Cold Sores on Lips
Just when you want to look your best for a date, a job interview, a wedding, or an important occasion, you start to feel that itching, tingling and burning feeling on your lips.
"Oh no," you think, "Not a cold sore!" If you have experienced a previous 'bout' with cold sores or fever blisters, you know you'll be having an unwanted outbreak soon.
Of all the days that it could resurface, it seems that a cold sore 'bout' picks the day that will embarrass you the most.
Short of stopping the outbreak in its tracks, there are other steps that you can take to reduce the frequency of cold sores on your lips.
The herpes virus that causes cold sores usually resides in nerve cells around the face.
The area around the mouth and, especially the lips, are composed of many nerve endings.
This may be why cold sores generally appear on the lips.
The lips are also the most sensitive part of the body and therefore are susceptible to physical trauma.
The herpes virus takes advantage of this vulnerability.
Even the slightest crack in the lips can lead to a full blown cold sore outbreak.
So taking care of your lips can increase your chances at preventing cold sore episodes.
Lips do not have the normal protection that our skin has.
Hair, oil and sweat glands are not present in our lips.
Oil glands make our skin smooth while sweat glands regulate our body temperature and also help in fighting off bacteria.
This is why lips easily become dry and chapped.
Here are some tips on caring for your lips and getting one step closer to preventing cold sores: · Keep them moisturized.
Getting wind burned or sunburned is a common occurrence that can trigger a cold sore.
Therefore it is recommended that you use lip balm or lip gloss to protect your lips from drying out.
Lip balm with sunscreen is even better; especially in the summer.
· Don't lick your lips.
You may believe that licking your lips will keep them moisturized but it only makes them drier.
When the lips become wet and then dry out, the evaporation takes out your lips' natural moisture.
· Don't bite your lips.
Biting the lips is also another habit that can cause damage to your lips.
Biting can be harmless most of the time but can cause your lips to swell or become irritated · Exfoliate.
Keep your lips fresh and healthy by brushing over them once with your toothbrush and warm water.
Doing this removes old skin and encourages growth of new healthier skin cells.
Although cold sores usually form on the lips or around the mouth, the virus may be spread to other parts of the body such as fingers, nose and eyes.
If infected with a cold sore blister, wash your hands often and refrain from touching it.
If you do get a cold sore on your lips you can cover it with cosmetics to make it less noticeable.
However, it would be better if the cold sore never surfaced in the first place.
The absolute best way to deal with an outbreak is to prevent it from ever beginning.
There are vitamins and supplements that can stop the outbreak in its tracks.
So, next time you feel the burning, itching, tingling feeling, you will be able to say, "Aha! Cold sore, you are not going to ruin my day!"
"Oh no," you think, "Not a cold sore!" If you have experienced a previous 'bout' with cold sores or fever blisters, you know you'll be having an unwanted outbreak soon.
Of all the days that it could resurface, it seems that a cold sore 'bout' picks the day that will embarrass you the most.
Short of stopping the outbreak in its tracks, there are other steps that you can take to reduce the frequency of cold sores on your lips.
The herpes virus that causes cold sores usually resides in nerve cells around the face.
The area around the mouth and, especially the lips, are composed of many nerve endings.
This may be why cold sores generally appear on the lips.
The lips are also the most sensitive part of the body and therefore are susceptible to physical trauma.
The herpes virus takes advantage of this vulnerability.
Even the slightest crack in the lips can lead to a full blown cold sore outbreak.
So taking care of your lips can increase your chances at preventing cold sore episodes.
Lips do not have the normal protection that our skin has.
Hair, oil and sweat glands are not present in our lips.
Oil glands make our skin smooth while sweat glands regulate our body temperature and also help in fighting off bacteria.
This is why lips easily become dry and chapped.
Here are some tips on caring for your lips and getting one step closer to preventing cold sores: · Keep them moisturized.
Getting wind burned or sunburned is a common occurrence that can trigger a cold sore.
Therefore it is recommended that you use lip balm or lip gloss to protect your lips from drying out.
Lip balm with sunscreen is even better; especially in the summer.
· Don't lick your lips.
You may believe that licking your lips will keep them moisturized but it only makes them drier.
When the lips become wet and then dry out, the evaporation takes out your lips' natural moisture.
· Don't bite your lips.
Biting the lips is also another habit that can cause damage to your lips.
Biting can be harmless most of the time but can cause your lips to swell or become irritated · Exfoliate.
Keep your lips fresh and healthy by brushing over them once with your toothbrush and warm water.
Doing this removes old skin and encourages growth of new healthier skin cells.
Although cold sores usually form on the lips or around the mouth, the virus may be spread to other parts of the body such as fingers, nose and eyes.
If infected with a cold sore blister, wash your hands often and refrain from touching it.
If you do get a cold sore on your lips you can cover it with cosmetics to make it less noticeable.
However, it would be better if the cold sore never surfaced in the first place.
The absolute best way to deal with an outbreak is to prevent it from ever beginning.
There are vitamins and supplements that can stop the outbreak in its tracks.
So, next time you feel the burning, itching, tingling feeling, you will be able to say, "Aha! Cold sore, you are not going to ruin my day!"
