How to Protect from a Cold Sore on Lip

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One of the main causes of a cold sore on your lip can be cracked or dry lips. When lips are dry, they can easy split, especially around the corners of your mouth. This is a perfect opportunity for a cold sore (sometimes called fever blisters) to appear, so keeping your lips in the best possible shape can help reduce the frequency of outbreaks (read more cold sore care tips). Please remember the below are primarily preventative measures and are not intended as a cure for cold sores. Let’s get started!

1. Cleansers

Cleansers can dry your lips out, especially those with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which can be one of the cold sore causes or triggers. Apply Vaseline on your lips before using facial cleansers or having close contact with other similar products.

2. Almond Oil

Almond oil is an excellent moisturizer for lips, as it contains vitamins A & E, as well as being hypoallergenic.

3. Humidifier

If you live in a dry climate, consider getting a humidifier in your room at night. This will benefit more than just your lips!

4. Cucumber

For an at-home spa treatment, use a slide of cucumber and leave it on your lips for five minutes. It helps rehydrate your lips and feels great!

5. Exfoliate

There’s lip exfoliator products available, or you can create at-home alternatives like sugar mixed with honey. Use a soft toothbrush and rub the solution gently over your lips for a cleansing exfoliation.

6. Licking Your Lips

Avoid licking your lips. Saliva contains acids that are used to break down food, which also irritate your lips. Licking also removes the natural oils on your lips that help protect them.

7. Mouth Breathing

Breath through your nose, something as simple as breathing through your mouth can dry lips out more.

8. Picking Your Lips

Don’t pick at your lips if they’re extra dry. To avoid unnecessary damage, soften your lips with lip balm or chap and remove flakes later with gentle exfoliation that won’t overly stimulate nerve cells. Furthermore, if you must pick your lips, ensure you wash your hands to prevent additional problems from appearing.

9. Shea Butter

Shea butter can be another alternative for lip chap that works wonderfully and smells great. It also adds a great gloss and shine too!

10. Water

Drink lots of water and avoid drinks with acids in them, like orange juice or alcohol.

11. Spicy & Salty

Also avoid spicy and salty foods, as they can aggravate cuts and dry lips out further and lead to cold or canker sores.

12. Watch the Weather

During certain climates, it can be easier to get lip cuts. In warm weather, try using a lip balm with SPF, and during winter, cover your lips with a scarf to avoid harmful wind.