What Triggers Cold Sores to Break Out?

I hated cold sores! These little bastards have been the cause of my misery since I was like 6 years old. I hardly ever went a full year without an outbreak. When they show up on my lips and face, it’s usually painful and very uncomfortable, not to mention contagious. But the worst thing is how they affect my self-esteem; I feel like a leper, ugly and unwanted.

Over the years, they have ruined my life on multiple occasions. I’ve lost count of the dates and social events I had to cancel because of cold sores. Once they’re on my face, my life basically shuts down for the next 2 weeks or so. These little bastards seem to know the worst time to launch their attack; it’s like the purpose of their existence is to ruin my social life! These things are evil, I tell ya!

Anyway, I’ve been living with cold sores now for almost 20 years, and I can usually tell when an outbreak is imminent. I usually experience some symptoms when I’m about to have blisters on my face; I think these symptoms are known as ‘prodomes’ and they basically include things like sensations of burning and tingling in specific areas in my face where the blisters would eventually show up. This, along with redness usually signals the time for me to once again become a hermit for the next 2 weeks. So, what triggers cold sores to break out?

Things that seem to be triggering my cold sores

• Fever, cold or flu
• Excessive exposure to the sun
• Stress
• Changes in hormone levels
• Changes the immune system
• Trauma to the skin

In case you’re wondering; yes, I did see the doctor. He prescribed me some anti-viral drugs which did help a bit, that is if I don’t mind losing all of my hair. Apparently this anti-viral drug comes with a side effect, and that side effect is HEAVY HAIRLOSS! Are you friggin kidding me?? Needless to say I wasn’t too thrilled with the idea of not having hair, so I searched for an alternative to some success.

I’ve been trying this natural approach thing to treat my cold sores, and it’s kinda working I guess. I mean the outbreaks have kinda stopped and if they do occur, its healing time is nowhere near two weeks. But most of all, I no longer have to buy expensive drugs with hairloss as its side effect.
Maybe this natural approach thing is my new way of life!