cut soda immediately from diet I haven’t had any sugary drinks since I’m a kid.
Matt says
What an awesome story! Thank you for sharing this Debra. ???? You really have a sharp memory.
Jeff says
Matt and Debra,
I usually have a breakout, or feel the signs of a breakout in November. I also notice when others are experiencing Herpes breakouts. I believe it to be more than a coincidence that many in my part of the country experience these breakouts at approximately the same time of year. I believe there is a common cause. Allergies? Seasonal viruses that weaken the immune system? I don’t have the answers. We know that Google can reasonably predict the spread of flu by examining search data. It would be interesting to see if there were similar results for searches for Herpes cures.
Matt says
A very interesting topic of discussion, Jeff. There could be something there. Thanks for sharing this.
Marisa says
Loved this article. Do you know if my 11 year old can take the immune support supplement?
Matt says
Awe glad you loved it, Marisa! And yes, 11-year-olds can take Immune Support. In fact, they typically do really well taking stuff like this.
Paul S. says
At 25 years of age, I’ve been dealing with this virus for almost 20 years. Needless to say I’ve done my fair share of preventative measure research. Every time one comes around I find myself looking online for new tips or information, usually nothing new or informative pops up. I was surprised to see your recent articles and how knowledgeable you are on the subject! I just wanted to say you are doing a great service by keeping all of the information you have found in one place and being so active with your responses to questions/comments. Very thankful I found your site and I plan to check back to see when you figure out how to cure this stupid virus for good!
Matt says
Hi Paul,
It’s so nice to meet you and I loved reading your feedback. Very nice of you to say, and I do feel like one day I might find the cure. I’m on the hunt that’s for sure! Nobody should have to endure this awful virus causing gross cold sore outbreaks. Take care. ????
Monica says
Hi.
I am 22 and started getting cold sores when I was about 17, once a year. In the past year, they’ve been more frequent. Once every month or so. I’ve always felt so dirty, and I just didn’t understand. I’ve only been with one man, in ever aspect, in my entire life. I never understood how I contract this virus. (My husband doesn’t get cold sores).
However, I am very happy to know that there are ways to prevent/control outbreaks.
Thank you for this article. Hopefully incorporating these tactics into my everyday life will help me to heal as well.
Matt says
A lot of times, unfortunately, parents will kiss their babies lips when they have a cold sore and that is how most people contract it. Or even from sharing a drink or something like that with someone. It’s an awful virus. These methods should help you prevent them. I haven’t had a cold sore in over 4 years once I learned the main things that were causing me outbreaks and how to avoid them. Glad you are happy to learn about these methods and I’m sure they will help you tremendously. ????
Kat says
Hi Matt,
I just contracted the herpes virus this pass summer from sharing food with a friend who had an open wound. After the initial outbreak which lasted over 6-9 weeks, I’ve been getting them on and off every other week. I’m still trying to figure out what is causing them and what could help me personally to prevent them but to no avail. In the middle of winter I took a vacation from work out of state (from a cold place to a less but still cold place) and throughout my 20 day vacation I didn’t have one breakout! Even though the 20 hour drive from my place to my vacation spot made me fatigued, I still didn’t have an outbreak then! But when coming back is when I started having outbreaks like I’ve been having before but my biggest issue is that my cold sores never go through a complete cycle after my initial outbreak. They would itch and tingle the first stage, become open wounds with no fluids coming out (sort of like small tiny holes on my lip) and would stay that way until they just disappear after a week or two then show right back up 5-7 days later. Could you help explain why they do that? I tried my best looking for answers and I couldn’t find any in relation to my cold sores not going through a full cycle. Any help would be appreciated, thank you so much in advance and I apologise for the long question.
Matt says
It could be a certain food that is triggering them, or it could be many things. And I’m not sure why your cold sores don’t go through the traditional full cycle. You may benefit from seeing a dermatologist about this. And study my articles as there are plenty that can help.
Jeremy says
At 40 years old, I believe I’ve contracted this virus by kissing someone on a date who had the virus (but no visible cold sores). I had about a week of sore gums and sores inside my mouth about a month ago and today, had a sore inside my lip and one on the lower left of my lips. It was small, but definitely something I’ve never seen before. I was pretty sure I had this from my research, and now I’m 100% certain. I’m going to focus on your guide here and continuing to live my life, thanks for putting it out there.
Matt says
Hi Jeremy,
That’s the right mindset you have. Just live a healthy life and follow these tips and you can prevent cold sores forever. It’s my pleasure to put this information out there for people to learn. Take care, Jeremy.
Donna Davis says
I have heard taking zinc can help with this problem as well.
Matt says
It does help a lot. That’s one of the reasons I recommended the supplement Immune Support in the article. It contains an abundance of zinc along with many other cold sore prevention nutrients.
Low zinc can cause low immunity and many people are low in this important mineral. Unless you’re eating oysters or lots of pumpkin seeds on a regular basis, you’re probably not getting enough zinc and thus can get recurring cold sores. Immune Support is the best because it contains zinc and so many other nutrients that work synergistically with the zinc to prevent cold sores.
Alannah says
Hello!
I stumbled across your article on the Herpecin L lip balm for cold sores when I saw Your how to prevent cold sores which was Extremely helpful and full of information. About 6 months back, I was scheduled to get my wisdom teeth pulled out when I had a Full blown anxiety attack, probably The worst I have ever had. About a month after I had my very first outbreak, it was Bad. Both my top and bottom lip swelled up so bad and I had these tiny blisters all over them. Incredibly painful to the point where I couldn’t even open my mouth to eat. It lasted for about a month when I finally went to go see a dermatologist and she gave me an ointment which did help. I was told that it was Dermatitis since I do have incredibly dry skin, it made sense. But I keep getting breakouts, far too frequently. My lips are Always dry, peeling and sometimes I’ll get this red lump on my bottom left lip that swells up like a tomato but yet goes away within 15-25 minutes? I will admit, I don’t have the healthiest diet, and I do stress out.. a lot. Probably more than what the average person would in a whole lifetime. My outbreaks are mild and I really don’t feel any discomfort except for the extremely dry lips and feeling the little throbbing from time to time but it’s frustrating having these breakouts every 2-3 weeks.
Thank you for this Very well written article and sharing your tips and tricks with us! I will definitely be trying out everything you shared with us in the hopes of preventing any future breakouts ! Let’s us know when you find a cure!
Matt says
Hello Alannah! Nice to meet you. And I’m really glad to read that the info and tips in this article has helped you! I’m also stoked for you that your outbreaks are mild. That makes it so much easier to deal with. Always look on the bright side of things right?! I love your attitude and I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share a bit about your story and provide feedback of the content. Keep checking this site from time to time as I know I will find a cure. It’s just a matter of time. Take care!
Savanna Geals says
Ok, this article is spectacular! I had my first outbreak of a cold sore in Elementary school at a camp, I had no clue what it was, or why it showed up, a few years later like a lot of years maybe when I was 16, I had another cold sore, at this point I’m aware of my body and awake to a little knowledge on HSV so I started using Carmex which I thought helped because it would burn a little (you know like alcohol on a wound) but it just wasn’t super intense. Anyway, fast forward to now I have a cold sore on my lip (bottom right) it has been swollen for a few days and now the blisters are forming. I recently used Abreva, and to be honest I can’t say if it works because I caught the outbreak a little after it began to form, although it seems like it wants to heal! I want you to know that I thank you for this article and I will be trying a few of these remedies you’ve mentioned. In addition to this, I’m pregnant with my first child so there are something’s my OBGYN has wrote off. I don’t really get outbreaks though, from elementary to now I have had at least 5 at most outbreaks. I’m trying your method because these things are unsightly and painful ????.
God bless!
Keep up the good work!
Matt says
Hi Savanna!!! Glad you enjoyed this article! Yes, the cold sores are painful and embarrassing and they must be prevented! What a nuisance to have a cold sore pop up and interfere with life. Congrats on your pregnancy and enjoy trying out whichever methods in this article are OBGYN-approved. Thanks so much for your feedback!!! ???? Take care.
Elizabeth says
Hi Matt,
What do you recommend instead of the Immune Support supplement now that they’ve closed? Very sad to see I can no longer continue ordering the product.
Thanks!
Matt says
Hi! It’s luckily still available on this website here!
MJ says
Your article has been extremely helpful. I recently tested positive for HSV-1, but have the cold sores on my neck. This was my first outbreak and has been extremely painful and irritating for two weeks now. I am hoping that the next outbreak (fingers crossed I can prevent it) won’t be as significantly bad as this one.
I was wondering if you have any recommendations or suggestions for treatment and/or prevention methods for sores solely on the neck? Also, have you used any essential oils, such as tea tree oil? Thank you!
Jeremy Noel Johnson says
I also recently tested positive for HSV-1 at 40 years old… How old are you by chance? I’ve used Tea Tree Oil and taken L-Lysine supplements so far, but I think the first year you get the virus it is more active.
Hannah Davies says
I’ve been having cold sores for 30 years ???? First time was when I was 8.
I have one now which prompted me to research again.
Definitely linked to eating right as I went for long spells without them.
Now I’ve not been eating great and my body has responded with a cold sore backing up the fact that you eat good and you feel good. Eat poorly and you get an outbreak. Thanks for your advice
Ariel says
Can you take immune system supplement along with a woman’s daily multivitamin and fish oil vitamins together on a regular basis? And also what if I’m vegan.. would you recommend taking lysin supplements everyday or just avoid certain foods?
June says
Hi Matt,
I was trying to find more info on reducing redness and preventing scars. I recently have a cold sore that is above my lip on the skin area, the scab just came off and that area is red and inflamed. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I only used abreva for early stages until the scab fell off.
Chelsea says
I want to add a good way to prevent and treat for all to know. Lemon Balm Oil!!!! It cuts the time in half at least and if applied at the first sign it doesn’t even develop. You can take it orally daily as well as a prevatative which I haven’t tried yet but am starting today. I basically follow all these tips except for the stress and I don’t think I drink enough. So I do get them still. The lemon balm has helped. Best part of lemon balm is that the virus can’t become immune to it, as I heard it can adapt. Tea tree oil used to work for me and doesn’t anymore. So reading that lemon balm is different was great to hear.
Laura says
Thanks for your site. I have been getting cold sores since I was a kid. They were REALLY bad and I have at least one very embarrassing photo. Abreva wasn’t a thing yet. In college I discovered Abreva and it’s very effective in preventing cold sores for me when I feel the tingle. Not always though. Sometimes I get one and nothing will prevent or heal it. Often this happens when my period starts (hormonal shift), other times it happens when I’m stressed or have some trauma to the lips (rough kissing, accidentally hitting it when trying to put on makeup or whatnot). I can’t always control the stress in my life unfortunately. And hormones… there’s really not much for me to do there.
I feel so much shame and embarrassment when I have a cold sore. I care less about people I work with or in public. But my boyfriend is bothered by the fact that I get cold sores even though he had them as a kid. I don’t want to see him and just want to be alone until they’re healed. However because we are short-long distance (aka see each other only weekends), we can’t always do that and we need to see each other to maintain a relationship. I feel a complete lack of self esteem when I have one for this reason. I feel like it affects our intimacy for weeks. Luckily my preventive measures help me not to get them TOO often, but it happens at least once every 2-3 months and it just crushes me.
I do keep lysine on hand and take it often but maybe I should up it to 3x per day consistently. I’m pretty healthy and get enough sleep. I have Valacyclivor. Peppermint, tea tree oil, plenty of water. Abreva.
The issue seems to be that the virus dies pretty fast, but the healing stage takes forever for me. It just seems to drag out! I have permanent discoloration on my lip where the skin is “new” every time I get a cold sore.
I know that some things can be triggers but it’s very confusing and frustrating because none of those things are consistently triggers. It seems like a game of chance.
I feel very depressed and anxious right now because I have a cold sore that isn’t healing quickly, despite all my best efforts, and I’m seeing my boyfriend in two days.
I really appreciated your post about the psychological side effects of cold sores. It rang true.
Steph says
I have had cold sores for the last 5 years and each time it gets worse and worse. It first started with just my lips but since last year, when I am about to have an outbreak, my whole face is blotched with swelling, itching and burning patches. I have done so much research on cold sores, I do not know what else to try to help alleviate my pain, discomfort and self-esteem.
From what I’ve noticed, my outbreaks start when I am having hormonal changes (menstruating) during the summer months. A combination of the sun and the hormones throws my body out of wack. It is beyond embarrassing.
Currently am having an outbreak which has left me with horrible bruises on my lips. I have used tea tree oil, peppermint oil, hydrogen peroxide, blistex medicated ointment, aloe vera, lysine in both cream and supplement. Nothing has availed my pain and discomfort.
I would really like some advice.
-Steph
Matt says
Prevention is the key. I would recommend trying the ideas in this article, one of which is staying out of the sun. The hormones can be treated as well, but it often involves the use of drugs to prevent menstrual cycles.