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Making Yourself Naturally Beautiful

Anytime you see an advertisement or watch television, you might notice that women look downright perfect. In addition to having gorgeous skin and perfect nails, they might also rock nice bodies and fashionable outfits. In an attempt to match this aesthetic, some people turn to plastic surgery, heavy makeup, and drastic weight-loss methods. However, you might be able to become more beautiful naturally by simply changing some of your old habits. I want to teach you how to make yourself look and feel better than ever before. My blog can help you with everything from diet regimens to skin care routines, so that you can love the way you look.

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Making Yourself Naturally Beautiful

What To Do When You Have A Cold Sore

by Wanda Chambers

Cold sores are a common nuisance, affecting up to 90 percent of Americans at some point in their life.  Follow these tips to minimize your discomfort and reduce the duration of your next cold sore outbreak.

1. Treat Immediately

A handful of over-the-counter and prescription medicines are available to help treat cold sores.  While none of them will make a cold sore disappear immediately, they can help reduce the severity and length of the infection.  Unfortunately, these treatments are most effective if applied at the first sign of trouble.  Be attention to areas that have historically experienced cold sores and apply treatment as soon as you notice signs such as tingling, burning, or itching that may indicate a pending outbreak.

2. Use Cool Temperatures to Reduce Irritation

Once sores have developed, you can use a cool, wet, towel to help reduce irritation.  Applying the towel for five to ten minutes a few times daily will not only help with discomfort, but can also help reduce redness.

3. Avoid Acidic Foods

Because acidic foods such as citric fruits, tomatoes, and soda are irritating to the skin, they can actually exacerbate an outbreak.  To avoid increasing the pain caused by cold sores, try to minimize consumption of foods with a high acid content.  If you do eat acidic foods, gently clean any sores around your mouth immediately after.

4. Use Over-the-counter Pain Medicine if Needed

Cold sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus.  While most outbreaks are relatively mild, with the sore itself being the only indication of infection, cold sores can also be accompanied by symptoms associated with classic illness.  Discomfort from the cold sore or from accompanying symptoms can be reduced using over the counter pain medicines such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.  Seek medical help (at offices like American Dermatology), however, if there are signs of serious illness such as a high fever lasting more than a day or two as cold sores can, on rare occasion, develop into a life-threatening illness, especially in populations such as young children or individuals with compromised immune systems.

5. Prevent Future Outbreaks

While it may not be possible to completely prevent cold sores, being aware of potential outbreak triggers could help minimize the number of cold sores you have.  Stress and fatigue are especially likely to cause outbreaks, so make managing stress and adequate sleep priorities.  Trauma to the skin due to cuts while shaving, sunburn, etc. can also increase the likelihood of a sore appearing and should be minimized.

Cold sores are both unsightly and uncomfortable, but following these suggestions can help your cold sore heal as fast as possible.

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