Well, wouldn’t you know it?  Tomorrow, you have an important business presentation in the boardroom at your office.  You will be meeting several potential new clients.  You can’t believe that Mount St. Helens is erupting on your lips!!!

This morning you woke up with a tingly sensation on your lip and now it has turned into a painful cluster of blisters. Cold sores are small, painful, fluid filled blisters that are caused by the herpes simplex virus 1.

Once you are exposed to this virus and infected with the herpes virus you are infected for life. Exposure to HSV-1 and the infection commonly occurs in childhood. The virus enters the body through a break in the skin in and around the mouth area. It can spread if someone touches the cold sore or the infected fluid.

Herpes viruses lie dormant in certain nerve cells of the body until something like stress, strain, a cold or excessive exposure to sun causes them to manifest. In the case of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 it shows up on the lips and the sores will last anywhere from seven to fourteen days.

There are no cures for cold sores, however, treatment for cold sores will help decrease the discomfort.

1. Try using a wet teabag (black tea)  and apply for a few minutes as soon as you feel the tingling. If applied soon enough it may prevent a cold sore from forming or help reduce its size.
2. Apply ice on it to slow the growth of the virus. This lessens the severity of the outbreak. Wrap the ice in a wet towel and apply to sore for five to ten minutes every hour.
3. Apply moisturizing ointments which have antiviral agents and analgesics in them.  Try lemon balm, phenolic acid, salicylic acid or benzocaine. Treatment for cold sores with these products will lessen the pain and the severity of the cold sore.
4. One study showed that zinc oxide cream reduced the duration of an outbreak
5. As Sun exposure can trigger outbreaks you will want to prevent cold sores by using a lip balm with SPF 15 and reapply every hour.
6. Cold, windy weather is also a trigger so be sure to bundle up and protect your mouth with a scarf or ski mask.
7. Avoid salty or acidic foods as these can irritate the cold sore and add to the pain.

Cold sores are very contagious so while you have a cold sore avoid kissing, sharing cups, towels or other items. Wash your hands frequently.

Tags: cold sores, Cures for Cold Sores, treatment for cold sores