[PSA] How to avoid and get rid of COLD SORES

Beauty Tips For Body Care
I'm making this post because I'm sick of family gatherings full of relatives with HUGE cold sores, claiming that it's not contagious. It's just gross! Stop scratching that nasty sore and touching all the plates, serving spoons and pitchers.Some prevention facts:> • Cold sores are very CONTAGIOUS when blistering> • They're caused by Herpes Simplex virus> • It can spread to other parts on your face (including your eyes), fingers, and in rare cases it can spread to your brain> • Once someone's contracts the virus, they carry it for life. It remains dormant inside nerve cells when not blistering.> • You're more likely to contract it if you have open wounds or cracks in the skin. Most people get it from parents, school, or university.How to get rid of them:> • Mention cold sores to your doctor; she will probably prescribe you Valaciclovir. It's a pill, common brand Valtrex, generics work just as well. It is taken at FIRST signs of tingling, twice a day for 1 day (or as prescribed). Only taken during flares. Always carry it with you, so you're ready for that first tingle. An alternative pill is Famciclovir.> • Optional: Topical cream Acyclovir (common brand Zovirax, generic will do too, Rx). Make sure your hands are clean, put a tiny dot on your finger, and dab it on the blister. Do not smear it. Wash your hands thoroughly after application. Personally, I don't use this because the Valaciclovir does the trick for me.> • ABREVA DOESN'T WORK. Don't waste your money.> • Do not scratch. If it's unbearable: wash your hands, scratch only the affected area, wash hands again, dab the area with paper to get rid of the pus. Do not smear.> • Wash the non-affected areas of your face first, with very clean hands. THEN wash the affected area separately. Then wash your hands thoroughly. Dry the non-affected parts of the face with one towel. Then with a paper towel (or tissue, or tp) dab/pat the affected area until dry. Throw away paper. DO NOT SMEAR.> • With clean hands, apply moisturizer to the unaffected areas of your face to prevent skin cracks. If you got the Acyclovir, now is the time to put a bit on the affected area. Wash hands.> • DO NOT SCRATCH YOUR EYES.> • If the blister is leaking, constantly pat it dry with paper, and wash hands. At night, if it's leaking a lot, put a piece of cotton with medical tape to prevent the pus from going into other parts of your face and/or pillow. If you took the Valaciclovir early enouh, it should not even get to the point that it's leaking. The pill stops the sore from appearing altogether.> • When possible, it is best to leave it uncovered so the wound can dry up. Bandaids are only helpful during the night time, or at a social outing, to prevent contact with others.> • Do not cover it with make-up. Be careful when applying lip balm to not contaminate the lip balm and unaffected skinL-Lysine is a daily supplement that supposedly helps prevent flares. Studies are inconclusive and my doctor said I could take it if I wanted, but she couldn't make a clinical recommendation for it. I used it for 2 years and saw no difference. Some other people say it works for them.Have a happy AND HYGIENIC halloween/thanksgiving/holidays!
Girls Blog 2015
Submitted by Lvl100Magikarp