The haze is not the end of the world. But we understand that it can be a really unpleasant problem for some people. Fortunately, there are proven remedies that can ease the symptoms and also speed up the healing time. There’s no need to panic.

The herpes simplex virus is always an unwelcome guest, but a tenacious one. Once it gets to you, it doesn’t want to let go and slumbers in your nervous system. There are two main forms. Oral herpes and herpes that occurs in the genital area. Unfortunately there is no cure for cold sores, but that doesn’t mean you can’t shorten the duration of an outbreak and improve the symptoms.

What is the trigger

Of course, cold sores don’t just appear on our bodies out of nowhere. Usually, cold sores are activated at the very moment when it is most inconvenient. The best friend of cold sores is stress. If you are under pressure and don’t get enough sleep or drink a lot of coffee, herpes takes advantage of this. The same goes for illness, fever, hormonal changes or sudden weather changes. Diet or excessive use of alcoholic beverages can also have an effect. Overall, then, a weakened immunity is behind the development of herpes. So build up your body’s natural resistance.

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Tips for managing cold sores

The most important thing is to relieve the pain. This will make you feel more comfortable. So what should you do when you discover a cold sore? First of all, use a cold compress or even an ice pack to relieve the pain. Always wrap a cloth around it and apply it for 15 minutes. Repeat several times a day. But beware of frostbite.

Remember that it is not advisable to touch the sores in any way. And it’s certainly not a good idea to scratch the affected area. This could spread the infection to other areas of your body, and that is certainly not your goal. If the cold sore is in a place where you wear clothes, choose loose and breathable underwear.

You need to keep your cold sores clean. You should rest as much as possible and choose a healthy diet. This will strengthen your immunity. Avoid acidic foods, however, as these could worsen the scalding lesions. Above all, reduce stress.

Garlic will help

According to laboratory studies, garlic can also help. Fresh garlic. However, raw garlic is aggressive and could damage your skin. So if you want to use it, try it on less sensitive areas of your skin first. Alternatively, opt for a garlic mask instead.

Manuka honey

There is also a rather sweet remedy. Research shows that it’s not just garlic that has antiviral effects, but also manuka honey. The latter can shorten the duration of the disease. So apply it several times during the day on the affected area. However, it is necessary to have real manuka honey, otherwise it may not work well.

What to boost immunity with

To prevent the disease, it is good to strengthen your immune system preventively. Vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant shield, can help you to do this. Then it is also advisable to supplement your body with zinc and vitamin B12. Not forgetting omega-3 fatty acids. These are the silent fighters against inflammation.