How can you prevent cold sores?

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How can you prevent cold sores?

To avoid being infected with HSV-1, you should take the following precautions around people who have cold sores:

  • Avoid kissing, intimate contact and oral sex with someone who has a cold sore.
  • Don’t share towels, razors, dishes, cutlery, straws, lip balm or lipstick.
  • Wash your hands before touching your lips, eyes or genitals.

If you’ve already come into contact with HSV-1, do these to reduce risk of a cold sore outbreak:

  • Try to stay healthy: A fever can trigger a cold sore, which is why people sometimes call them fever blisters.
  • Get enough rest: Fatigue weakens your immune system and makes you more likely to get sick.

  • Wear lip balm with SPF: Protecting your lips from sunburn can help you avoid an outbreak.

    If you have a cold sore, be careful around babies. Always wash your hands, and do not kiss a baby until the cold sore has healed completely.

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