It starts with a slight tingle, then it appears. A large, red blister. Should you crawl under the covers and hide? Will it take days or weeks to go away? The key is to relax. Stress is a leading cause of cold sore outbreaks in people who have experienced them before. Cold sores, usually found on the lips, are lesions caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus, usually Type 1 (HSV-1). They can be easily spread to other parts of your body and are highly contagious.

The herpes simplex virus remains in the nervous system and can move to the skin when there is sufficient skin irritation, sun exposure, winter weather, hormonal changes, or weakened immune system from fatigue, stress, or sickness. Currently, there is no cure for herpes but there are products, tips, and ingredients that can help relieve and prevent cold sores.

Listed below are our recommended products for cold sores.