You feel the tingling at the edge of your lip and you know what’s coming: a dreaded cold sore. You can’t entirely prevent cold sores — and there is no cure — but you can rely on a healthy lifestyle and natural remedies to treat them.
You feel the tingling at the edge of your lip and you know what’s coming: a dreaded cold sore. You can’t entirely prevent cold sores — and there is no cure — but you can rely on a healthy lifestyle and natural remedies to treat them.
What is a cold sore?
Also called fever blisters, cold sores are a group of blisters that form around the mouth and lips. They typically start with a tingling, numb or even painful feeling on your lip. A small bump will appear and swell, forming a cluster of blisters. The blisters pop and scab over. The process takes about two weeks from tingle to healing.
What causes cold sores?
Cold sores are fluid-filled lesions caused by the herpes simplex virus. Once you have the virus, it stays in your body for the rest of your life. It can be triggered by fatigue, illness, stress, pregnancy, exposure to heat, dental work, or local skin irritation. Some people have the virus and never have cold sores while others have recurrent breakouts.
How to prevent cold sores
The healthier you are, the better you can fend off a cold sore occurrence. You already follow a healthy vegan diet, but be sure to add regular (not excessive) exercise to your daily routine, take a multi-vitamin to safeguard yourself against nutritional deficiencies, get adequate sleep, manage your stress, and use sunscreen to protect your skin.
Be warned that cold sores are easily spread. Avoid touching your cold sore and spreading the virus by touching your mate or child. Wash your hands frequently, don’t share utensils, and avoid kissing others until your cold sore has healed.
If you’re into natural remedies, consider getting a natural cold sore treatment. We like the Cold Sores Begone, a natural product, with a hint of mint flavor, made of lemon balm extract, echinacea, golden seal root, and aloe vera. Apply it as soon as you feel the tingling and then reapply daily. It isn’t a cure for cold sores but it can give you comfort and hasten the healing process.
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