Cold sores, fever blisters or oral herpes outbreaks are all caused by the same herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). Most people who carry HSV-I don’t have any symptoms, yet still spread the virus to others. When people with pre-existing conditions or have had recent exposure to an outbreak, they may have an increased risk of transmitting the virus to others. So if you’ve had a cold sore or an oral outbreak in the past year, you may want to talk to your doctor about certain precautions you can take to reduce the risk of spreading the disease to others.

The first step to reducing the length of cold sores outbreaks is to keep yourself healthy. This means eating a balanced diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and protein, and getting plenty of rest. In addition to eating a balanced diet, other things that can help are to use an ice pack two times a day, use an ice pack on areas of skin that are injured or inflamed, and avoid touching the mouth or nose before showering or doing any personal grooming. If you practice good hygiene and are proactive regarding your health, you will reduce your risk of contracting herpes simplex virus.

Lip gels are another natural remedy for cold sores duration. They provide protection from the blister by providing a thin layer of protection over the blistered area. They also help moisturize the lips so that the area doesn’t dry out. One of the best lip gels that can be used during an active cold sore outbreak is a lip balm that contains docosanol. Docosanol is an anti-viral agent that provides protection from viruses, bacteria and fungi, as well as help alleviate irritation caused by blisters.

A water pik is another way to get cold sores duration down. The ice cubes and water add up to keep the blistered area elevated and the moisture within the skin. This helps keep the blister from drying out and becoming sore. It also helps keep the contagious nature of cold sores away.

Another way to get cold sores duration down this Christmas time is to use a hot compress. Heat will help in cutting down the length of the breakout. A quick burst of cold compress applied to the painful area two to three times each day should have a dramatic effect on healing. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water after applying a compress, because the virus can be transferred if there is leftover virus on the hands.

These are just a few remedies to help control the amount of cold sores outbreaks during the Christmas time. There are many others that should be mentioned, because they are easy to implement and can easily bring relief. Keep these remedies in mind and you will see that you can keep your Christmas time with your loved ones much more enjoyable. And who knows, these remedies may even help you get over your cold sores quicker!