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Cold sores can form blisters anywhere on the body. Typically, they appear on or around the mouth area or genitalia. They are caused by the Herpes Simplex virus (type I), for which their is no cure at present. There are many commercial treatments aiming to allieviate the condition of cold sores, and all carry some risk, whatever their effectiveness, so here are some ideas for natural remedies that are free and easy to use.

First - chill out. Stress can trigger an attack. Try to relax and take life a little easier. Review your diet and try to eat healthily. Vegetables and fruit are good for you! Also try to make sure you get enough exercise and sleep, as a run down metabolism makes it easier for the virus to strike.

At the first sign of an attack (usually a 'tingling'), apply ice for at least a quarter of an hour. Repeat regularly if you can - the virus doesn't like the cold! Between applications of ice, you can try applying vitamin E which can be purchased in liquid form at any health store. Make sure you keep up your vitamin A and B intake, and remember that Zinc is also antipathetic to the virus.; about 30 mg daily should do it. To really zap those sores, take 2500 mg of lysine (an amino acid) until the cold sore vanishes.

Obviously, while you treat the cold sore, use lip protection from wind and sun - Chapstick is good (unflavored). Other possible treatments include echinacea, red clover, and pau d'arco, although it is beyond the scope of this short article to expand on these. And remember - no kissing while the sore is present!