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Foods To Avoid With Cold Sores Infection

June 16th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Common sense will actually guide you regarding the foods to avoid with a cold sores infection. Salty foods are foremost in the list of foods to avoid with a cold sores outbreak because pure salt can be very painful and irritating for open wounds and sores. Although some people recommend a saltwater dip during a colds sores outbreak, pure salt can be extremely painful when applied to the sores.

Citrusy fruits are also among the foods to avoid with cold sores infection. The acidic nature of all citrusy fruits can sting if applied on the blisters which are the results of the herpes simplex virus. To avoid unnecessary pain and discomfort, eliminate citrus fruits from your diet if you have a cold sores infection or recurrence. If you can stand the pain, then do not let it bother you.

There are some studies that have shown that other foods to avoid with a cold sores infection are those with high levels of the amino acid arginine. This is supposedly something that can aggravate the blisters and increase their numbers. Foods that contain arginine are chocolates, gelatin, seeds, nuts, coconuts, oatmeal, eggplants, mushrooms, tomatoes, beer, sugar cola and many others. These are just a few of the foods to avoid with cold sores problems. Arginine is said to be an amino acid from which the herpes simplex virus positively thrives on.

Some researchers have also come up with the idea that arginine does not necessarily need to be eliminated from your diet when you are experiencing a cold sores outbreak. Instead, balance these foods with an input of lysine, which can reduce the appearance of the small red blisters. Considering that there is already a list of foods to avoid with a cold sores infection, you might be better off minimizing your intake of these foods to see if this works for you.

Facts About Cold Sores That We All Need To Know

June 11th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Although there are many different cures and treatments for cold sores, facts about cold sores state that they heal by themselves over a period of around two weeks. The various creams and ointments some dermatologists use to treat cold sores are actually not needed unless you do not like seeing yourself with small groups or patches or red blisters all over you lips, mouth and nose.

Some people may no tolerate the pain and discomfort brought about by cold sores. Although, treating cold sores with creams and ointments is only a difference of a few days, the treatments can help ease the discomfort. Other facts about cold sores healing and treatment are that once the blisters break, they may scab in as little as two days. This is one sign that you are on your way to being cured.

Other Facts About Cold Sores

More facts about cold sores are that these can recur in a person and that the recurrence is not necessarily just once. The reason why cold sores can recur in a person is because the virus hides or sort of lies dormant in the nerves until such time that a trigger wakes it up. Triggers can be stress (both mental and physical), a sickness, trauma to the skin near where the virus lies dormant, an altered or lowered immune system and even exposure to ultra violet rays of the sun.

Oral herpes or cold sores is highly contagious just by contact with fluids from an infected individuals. If the blisters are still in an active stage (red, swollen and sore) they can be highly contagious. Whereas, when the blisters have scabbed over and are now dark brown in color, the risk of infection is considerably less.

These facts about cold sores can make it sound like a dreaded disease that can make you miserable. The truth of the matter is that these facts about cold sores can help you know more about how the virus works and how to avoid getting infected with oral herpes otherwise known as cold sores.

Doctors Define Cold Sores and Its Causes

June 6th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Many cold sore sufferers can define cold sores and its causes due to a lifetime of outbreaks. They can also testify to the stigma they have felt picking up prescriptions for antiviral medications such as Valtrex, which is used to treat both cold sores and genital herpes. Both are highly contagious. Both have no cure. Both types of herpes can lie dormant, but still be transmitted though there are no actual sores present. Genital herpes (HSV-2) is sexually transmitted but cold sores (HSV-1) are most commonly transmitted by oral contact such as kissing, or using someone else’s lipstick or toothbrush.

Causes of Cold Sores

Doctors define cold sores and its causes as the following: “The virus lies latent (dormant) in the body and is reawakened (reactivated) by factors such as stress, sunburn, or fever from a wide range of infectious diseases including colds. Recurrences are less common after age 35. Sunscreen (SPF 15 or more) on the lips prevents recurrences of herpes from sunburn.” This quote is from the website www.medterms.com. Now that it has helped to define cold sores and its causes, it is important to know how to prevent cold sores. To prevent cold sores, it is important to avoid all the main causes. Since fever, sun exposure, colds, stress, and other physical or emotional trauma cause cold sores, care should be taken to get plenty of rest, drink water, avoid the sun, maintain a healthy diet, and learn to manage stress. This will help prevent cold sore outbreaks.

The Appearance Of Cold Sores On The Skin

June 1st, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

The appearance of cold sores on the skin is caused by the virus which is activated due to certain catalysts and sometimes even the lack of catalyst. The virus may lay dormant for years and then suddenly come alive. Although cold sores generally appear in the corners of the mouth or the lip area, cold sores on the skin around the mouth can appear from time to time.

Stages

The distinguishing characteristics of cold sores around the skin from other mouth sores are its appearance. New cold sore outbreaks will form in the same vicinity as the previous one. The cold sore on the skin will be 10 to 12 days. On the first day the patient will usually feel a little feverish, irritable, tired and will have difficulty swallowing.

On the third day, the lesion will become more visible and the pain will not go unnoticed. It will be difficult to eat as the sore will be irritating. The fourth day will bring forth the watery part because the sores will rupture. This phase of cold sores on the skin is the most painful one because the sensitivity will be heightened. After sometime the sore will become a scab, and then it will heal.

The Pain

As mentioned, fever blisters are really painful. It is triggered by the intense heat of your body. The virus is sort of incubated, and that’s why it activates. A degree of discomfort is associated with every stage of the cold sore.

Is It Contagious?

Cold sores on the skin are highly contagious. Kissing and any contact should be refrained. Incidentally although it sounds a bit disconcerting, as an added precaution you should separate your plates, glass and utensils when having a fever blister. Skin to skin contact or transfer from a person to an object to another person is the frequent cause of cold sore on the skin.

Cure?

Cold Sores do not have cures. You can however prevent it from repeatedly erupting. Studies have shown that people who have cold sores have a vitamin B12 deficiency. So doctors have recommended that people who frequently get fever blisters should take a supplement coupled with folic acid.

What You Should Know About Cold Sores And Pregnancy

May 27th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Cold Sores are caused by a virus called the simplex herpes virus. 90% percent of hour population has this, so if you’re one of them, then be careful! It is a very inconvenient and irritable kind of illness. It usually manifests itself as a lesion in the mouth area which can grow bigger if left to its own devices. A cold sore will usually run its course for 10 to 14 days.

Cold Sores And Pregnancy: What Happens To The Baby?

For a healthy baby, any illness you may have should be immediately brought to the attention of your attending physician. Cold Sores and pregnancy does not happen everyday. Although it is common knowledge that whatever you are feeling your baby is likely to be feeling it, in the case of cold sores it does not always follow.

Thank god, the simplex herpes virus is not genetically inherited. To prevent the cold sore from going to your baby your doctor will give you a c section delivery rather than a normal one. For this to happen, you will have to have a current out break of cold sore.

The good thing is that your contaminating the baby will be slim. Another form of herpes however is more deadly for your baby. It is called the neo natal herpes and it has caused 1000 deaths among newborns. If your husband or partner is affected with a cold sore try to abstain or use protection during intercourse.

Although cold sores and pregnancy is something that’s not life threatening, your baby may still have to stay in the nursery long after you have checked out. The pediatrician may want to give him a round of medication to make sure that he won’t get sick.

As a mother you should always be wary of anything that could be detrimental to your health. Your baby is dependant upon your taking care of your body and taking care of him. Do not be selfish. Think of your baby, not of yourself. Follow the Doctors orders and do not self medicate. Although cold sores are commonly related with a lack of Vitamin B12, you shouldn’t self prescribe because Vitamin B12 is not always good for your baby. Before anything else, when it comes to cold sores and pregnancy, consult your doctor!

Symptom Checker: Cold Sores and Fever

May 22nd, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Cold sores and fever frequently appear together. Because of this, cold sores are also called fever blisters. Cold sores are actually caused by a virus called herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). This is not the sexually transmitted herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2, or genital herpes) but many lifelong HSV-1 cold sore sufferers can testify to the stigma they have felt picking up a prescription for the antiviral prescription Valtrex, which is used to treat both types of herpes. The virus can be hereditary or transmitted by physical contact. Kissing, using someone’s lipstick or toothbrush, or other oral contact are common methods of transmitting HSV-1.

Cold sores are common and need to be treated at the first sign. The herpes virus can have a delayed response, meaning those exposed to herpes may not see an outbreak for up to 20 days after exposure, which can make it difficult to identify the source. Herpes can also be spread even after the skin has healed. The virus lies dormant in the nerves of the skin around the mouth until the next onset.

Treatment for Cold Sores and Fever

To treat cold sores and fever, it is important to understand the causes to prevent cold sores from occurring. Fever, sun exposure, dehydration, poor nutrition, stress, menstruation, and other physical or emotional trauma cause cold sores. If cold sores are not caught at the first sign, sufferers can expect them to last 7- 10 days on average. Most cold sores, even when brought on by fever, can be treated at home. Topical creams can be applied to speed the healing process. Cold sores and fever sufferers should take care of themselves by eating well, avoiding the sun, resting, drinking plenty of water, and getting at least 8 hours of sleep at night. If cold sores do not go away or go away and immediately reoccur this may be a sign of a compromised immune system and medical treatment should be sought immediately. If cold sores and fever over 100.5 degrees occur together, medical treatment should be sought. Besides taking care of themselves, cold sore sufferers should take care to avoid children, the elderly, cancer and AIDS patients or others with compromised immune systems as these individuals are highly susceptible to infection.

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