You know that feeling. The uncomfortable tickly tingly itch on your lip right before it happens. And by the time you realize what it is, it’s already on its way and there is no stopping it. I’ve personally struggled with cold sores all of my life.
Had this been a few years ago, I would have ran the opposite way in thoughts of writing an article like this… mostly because it seemed like even the thought or sight of a cold sore would sometimes cause one to pop up.
From young adolescence up until now, I am in my 30’s and have come to understand my triggers, and the very few things that have actually worked to either shorten the life of the cold sore, or stop it in it’s tracks all together.
What Are Cold Sores?
A cold sore, technically known as Herpes simplex Virus, or HSV-1. It is unfortunate that once a person contracts HSV-1, it’s a lifelong condition. Symptoms usually include sores that last for up to 10 days, but some people experience no symptoms at all.
HSV-1 typically doesn’t cause severe problems, but it can be dangerous in infants and people with weakened immune systems. The sores are also quite embarrassing and can certainly be painful.
HSV-1 spreads through contact with saliva, and can affect other parts of your body, such as your eyes or other parts of your skin.
Who Gets Cold Sores?
Anyone can get HSV-1. Most people contract HSV-1 during childhood. It spreads when an adult who has the virus has close contact with a child, such as when a family member kisses a child.
HSV-1 is widespread around the world. About 2 in 3 people worldwide (and up to 80% of Americans) contract HSV-1 by age 50.
Symptoms And Causes
Cold Sores are actually a symptom of HVS-1. According to The Cleveland Clinic, many people with the infection never experience any herpes symptoms.
If you do notice symptoms, you’ll experience them differently depending on whether you’re having your first herpes outbreak or a repeat outbreak. Recurring symptoms are usually milder than the first outbreak.
Some people may only have one or two outbreaks during their lifetime. Others may have as many as four or five outbreaks a year or more. Everyone is different based on their immune response and stress levels.
Outbreaks typically look like cold sores around the lips, mouth or tongue. They may look crusty or like fluid-filled blisters.
It is typical to feel tingling or burning sensation around your mouth in the days before a cold sore appears. These blisters break open and ooze fluid before forming a crust. Usually, sores last for seven to 10 days.
What Triggers Cold Sores?
Once you have the herpes virus, it stays in your nerve cells forever — even if you never have symptoms. This is because it’s usually dormant (inactive). A trigger may activate the virus. This activation, called an outbreak, causes symptoms, such as sores.
Common outbreak triggers include:
- Fever, viral infection or illness
- Stress
- A weak immune system
- Exposure to hot sun or cold wind
- Hormonal changes, such as those related to menstrual periods
- Fatigue
- Skin injury
I have personally found that certain foods such as dairy, soy, and deep fried foods can also trigger an outbreak. This is especially common when i am about to start my menstrual cycle or am not feeling well.
How To Reduce A Cold Sores Lifespan
In my years of experimenting with different homeopathic treatments, I have found a small handful of things to be effective at reducing the swelling, soreness, and duration of a cold sore. I’ve also included some other natural remedies.
- Ice – Soothe your cold sore by applying an ice pack.
- Tea Tree Oil/ Peppermint Oil – Use tea tree oil or peppermint oil to heal cold sores. This works especially well if you apply either of these as soon as you feel the itchy tingle.
- Manuka Honey – Produced by New Zealand bees, this honey is as effective as a topical medication to treat cold sores
- Lysine – Use lysine cream or its capsule form to treat cold sores.
- Vitamin C and E – Both Vitamin C and Vitamin E can help inactivate the Herpes Simplex Virus and prevent cold sores.
How To Prevent Cold Sores From Happening
I have found that being proactive in the fight against cold sores is easier than fighting one when it’s already appeared. This is why I take a Lysine Supplement every day along with my RADIATE IMMUNITY Supplement to keep my immune system and skin health in check.
Radiate immunity is a gel capsule that contains 18 essential oils and botanical extracts with zero chemicals. Many of the ingredients are anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and help to boost your immune system naturally.
It even helps your body to absorb collagen better, which heals my skin, my joints, and my gut! I can see and feel a difference in so many ways, I highly recommend trying RADIATE IMMUNITY, and seeing for yourself.
The other wonderfully proactive device that I have been using every evening is my
MITO RED LIGHT MOBILE FLEX.
This article contains affiliate links that will pay me a commission if a purchase is made through the links provided.
Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses low-level red or near-infrared light to improve various skin conditions, including cold sores. It works by increasing blood flow and oxygenation to the treated area, which can promote healing and reduce inflammation.
The specific wavelengths of light used in red light therapy have been shown to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, two proteins that are essential for healthy skin. This can help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as promote overall skin health.
There have been several studies conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of red light therapy in the treatment of cold sores… and the results are pretty impressive.
- Low-level light therapy using 1072 nm infrared light was found to be effective in reducing the duration of cold sores and improving healing time.
- Red light therapy found to be more effective in reducing the duration of symptoms than OTC cremes
- Significant reduction in the duration of symptoms and healing time in the group treated with red light therapy.
- Red Light treatment was effective in reducing the frequency of outbreaks.
- 670-nm low laser therapy was effective in reducing the severity of symptoms associated with herpes simplex type
Red Light Therapy and Cold Sores
It is believed that Red light and Near Infra-red light may help to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and inhibit the replication of the herpes simplex virus. Red light therapy may also boost the body’s immune response to the virus, helping to fight off the infection.
It is important to note that red light therapy should be used in conjunction with these treatments to enhance their effectiveness and accelerate healing. Consult your doctor before going off any medications.
If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from persistent or recurring cold sores, red light therapy may offer a natural way to ease your discomfort.
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If you decide to invest in one of their devices then you have a 60 Day Trial so if it doesn’t work for you then you can send the device back for a full refund. I’m confident that you will love your product. I absolutely love my Mito Mobile Flex!
It’s compact enough to travel with, hand-held so I can direct the light to any part of my body I want, and has 3 different light settings! I can use all NIH, all Red Light, or my personal favorite, which is the 50/50 split. It even comes with it’s own 10 minute timer so you don’t have to worry about going over/under the recommended usage periods.
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This article contains affiliate links that will pay me a commission if a purchase is made through the link. All recommendations I make are genuine, and products I would use personally.
Thank you for your support. – Jade Hamilton
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