Cold Sores - Facts, Causes & Relief Remdies

Cold sores

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Facts

Also called labial herpes.
Herpes comes from the Greek word 'herpein' meaning 'to creep'.
The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes cold sores (fever blisters). The HSV Type 2 causes genital herpes. Nevertheless, both types can cause either oral or genital herpes.
A HSV infection shows off initially with symptoms like redness, itching, tingling and burning, then a cluster of tiny blisters (vesicles) develop after which the blisters dry up, crusting takes place and finally everything clears. All within a span of 5 to 10 days.
The common sites for outbreaks are the lips and face.
The virus is contagious and is passed from one infected person to another person through direct contact with infected skin, saliva or from the sharing of items (e.g. towel. toothbrush, razor, utensils) used by an infected person.
The first herpes outbreak (or what is known as primary herpes infection) may either produce no symptoms or cause fever, throat infection, an enlargement of local lymph nodes or painful swelling and open sores on the gums and inside the cheeks. Symptoms usually begin about a week after exposure to the HSV.
Cold sores are actually herpes recurrences that may begin with general malaise. However, some people may never face a recurrence.
Blisters should not be touched or risk spreading the virus to new places.
A weak immune system (due to emotional or physical stress, fever caused by infectious diseases including colds, poor nutrition), food allergy, fatigue, menstruation, exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays, physical irritation of the skin, trauma to the lips and other types of viral infections can spark off HSV activation.
Either very cold or very hot or windy weather conditions can also trigger cold sores, especially when the lips become extremely dry.
Once the HSV has gained entry into the body, it will reside in the body for life. This is because some of the HSV will land up in the nerve roots near the affected skin area and this actually prevents them from getting killed so the HSV will lie quietly dormant until further notice.
The HSV feeds on an amino acid called arginine, found in almonds, beer, chocolates, seeds, cereal grains, gelatin, peanuts and raisins. An amino acid called lysine competes with arginine for absorption and entry into tissue cells. Lysine will block off the absorption of arginine and thus stop any HSV activity.

The relief plan

Lemon balm (Latin name : Melissa officinalis), a member of the mint family is effective against oral and genital herpes. It is believed that the high levels of polyphenols found in the leaf are responsible for lemon balm's anti-viral action. Apply cream several times a day. Use regularly to reduce recurrence. Another alternative is to rub with crushed lemon balm leaves.
People with known allergies to members of the mint family should avoid lemon balm.
Noni exhibits powerful healing properties when consumed orally and applied topically. Author of 76 Ways to Use Noni Fruit Juice (Direct Source, 2001) suggests the use of a noni poultice paste or a noni compress that will help deal with the herpes plague. More about noni.
Aloe vera or tea tree oil can bring forward healing time.
Cayenne (derived from various dried hot peppers of the capsicum species) contains an active component called capsaicin which is effective in relieving herpes blister pain.
Supplementing with L-lysine daily can help cut down the frequency and severity of oral herpes. The recommended dosage for frequent outbreaks or a coming-soon outbreak is within 1000-3000 mg spread out into smaller doses within the day. Otherwise, a regular preventive maintenance dose is kept at 500 mg. Test it out to see which dose gives the best results.
Apply a cold and wet Earl Grey tea bag onto the sore. The tannins and bergamot oil present in the tea will encourage healing.
Vitamin E oil can offer pain relief.
Putting a drop of diethyl ether on the sores can hasten crusting.
Chase away the pain by rubbing an ice cube for a few minutes. Repeat this every 10 minutes.
Apply sunscreen on the lips can prevent cold sores caused by the sun.
The homeopathic remedy for cold sore is nat mur (natrum muriaticum).
According to Dr. John Heinerman's book Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Healing Juices (Prentice Hall, 1994), the use of one half of a cut unripe persimmon fruit helps clear up cold sores, recurrent herpes and fever blisters on the lips and inside the mouth.

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