COLD SORE

What are cold sores?

Cold sores are small, irritating, fluid filled blisters, which usually appear on the lips, though they can also develop as ulcers on the gums or inner cheeks, or in the nostril lining.  Initial symptoms of a cold sore include a burning, tingling, or itching sensation around the edges of the lips or nose as a cold sore begins to form.  Small red pimples develop within a few hours followed by the formation of fluid filled blisters.  The blisters itch and hurt and are very annoying.   After about seven days the cold sore viral blisters form thin yellow crusts, indicating that the virus has run its course and healing has begun. The cold sore virus can be spread by touch to the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and genitals and onto broken skin.

What causes cold sores?

They are usually caused by the herpes virus, which is a family of viruses that cause skin eruptions or blisters.   Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1), which is different from the one responsible for genital herpes. This one is called herpes simplex virus 2 – which is transmitted through sexual contact. 
The cold sore virus lies dormant in nerve cells after the first outbreak and, therefore, new sores can erupt as frequently as every few weeks, or as infrequently as every few years! The sores will reappear when the immune system is depressed after suffering from, say, a cold, but they can also be triggered by fatigue, menstruation or stress, or by exposure to sun, wind and salt water.

What to do about cold sores:

The treatment of cold sores is aimed at relieving symptoms.  To reduce the risk of secondary infection you can wash the sores with soap and water.  Ointments that inhibit the herpes virus may be helpful in speeding healing.  Some helpful supplements are lysine, an amino acid which suppresses the growth of HSV1 when taken orally, or applied in the form of a cream.  Melissa cream, which is made from the antiviral herb Melissa officianalis (lemon balm), can be used at the first sign of tingling.  Echinacea and goldenseal are both natural antivirals and antibiotics. Tea tree oils is also very effective as a natural anti-viral treatment.Supplements can be safely used with over the counter antiviral creams.
SPOREgone contains a range of natural anti-viral herbs.