The Do’s and Don’ts for Cold Sore Treatment

You know the signs, when you feel that tingle and know a cold sore is coming on. When you wake up in the morning, and you see a full-blown cold sore outbreak. With this handy do’s and dont’s for cold sores guide, and InterceptCS™ by your side to prevent cold sores before they happen, you’ll never have to worry about that again.

Do’s:

• Eat foods that have lots of Lysine. This includes dairy products, potatos, peas, lentals, beans, red meat, cheese, cod, nuts, eggs or soyabeans. Spirulina, fenugreek and brewer’s yeast also contain lysine. If you want a big dose, take an L-Lysine supplement.
• Use separate towels and face clothes to avoid spreading cold sores to the rest of your family.
• To alleviate some of the pain, use an anesthetic ointment to numb the area. You can also take painkillers if it’s a particularly bad outbreak.
• Be sure to get lots of rest to help your body fight the virus.
• Vitamin supplements of zinc, E, and B can help to fight the virus and heal the skin.
• Boost your immune system by taking Echinacea or other immune system boosting supplements.
• Keep the cold sore moisturized with Vaseline or petroleum jelly. Keeping the cold sore moisturized will help the healing process.
• Get lots of exercise. Exercise boosts the immune system and can help fight off stress.
• A cold pack or ice cube can help numb the pain as well.
• Be on guard and protect your lips. Using a lip balm that contains sun screen can help avoid triggers like direct sunlight. Chapped or sore lips can lead to a cold sore outbreak (see cold sore vs pimple on lip).

Don’ts:

• Eat foods that contain Arginine, such as chocolate, cola, beer (see liver and cold sores) and peanuts.
• Eat salty, acidic foods, like chips or lemons.
• Avoid kissing others when a cold sore is active, they are extremely contagious.
• Touch, scratch or pick it. Physical contact can encourage the virus to spread more easily, so never touch it and always wash your hands.
• Getting a cold sore scab wet. The scab is very fragile, so avoid getting it wet or licking it. Don’t go swimming and try to keep it out of the shower.
• Wearing makeup, like lipstick, can help spread the virus.
• Your toothbrush is a great carrier for the virus, and the moisture locked within the bristles keep the cells alive. Try to dry out or replace your toothbrush regularly.