Cold Sores
Category: Ailment
Cold Sores also called fever blisters, are clusters of small red blisters on the lip and outer edge of the mouth. Approximately 30 million Americans suffer from cold sores.

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). They are common and quite contagious. Normally infection occurs in childhood when someone is kissed by a family member who has a cold sore. The virus passes through the skin, travels up a nerve. It will hide in the nerve root until it is activated. The cold sore virus is normally dormant in 90 per cent of the people infected with it.

The cause of the activation can be anything from change of diet, colds, flu, stress, menstrual periods, emotional upsets, fatigue, bright sunlight and even cold winds. These are normally the times when the body is weakened and the immunity is low.

Diet can play a significant factor in activating cold sores. Avoid chocolate, nuts, and gelatin (Jell-O). These foods contain arginine. A substance that has been known to activate the dormant herpes simplex virus.

When the virus is activated, it travels back to the skin (normally the lips and the outer edge of the mouth) causing a quite noticeable sore which is itchy and painful.

Cold sores usually last for between 7 to 10 days. Signs and symptoms may not start for as long as 20 days after exposure to the herpes smplex virus. Then small red blisters will start to form on th eouter lips. They break and will have small amounts of ooze. A yellow crust will form and finally break off to reveal pink skin that will normally heal without a scar.

Once you get a cold sore, they are normally incurable, but there are ways to reduce their frequency and limit the duration of an occurence.

Prevention
The best way to prevent cold sores is to avoid the triggers that activate the cold sores.

However, certain foods may also help to ward against cold sores. Eg. Edible seaweed. The University of California's Naval Biosciences Lab in Berkely conducted tests that showed that seaweed extract stopped the spread of herpes simplex virus by 50 per cent.

Boosting your immunity may also be helpful. Get regular exercise, consume foods rich in vitamin A, C, E, and zinc. Drink lots of water, have adequate rest and eat more fruits and vegetables.