Cold Sores 101: Knocking out Cold Sores Fast
This may be a taboo topic for some; however cold sores are a common ailment. Aproximately 80 million Americans will experience at least one cold sore during the year. As temperatures drop and winter-related illnesses rise, the chance of a cold sore being triggered increases. Cold temperatures and illness are just two triggers that can cause cold sore outbreaks. Other triggers include sun exposure, injury to the mouth, lack of sleep and stress. Stress, which tends to rear its head during the winter months as many people prepare for the holidays, coupled with cold weather can create the perfect storm for a cold sore outbreak.
WHAT’S YOUR COLD SORE IQ? DID YOU KNOW…
There are many myths out there about cold sore treatments:
- pricking their cold sore with a needle
- applying alcohol or witch hazel to dry it out
- holding a tea bag or ice on it to speed up healing
These remedies have not been clinically proven to heal cold sores or shorten the healing time. Although those home remedies may make it temporarily feel better, using them can possibly make the cold sore worse.
SAMPLE TRUE OR FALSE QUIZ
- It’s okay to kiss during the cold sore cycle, especially towards the end?
- A worn-down body finds it harder to keep the virus inactive?
- You should start treatment at the first tingle.
- Sun exposure during the winter is not a trigger for cold sores.
- Pricking your cold sore with a needle can relieve the pain and speed healing.
Answers: 1. False; 2. True; 3. True; 4. False; 5. False
TIPS ON HOW TO LESSEN YOUR RISK OF A COLD SORE OUTBREAK:
- Don’t share personal items or kiss for the entire cold sore life cycle.
- Get plenty of rest. A worn-down body is more likely to get sick and finds it harder to keep the virus inactive.
- Use sunscreen to avoid over exposure to the sun, even in the winter.
- Go to Abreva.com for more information on triggers and treatment.
- If you are one of the 20 to 40 percent of people who have the virus and actually experience an outbreak, have your solution handy and start your treatment at the first tingle.
What Cold Sore Sufferers Are Saying …
In the latest Harris Interactive survey of 1,000 cold sore sufferers commissioned by Abreva:
- Even though most cold sore sufferers (81 percent) were aware that treating a cold sore at the first sign of an outbreak can shorten its healing time, many have misconceptions about how to treat cold sores effectively.
- The majority of cold sore sufferers (71 percent) say they feel self-conscious when they have a cold sore
- More than half (52 percent) feel really ugly with a cold sore
- 58 percent think that everyone is staring at their lip
-
Women and younger adults are more likely to feel embarrassed than their male and older counterparts, respectively.
- About 1 in 4 cold sore sufferers (24 percent) are embarrassed to talk to a pharmacist about their cold sore but almost 100 percent of pharmacists welcome these cold sore sufferers to get counseling about cold sores.
Fore more information please visit: www.abreva.com.
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