Every time you have a big meeting or important presentation to give and you develop an unsightly cold sore on your lip. What is your reaction? When you wake up with a small cluster of tiny, harmless looking white blisters which then explode into a painful SORE!!
Cold sores that occur on the lips are caused by the herpes simplex virus I. Normally, the sores last from 7 – 14 days. Do not choose to leave cold sores alone and let them go their own way although they are usually not server or harmful.
If you are a person who have frequent or severe cold sores, see your doctor. There is also a prescription drug named “acyclovir” that works well against initial outbreaks of herpes simples viruses.
Do not attempt to camouflage the sores with makeup, as they will end up produces an even worse effect.
Although you cannot do much about the way they look, you can take the following steps to decrease discomfort, speed healing and keep them from coming back :
Cover it with a protective petroleum-based product
This will protect it from infection and help it to heal a little quicker.
Avoid salty or acidic food
Please avoid food such as potato chips or citrus fruits that can further irritate cold sores and add to the pain.
Apply an over-the-counter anesthetic
Apply a local anesthetic ointment that contains benzocaine on the cold sore can help numb the pain for a temporary period.
Protect your lips from the sun
By applying sunscreen to your lips may help to prevent sun-induced recurrences of cold sores. You may source for sunscreen that is specially created for the lips and has an SPF 15 or higher.
Keep it to yourself
As cold sores are quite contagious, and while you have cold sores, please refrain from kissing and sharing cups, towels. And don’t let your itchy hands to scratch on the cold sores.
