What to avoid with cold sores

Kissing and other sexual activity

People can pass on HSV-1 through close physical contact, like kissing and oral sex. Though HSV-1 can be transmissible even when you don’t have a cold sore, it is most contagious when you have an active outbreak. Hold off on all sexual activity until your outbreak heals.

Eating acidic and salty foods

Since a cold sore is a painful open wound, avoiding citrus fruits and other acidic foods, like pickles, is important. Avoid eating salty foods, like nuts and potato chips. These foods will irritate your cold sore further, causing added pain. Stick to a low acid, low salt, relatively bland diet until your sores heal.

Sharing personal objects like razors and lip balm

People can pass on HSV-1 by sharing objects that touch their lips or face, including razors, lip balm, lipstick, silverware, and drinking glasses. To greatly reduce your chance of passing on this virus, it’s a good idea to refrain from sharing these personal products, even if you don’t have a cold sore.

Picking at your sores

It can be tempting to pick at cold sores — you may even find yourself absentmindedly rubbing or touching your sores without realizing it. But touching your cold sore can transfer the virus to your hands, where you could pass it on to other parts of your body or people.

Only touch your cold sore when applying creams or other treatments to it. Thoroughly wash your hands each time you touch your sore, even if you only touch it for a moment. If you find it hard not to pick at it, try wearing gloves or covering the sore with a loose bandage.