Cold Sores

Natural remedies

Cold sores are also called fever blisters or oral herpes. They appear around the lips after being exposed to a virus, the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). There are several stages of development: from an itchy and red bump to a blister with a crust on the ulcer. Most cold sores disappear after 10 days, but once you had the virus, it does not go away. It stays dormant in your body until something triggers it again. Cold sores are very contagious and also very common. 

What could be the causes of cold sores?
Remedies for cold sores: what kind of food?
Do supplements help to get rid of cold sores?
Are there herbal home remedies for cold sores?
Which essential oils can be used for external cold sore treatment?
What are the common homeopathic remedies for fever blisters?
What about tissue salts for the treatment of herpes infection?
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What could be the causes of cold sores?

You have been in contact with the herpes simplex virus 1. Initial contact with the virus is normal but when cold sores recur, it is usually due to a low immune system
Cold sores can be triggered by cold weather, stress, wind, sun, food allergies (especially nuts), or menstruation
Low thyroid function could have a link as well

Remedies for cold sores: what kind of food?

Foods rich in L-Lysine but avoid foods rich in L-Arginine such as nuts, sesame, lentils, peas, sunflower seeds, oats, corn, barley, buckwheat, chocolate, and coconut
Foods rich in iodine (if thyroid is underfunctioning), especially seafood, fish, kelp, and onions
Foods rich in vitamin E and in zinc for healing
Foods rich in vitamin A to fight infections

Also see healthy skin diet for a selection of the most nutrient-rich foods.

Do supplements help to get rid of cold sores?

Vitamin C with bioflavonoids prevent blisters from forming and speed healing
Probiotics and zinc strengthen the immune system
Vitamin A helps healing and get rid of cold sores
Vitamin E speeds healing and prevents scarring
Complex vitamin B if stress is a trigger to cold sores
L-lysine helps fight cold sores
Colloidal silver (internally and externally) is also one of the good remedies for cold sores

Also see skin nutrients