How to Prevent Fever Blisters

Prevent fever blisters with good lip care.

Fever blisters are painful sores that develop in and around the mouth, and are caused by a common form of the Herpes virus (HSV I). Up to 80% of the population carries this virus, and most of us are infected by age 7. The virus is not always active, and some people suffer frequent fever blister outbreaks, while others rarely or never experience outbreaks. If you suffer from recurrent outbreaks, there are a number of steps you can take to prevent fever blisters (also called cold sores).

Instructions

1. Eat a healthy diet full of immune-boosting nutrients. The key to preventing fever blister outbreaks is to keep your immune system strong, since anything that weakens your defenses can bring on an outbreak.

2. To prevent fever blisters, consider taking zinc, lysine, and vitamin C supplements. These nutrients are known to boost immune function.

3. Prevent fever blisters by getting enough sleep. Healthy adults need from about 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night in order to rejuvenate and repair damaged tissues. If you burn the midnight oil too often, you can stress your body and weaken your defenses.

4. Illness is a major trigger for many people. This can seem like a double whammy, since you'll be dealing with painful fever blisters while trying to recover from an illness. Slow down and take care of yourself to prevent fever blisters and avoid taxing your already overburdened defenses.

5. Avoid overexposure to sunlight, and use a good lip balm that blocks UV rays. Exposure to sunlight can activate the dormant HSV I virus.

6. Keep your lips moisturized. Dry, chapped, or cracked lips are more prone to cold sores. Taking steps to prevent injuries to your lips can help prevent fever blisters.