About 90 percent of people are born with Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1) already in their bodies. Once you get a cold sore (primary infection), it almost always returns in the future (recurrent infection), but the symptoms are unlikely to be as severe. But, why do I keep getting cold sores in the same spot?
A lot of people never get an outbreak, but for those people who do get recurring cold sores, it’s a miserable experience. Cold Sores, also known as fever blisters, can appear anywhere on your face. However, they tend to appear on the lower lip line, below the nose, chin, and eyelids.
There are recommended cold sore treatments that you can use to reduce the duration of the sore, and even to stop it from forming at all. But, once it’s gone, it’s still ‘likely’ to return at some point in the future. This is because the virus is permanently stored in your body.
It typically takes up to 14 days for a cold sore to go away, but it can be removed in as little as 72 hours if you act fast. It pays to be prepared for an outbreak, and HERP-B-GONE is one of the best treatments. You’ll benefit from an FDA-approved formula that stops the virus from spreading and can prevent it from occurring at all. It’s a good alternative to Abreva treatment.
Why Do Cold Sores Appear in the Same Place?
- Fact: The virus that causes cold sores cannot be cured, but it can be treated when an outbreak occurs. Some people get an outbreak about 2 to 5 times a year. About 10 percent of the people who carry the virus have 6 or more outbreaks each year.
The herpes virus travels through nerves. It hides in one nerve, which is why they appear in the same place. If the blister opens, and the liquid moves to another place on your lip or mouth, there are other nerves there that the virus can attach.
When the cold sore heals, the virus travels back to the ganglion, which is a cluster of connected nerves in the face. It stays there, lying dormant until something ‘triggers’ it to awaken again. Most of us are susceptible to one or more cold sore triggers.
Why Do I Keep Getting Cold Sores Every Month?
Here are the common cold sore causes:
- Stressful situations
- Pregnancy
- Menstruation
- Tiredness, sleeplessness, and fatigue
- Exposure to sunshine
- Cold weather
- Dental work
- Quitting smoking
- Sun exposure
Why Do Cold Sores Appear in the Corner of the Mouth?
There are many nerves in the face that lead to the corners of the mouth. When you get a fever blister once, you’re infected. The virus stays in that nerve, traveling back and forth. When exposed, the dormant virus awakens and travels back to the other end of the nerve.
How to Prevent Recurring Cold Sores
Some things can be done to prevent cold sores from coming back. Although they will almost always show up in the same place, you can take different measures to reduce the likelihood of them forming. Here are some things that you can do to stay cold sore free:
Apply a UPF 30+ Lip Balm
Apply a good lip balm that contains sunscreen before spending time in the sun. When applying it, make sure that you focus on the spot where the blister ‘normally’ appears. Doing this will protect the most vulnerable areas of your skin, and the virus is more likely to remain in a dormant state.
If you expose your skin to direct sunlight, you’re slowly dehydrating/drying out the skin. It’s believed that the cracks that appear on the lips provide a point of entrance for the virus. That’s why you should apply a UPF 30+ lip balm to provide protection and moisturization.
Lysine Helps to Lengthen Dormancy
Much medical research has been done on the effects of Lysine for cold sores. In clinical studies, it has been shown that more than half of the people who have taken Lysine suffered from cold sores less often.
The suggested daily intake of Lysine supplements is 1,000 to 3,000 mg. daily. This will not kill the virus, but it does make it harder for the virus to recur.
Less Stress & Extra Sleep
Additional stress leads to a weakened immune system. This means that the body is less able to defend itself against HSV-1, which is why people typically endure a flare-up when they feel under more pressure than normal.
You won’t be able to remove all stress from your life, but consider making a few lifestyle changes and practicing some relaxation techniques. Couple this with a nutrient-rich diet that’s low in acid, and always try to get a good night’s sleep.
Avoid Contact & Sharing Items
Cold sores are easily spread by kissing, sexual activity, and sharing items/objects with carriers. This means that you need to take added precautions so this doesn’t happen. Less obvious things that should be avoided include sharing drinking cups, hand towels, and toothbrushes.
As a preventative measure, make sure that you wash your hands more often, and try to avoid touching your face. If you’re worried about spreading the virus to other parts of the face, consider applying a medicated cold sore patch. If you forget, you have an added source of protection.
No one can get rid of the HSV-1 virus completely. Until there is a medical cure, there is always a chance of recurrence. Taking a Lysine supplement can help to reduce the number of sores that you get, as can using HERP-B-GONE cold sore cream.
Cold sores can be painful and embarrassing. Now that you know the cold sore triggers, you can lessen the chances of them recurring by making some lifestyle modifications. You should also apply treatment straight away because it reduces the number of occurrences and severity of each outbreak. You’ll still get cold sores in the same spot, but it might not happen as often.