Preventive Tips and Cold Sore Home Remedies

Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters that usually appear on the mouth. In most cases, the condition is due to an infection by HSV or herpes simplex virus 1, but some people may contract the condition due to herpes simplex virus 2 as well. The latter is usually the cause of genital herpes or simply known as herpes. Cold sore conditions are very common and are affecting almost 80% of the US population the reason behind this is that the condition is highly contagious and it could be transferred to another person through kissing or close contact.

HSV could be easily transmitted from an infected individual even if he never had cold sores before. Some of the common symptoms of the condition include colds, fever, and flu and skin trauma. Individuals infected by HSV should remember that the virus needs arginine for replication. That is why it is necessary to restrict the consumption of foods containing this type of amino acid. Another type of amino acid known to work against cold sore is lysine, however, is very effective against the virus. If you are unaware of the foods that you have to avoid to prevent cold sores, these foods include the following:

* Nuts
* Gelatin
* Seeds
* Oats
* Crabs and oysters
* Brown rice
* Lentils
* Peas and beans
* Peanut butter
* Oranges and grapes
* Onions
* Refined cereals
* Jams and jellies
* Coffee
* Chocolates
* Pickles
* Vinegar
* Processed fruits

However, there are foods that are helpful against the conditions as well. These foods should be consumed regularly to prevent cold sores. Some of these foods are as follows:

* Cheese
* Yogurt
* Goat milk
* Tuna in water
* Salmon
* Soy products
* Beef
* Cod

Other foods that contain high amount of lysine are spinach, liver and avocado. However, you should know that these foods also contain high amount of arginine, which means it might not be beneficial for the condition.

Tips on How to Get Eliminate of Cold Sores

* One of the most common mistake cold sore-affected individuals do is picking or squeezing the blisters. You should know that this practice has to be avoided, as it will only help the virus spread on other areas of the face and prolong the duration of the condition. So as much as possible, make sure that you avoid scratching or touching the sores.

* Rinse your mouth frequently using a mouthwash with no alcohol contents to reduce irritation.

* Hold an ice cube wrapped in cloth on the sores to soothe the pain and reduce itching.

* Wash your hands thoroughly before applying medications into the affected area to prevent the virus’ capability of spreading to other areas in the face.

* Do not let the condition stress you, as stress can only worsen the condition. Instead, give your body enough time to rest and heal.

ll these are helpful against cold sores. The tips provided above can help ensure speedy recovery against the condition. If the sores are causing extreme pain and painkillers cannot provide relief against it, it would be best to talk to your health care provider to know how you can handle the condition, reduce the pain and relieve yourself from the discomfort due to cold sores.