Are you prone to getting cold sores, or fever blisters, in the summer season? How often do you get them? While these annoying outbreaks, which usually occur around the lips, only last for a few weeks, some people who have them longer than that. If you’re prone to severe outbreaks, here are a few tips for preventing cold sores in the summertime.
Why the Summer Heat Causes Cold Sores
There are various factors as to how the summer season triggers cold sores on the lips. Some of these include increased exposure to sunlight, more stress, dehydration, and bad habits of sharing items, among others. Even the smallest amount of UV rays exposure could have a significant effect on your lips. Other factors include eating acidic foods such as pineapples, tomatoes, pickles, and vinegar-based dressings, which are all common summer foods.
Cold sores are mainly caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), which is a virus that lies dormant and inactive in nerve cells. There is no cure for HSV-1, and once it infects your body, it’s with you for life. However, it can remain dormant for an extended period of time. Many people who are infected with the virus never start to develop symptoms.
What Sore Triggers to Avoid
Now that we know why cold sores happen in the summer, let’s find out what common triggers to avoid. During the summer season, you are likely to travel more. Get some quality sleep while you’re away. Don’t drink or eat too much alcohol or sugar. Make sure to have proper protection while sunbathing. Before diving into that pool, put some medicated lip balm on your lips. We’ll go over what to look for when shopping for one of these.
4 Daily Prevention Tips for Cold Sores in the Summer
Protecting yourself from cold sores requires using the right products, maintaining a balanced diet, and staying safe against the sun. If you want to avoid getting one of these annoying, problematic blisters, here are a few daily prevention tips.
Use a Lip Balm with SPF 30 or Higher
To prevent a cold sore, you must use a medicated lip balm with SPF protection. A good lip balm should contain ingredients such as Vitamin E, lysine, or coconut oil, which are capable of moisturizing and protecting. It must also have antiviral properties and be formulated for cold sores. Ones that have natural ingredients could be effective. Avoid the lip balms with harsh ingredients and strong fragrances.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Unless you have protection, try to avoid as much direct sunlight to your face as possible. Sunlight can trigger a cold sore outbreak anytime, especially during the summer. So be sure to not only wear a good lip balm or chapstick, but also wear a wide-brimmed hat and seek plenty of shade. Be sure to reapply your lip balm every two hours and after eating, swimming, or licking your lips.
Keep Your Immune System Strong
Cold sores are likely to keep coming when your immune system is weak. Are you eating healthy or getting enough sleep? How often do you exercise? Is your stress level high? These things are important in keeping your immune system strong. Depriving yourself of adequate sleep could lead to more severe cold sores. Having too much stress can reactivate the virus that causes it. When the rest of your body is healthy, this lowers your risk of incessant sores around your lips.
Avoid Sharing Personal Items
Unfortunately, many people during the summer season have a habit of sharing things with each other that their lips have touched. Avoid any skin contact with anybody while blisters are still present. Please don’t share cups, towels, and eating utensils. Don’t loan anyone your lip balm after using it. These are all vital proper hygiene tactics to avoid spreading the HSV-1 virus.
When it’s Best to See a Doctor
In some cases, people with cold sores may have to see a doctor. This usually happens when their cold sores are severe or they’ve been getting them frequently. Also, if you have a cold sore that lasts longer than two weeks or the pain interferes with your daily activities, it’s best to see one then. A qualified doctor may prescribe you proper medications or advanced therapies to help manage any outbreaks. Doing these things, along with the four daily tips above, are essential in preventing cold sores in the summer.
Are you always suffering from cold sores in the summer? What tips do you find helpful in avoiding summer cold sore outbreaks? Feel free to share your tips in the comments section below. As always, be sure to like or share this post with the next person you know going through this problem.
