I have some good news for you. Your last cold sore may have been ..well, your last cold sore.

I will explain about these nasty sores that some people refer to as fever blisters, and share the best of the best non-toxic solutions to prevent a cold sore before it begins, or stop a new eruption in its tracks so it disappears in just a few days.

Cold sores are extremely embarrassing. As a teenager, no one feels it more than you. It's not easy to go to school or elsewhere and try to be invisible.

You're filled with dread when you feel the first symptom, that tingling, itchy or numb feeling. You know you're in for two weeks of various stages of the infection, all of which are ugly. I don't think that's too strong a word, do you?

First, the swollen painful bump emerges where you first felt the early symptom. Then there's the good news, the bump recedes, and the bad news, the bump is replaced with clusters of small blisters. Those blisters eventually break open and seep a clear type of fluid until, at the next stage, they scab over, and finally, it all heals. Unfortunately, it can sometimes leave a scar.

What causes it? The Herpes Simplex Virus 1, and during the time you have a cold sore, it's contagious.

It's pointless to try to figure out who you caught it from. All it takes is one person with an active infection who may have kissed you when you were a baby, or anytime since, sharing some food using the same fork or spoon.

The virus is easily transmitted by direct contact with a lesion or the body fluid of an infected individual, and can lay dormant in the body for years before an infection is triggered when the strength of your immune system is lower than normal.

The trigger is commonly caused by stress and fatigue (ever have that?), or being in the sun or wind too long.

For you girls, menstruation is a common trigger. Pain in the mouth area can cause it also, for instance, a dental procedure, or when someone's dancing next to you who's just a little too enthusiastic, and accidentally pops you across the mouth with their hand.

I prefer non-toxic solutions, and why not if they are equally effective, if not more so, than your drug store variety over-the-counter remedy, or prescription drug that's very expensive, and has potential for negative side effects.

You've probably heard about Lysine, an amino acid that works as an anti-viral. Many lysine users find it effective to prevent a cold sore or keep one that recently erupted less severe with quicker healing. Make it part of your daily regimen, 1,500 mg per day on an empty stomach. If inspite of daily use, you still feel a cold sore coming on, increase dosage to 3,000 mg per day until the threat is over, then resume 1,500 mg per day.

Garlic is an effective cold sore preventative and treatment, having anti-viral properties. Include a garlic supplement as part of your daily regimen.

This may surprise you, but fresh lemon slices are effective to prevent a cold sore. When you feel the early warning symptom, apply a slice to the affected area, and replace with a new slice every fifteen to twenty minutes for an hour or so. Unless you love pain, don't use it on an open blister. You should always have a back-up solution in case you don't have a lemon available when it's needed.

If you'd rather not deal with taking a daily supplement, there's Cold Sores Begone. A topical, herbal remedy, it's only necessary to apply at the tingling sensation when a cold sore is coming on, or for a very recent eruption. The infection is stopped upon contact, preventing the sore before it becomes visible. The bottle is small so can be kept in a purse or backpack. It's one of those best products that no one knows about.

You know that not one thing works for everyone, right? It's due to each person's unique chemical make-up. If one of these cold sore preventatives don't work for you, try another. Above all, the most important factor is to keep your immune system strong, so even if it's not as fun as the alternative, get adequate sleep, and Google ways to handle your stress. Your self-esteem is counting on you.