Symptoms

Cold sores are painful *blisters that form on or around the lips. Beginning as a sore, *itchy, reddened bump, a cold sore develops into a fluid-filled blister. When the blister breaks and forms a crust, healing has begun. Most cold sores resolve themselves within about ten days. In more persistent cases, painful sores accompanied by light *fever and *fatigue develop inside the mouth. Cold sores can recur frequently, but tend to be less painful than the first. Fever blisters are cold sores that develop in conjunction with a fever. (see also Herpes Simplex)

Causes

Cold sores are due to the outbreak of a *herpes simplex virus which can lie dormant for long periods at a time. Initial contact with the herpes virus is entirely normal in childhood, as it is highly contagious through skin contact. For cold sores to recur, susceptibility must exist. A low *immune system is often a cause. Common triggers are exposure to the cold, wind or sun. Food *allergies can cause cold sores, especially nuts. Some women experience cold sores monthly with *menstruation. In many cases, cold sores mark a period when *stress levels are high.

Nutrition

A diet with a high lysine to arginine amino acid ratio helps fight cold sores. Arginine-rich foods which should be avoided are nuts, sesame and sunflower seeds, peas, lentils, cereals including oats, corn, buckwheat and barley, chocolate and coconut. Lysine-rich foods are fish, especially halibut, shrimp, poultry, milk, lima beans, mung bean sprouts and yeast.

Besides controlling the arginine to lysine balance, the diet should boost the immune system’s ability to fight the herpes virus. Avoid sugar, white-flour products and fats containing harmful trans-fatty acids like margarine and shortening. Instead, use unrefined, cold-pressed flax seed oil daily as a dressing for raw vegetable and fruit salads. Flax seed oil contains essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which help boost the immune system. Raw vegetables and fruits should be eaten at every meal for enzymes and vitamins A and C. Zinc also stimulates the immune system. Unroasted, unsalted sunflower and pumpkin seeds are good sources of zinc that can be added to any salad.

Seafood is a healing food for cold sores. It is rich is lysine and a good source of zinc. Seafood also provides iodine. The persistent recurrence of *blisters is sometimes due to an underfunctioning of the *thyroid due to iodine deficiency. Wheat germ provides vitamin E, which helps decrease *pain and shortens healing time.

Nutritional Supplements

Vitamin C supplemented at the onset helps prevent *blisters from forming. As an antiviral and *immune-system booster, it also speeds healing. Bioflavonoids should be taken with the vitamin C, as these nutrients support each other. Add a Lactobacillus acidophilus complex to replenish the healthy intestinal flora vital for a strong immune system.

Vitamin A is necessary to fight viral infections and spur healing. Vitamin E supports A and prevents *scarring. A vitamin E capsule can also be pierced and emptied onto the sores to relieve *pain and speed healing. The mineral zinc is also important for immune system support. Topical zinc and vitamin C also aid healing.

If *stress is the cause, add a B-vitamin supplement. These vitamins are essential to provide the nerves with support, as well as to combat the effects of stress on the body.

Daily Dosages:

• Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg five times daily


• Vitamin A, 25,000 IU


• Vitamin B complex, 50 mg twice daily


• Zinc, 15 mg twice daily


• L-lysine, 1,000 mg five times daily
  
• Lactobacillus acidophilus complex, three capsules or 1 tsp.


• Beta-carotene, 30,000 IU


• Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400-800 IU

Herbal Remedies

Support nutritional and external therapy with cleansing herbal teas and juices, along with topical ointments.

Source: Encyclopedia of Natural Healing by Siegfried Gursche and Zoltan Rona