by jerry on September 2, 2011
treat cold sores
Cold sores can be caused by herpes simplex virus, sometimes they can also show up on the face, near the eyes even inside the nose. The sores can also appear on the genital area and can be easily passed on through saliva and oral sex.
Cold Sores versus Canker Sores
Cold sores are often mistaken as canker sore. The description of cold sores is that they can be triggered by excessive sun exposure, colds, menstruation and weakening of the immune system. Canker sores are just bacterial infections that have small round white areas that are surrounded by sharp halo of red while the cold sores can be passed from one person to another even without the blisters.
Can cold sores be cured?
There is still not cure for cold sores. They will come back and get triggered even with no apparent reason. There are only creams that can reduce the swelling, drying and the pain. Cold sores can be triggered by stress. The anxiety can lead to hormonal imbalance and weakening of the immune system. One of the best ways in reducing the attacks is by taking foods that are rich in lysine. It can help heal and prevent the sores by preventing herpes from getting cloned. Patients need to avoid foods that are rich in arginine.
What does a patient with cold sore need to eat?
Patients should eat high lysine foods like cheese, milk, and yogurt. Avoid eating nuts, seeds, grains and chocolate. Once you feel the first tingle or itch place an ice pack to delay the cold sore, the faster you apply the better.
What to Eat
treat cold sores
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and avoid acidic foods, the ph balance of your body should be around 7.4 there are supplements nowadays that promise to lower down the alkalinity of the body. Avoid taking tomatoes, citrus, soda and vinegar rich foods. Increase your intake of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic and onion as well as ginger and beans. You can also take grape seed extract and fiber rich foods. Exercise regularly and practice meditation and yoga to avoid stress.
by jerry on August 31, 2011
cold sores on lips
Cold sores is caused by the herpes simplex virus that can be easily passed along through saliva. It can also affect the mouth, the face, the genitals and the skin as well as the buttocks and the anal area. Some people who do not exhibit symptoms but have the virus can still pass it even without the presence of blisters, which is why more care and awareness needs to be spread by health organizations in order to contain the herpes simplex virus.
Some people are not even aware that they are already infected, pregnant women can pass this to their children during birth which is why once detected they have to undergo caesarean section. Others can transfer this to their children through kissing; children can also get this by chewing on infected items around the house.
The common location where herpes simplex virus occurs is in the lips area, they are often called as cold sores or fever blisters. They can last there for several days and week depending on the severity of the transmission.
What makes the herpes or cold sores recur?
A weak immune system is one of the main culprits. The virus can remain stagnant and once the immune system weakens it can re appear. There is no exact explanation why the sores come back but according to observation the cold sores can be accompanied by fever, cold and flu. It can also be triggered by ultra violet radiation, too much sun exposure, stress, depression, unhealthy eating habits that can cause changes in the body as well as trauma to the area like scratching it. It can also be caused by menstruation, but at times it would recur for no apparent reason.
How can it be spread?
cold sores on lips
The herpes simplex virus is highly contagious. It can be spread through kissing caused by making out. It can be transmitted through any form of close contact especially with skin shedding. It can also be transmitted through infected salvia. They can also pass this through sexual contact, but this cannot be passed by using the towel or clothes of the individual infected.
