If you suffer from frequent cold sore outbreaks and want to learn what you can do to reduce their frequency and duration and get back some of the control of your life you've lost to the condition then you'll want to read this article. In it I'll discuss the usual reasons for suffering frequent outbreaks, what you can do to turn the situation around and the future of cold sore treatments. After reading this article, you should be able to make some lifestyle changes that will help your body fight the virus better. Cold sore are caused by the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-I), which is transmitted directly by contact with a cold sore blister or lesion. It is extremely common, with infection rates estimated to be anywhere between 70 and 90 percent of the adult population, with many of us contracting the virus in childhood.

The big problem with treating HSV is that there is currently no cure and so once infected it remains with us for life. That isn't to say that we will permanently have cold sores; most of the time the virus is in a dormant state in the nerve cells, where it is immune from anti-viral treatments that can attack it when in the infectious state. Cold sores are often triggered by the presence of another viral infection, such as a cold or flu; high levels of stress; overtiredness; hormonal changes such as those present due to menstruation; and even exposure to sunlight.While we are not in control of all of these, one long term strategy is to ensure that our lifestyles do not overburden the immune system so that it is better suited to deal with the cold sore virus, so that we suffer fewer outbreaks and those that occur are less severe.

Simple lifestyle changes include quitting smoking and reducing the amount of alcohol we consume. Also, it is important to our immune systems that we eat healthily and take regular exercise. Probably you're used to hearing the advice on diet and exercise, but have you put it into practice? If not, you should start to act now. Cut down on junk food and processed meals as they contain too much salt, sugar and saturated fats. Instead increase the amount of fruit and vegetables you eat and choose lean cuts of meat and fish whenever possible. As for exercise, you should aim for a brisk walk for 30 minutes per day. If that doesn't appeal, try joining a gym, take an exercise class, swim, cycle or do yoga. These are all good forms of exercise. A note on this, though; if you haven't exercised for years then see your doctor first.

The medical community is currently frustrated by the lack of progress in providing a highly effective medicinal cold sore treatment, and as drug based solutions remain relatively expensive and with some risk of side effects, many sufferers turn towards natural remedies for a solution. As there is no complete cure for the condition at present, any current cold sore treatment focuses on prevention, easing the symptoms, or healing. Because the virus awakes from its dormant state in the nerve cells only when the immune system becomes compromised in some way, it is important to ensure that the immune system is functioning at full strength, which can be achieved through regular exercise, diet and relaxation to minimize stress. However once an outbreak occurs we need to switch focus; we can help ease the symptoms of pain or itchiness and treat dry skin and cracks; and help reduce the impact of the virus to reduce the overall healing time and to ensure that the skin heals without scarring.

Cold sores usually take in the region of 7-10 days to complete the full cycle from tingling phase to healing and because the virus is contagious throughout these stages, remember to observe high standards of hygiene to ensure it is not spread, either to other parts of the body or to other people; always wash your hands after applying any topical remedy and avoid touching the lesion whenever possible. Many sufferers find that taking regular L-lysine supplements both reduces the frequency and severity of outbreaks. Other simple remedies include the application of sunscreen, which is often recommended for cold sore sufferers due to the fact that prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can serve as a trigger for the outbreak.

Compounds such as phenol, zinc, tannic acid and lysine have antiviral properties, which inhibit the ability of the herpes virus to form lesions and help form an environment that speeds up the healing process. Besides these compounds, lip balms are used to soften and moisturize the scabs that form, reducing bleeding and cracking. A number of herbal medications are also useful in cold sore treatment, with herbal antiseptics such as tea tree oil and sage, and herbal sedatives such as violet, having been found to offer relief. Many people have found that simply applying ice to the affected area can prove beneficial; when applied during the tingle stage it lowers the temperature and the metabolic rate of the area, thus slowing the development of cold sore; it also lessens itching and pain by acting as a numbing agent. Applying tea bags to the lesions is also often beneficial as tea contains tannic acid, which has been shown to minimize development of the sores, while applying a coating of moisturizing agents like petroleum jelly can help to prevent bleeding and cracking.