Why I stopped chasing a cure and started counting
For years I looked for the thing that would make cold sores go away for good. What actually changed my life was boring: I started counting outbreaks per year and treated it like a number to bring down. Once you measure it, prevention gets motivating fast. How many did you have last year, and what is your goal this year?
I get maybe two a year now, down from about six. Prevention genuinely works.
The tingle warning is real. If I catch it early enough I can usually keep it small.
Do you reapply after eating and drinking? That is where I always seem to forget.
Stress is my number one trigger by far. Busy weeks and then it appears.
Down to about two a year now, prevention genuinely works.
Protecting my lips before skiing changed everything for me.