Nobody wants to get a cold sore. The problem is that the virus is stored permanently in the body, and can be triggered by different factors. Some people are more prone to outbreaks. This can be frustrating since it affects your life negatively in so many ways.

When you’ve got a cold sore on your face, even a few days of suffering and staring glances can feel like a lifetime. So, what’s the best way to get rid of cold sores fast? Well, you can stop a cold sore before it starts by understanding your body better, and taking action before an outbreak.

There are no cold sore prevention methods that are guaranteed to work. Sometimes, you can do all the right things and still go through outbreaks. But, you can reduce the risk of getting a cold sore when you understand why you’re affected more often than other people.

We’ll now take a look at some of the most effective preventative measures, and some over-the-counter treatments. You’re more likely to be successful if you understand what ‘triggers’ the outbreak. If you’d like an FDA-approved device that can cut the healing time to just 72 hours, we recommend that you read our Virulite Cold Sore Machine review.

Best Ways to Stop a Cold Sore before It Starts

They are not an STD, but cold sores are technically considered to be the herpes virus. This means the virus will always be in your system once it’s contracted. However, it is dormant most of the time, stored in a nerve by your ear.

Life itself can sometimes seem to be what weakens your immunity. But, some factors can act as triggers for cold sores. When your body’s immune system is compromised in some way, the virus can come to life. With that in mind, consider the following prevention methods:

Reduce Your Stress

Stress can play a huge part in a cold sore outbreak. Not only does it wreak havoc on our emotions, but it can also affect us physically. Most people don’t think stress has any physical effect on our bodies. But, research has shown that it can cause us to become lethargic, fatigued, and sick.

Our immune system has to fight back against all of these things, leaving an opening for the virus. Try to reduce stress levels, if possible. Or, practice stress-relieving techniques, like deep breathing.

If you find that you’re overly stressed, things like yoga and meditation can help.

Get Enough Rest

Your body can’t fight back against anything (including cold sores) unless it is properly rested and healed. As a whole, our society is getting less sleep. Our hectic schedules can wear us down.

Without the proper amount of sleep to re-energize and recharge, we’re compromising our immune systems, and so many other vital organs, muscles, etc. The more sleep you get, the more your body will be prepared for an outbreak.

Vitamin C & E

It’s always a good idea to take a multivitamin each day. But, to keep your immune system boosted, Vitamin C & E are your best sources. They help to increase your body’s white blood cells. Those are the cells that fight off illnesses and viruses.

Vitamin E can be topically applied, should a cold sore appear. It can help to reduce pain and discomfort. But, by getting enough of these two vitamins in your everyday diet, you won’t have to worry about using topical solutions as often.

You can choose to ingest vitamins through capsules or eat more vitamin-rich foods. Vitamin C can be found in things like berries, broccoli, and tomatoes. Vitamin E can be found in foods like nuts and avocados.

Wash Your Hands

Sterilizing your hands several times a day helps to prevent cold sores. We don’t realize how many germs we touch in a day, and we regularly touch our faces. Those germs can make us sick. When we’re sick, our immune systems are weakened, and again, a cold sore outbreak can occur.

It may not be enough just to wash your hands before meals or after you use the restroom, etc. It should become a habit.

Moisturize the Area with Aloe Vera

Try using a gel or lip balm that contains aloe vera. Aloe helps to fight off bacteria that can allow cold sores to burst. If you have existing cold sores, it can also help to soothe them and enable you to heal faster.

Moisturizing will also be beneficial. Cold sores are more prone to appear when the skin is dry. This is why they’re typically more prominent in cold, dry air. By keeping your lips and skin moisturized, you’re making it harder for cold sores to appear.

How to Stop a Cold Sore Before It Starts

Over the Counter Medicated Creams

These creams, ointments, and gels, are some of the most popular choices in clearing up cold sores. Some options are all-natural, like lemon lip balm. They work by penetrating the skin, killing the virus, and adding moisture. They block the virus from reaching the surface of the skin.

Moisturization is the key to safely healing a cold sore. Many people experience flare-ups during colder weather. The air is dry when it’s cold, which can cause cold sores to crack and bleed. No matter what time of year it is, though, keep them moisturized.

The use of over the counter medicated creams can moisturize the area around your mouth. You don’t have to wait until you have a cold sore to start moisturizing. A general medicated lip balm, or a balm with mint or lemon, can work as a preventative measure.

Prevention is Better Than the Cure

Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed way to get rid of cold sores or stop them from appearing. This doesn’t mean that your life has to stop if you do experience an outbreak temporarily. You can usually keep the number of outbreaks under control by understanding your body better. And you can reduce the healing time from 14 days to 3 days with HERP-B-GONE or the Virulite Machine. Both treatments are approved by the FDA.

If you do experience a cold sore, use the above steps to heal faster. Cold sores shouldn’t last more than a couple of weeks. If you treat them with the right products, the period of discomfort could be reduced by up to 75%. Take action straight away, and you’ll feel better sooner.