Treatment and prevention of cold sores

Can cold sores be cured?

Someone asks how to get rid of cold sores. Unfortunately, you can't, but you can treat and prevent cold sores. Viruses reside in the nerve pathways and break out when your immune system is weakened. You can prevent cold sores by being good to yourself. Remember to eat healthy, get your exercise and sleep, use a high sun protection factor on your lips and don't overdo sun exposure. Some people can reduce outbreaks if they avoid eating chocolate and nuts, but it varies greatly from person to person.

It is most common to have outbreaks a few times a year and the number decreases with age. Over time, you will become good at noticing when a cold sore is coming and you can start treatment as early as possible.

It is important to react immediately when you notice the first symptoms. The earlier you start treatment, the more you will reduce the extent and duration of the outbreak. Today, you can get many creams/gels over the counter and for all types, the sooner you start treatment, the less your