Stop cold sores in their tracks and prevent further outbreaks

If you suffer from persistent cold sores youll be all too familiar with the discomfort they cause. Not only are they painful but they can also leave you feeling extremely self-conscious particularly when a conspicuous scab begins to form.

Up until now, most sufferers have resigned themselves to the fact that these embarrassing outbreaks are something they simply have to put up with from time-to-time especially as conventional antiviral treatments, like Acicolvir (Zovirax) cream and tablets, often have little effect and can cause side-effects including itchiness, tiredness and diarrhoea. Fortunately, this neednt be the case as youre about to discover.

What causes cold sores to develop?
Cold sores are caused by the Herpes simplex virus type one (HSV-1). When the virus enters your body it travels to the top end of your nerves and lies dormant, without causing symptoms.

However, with a suitable trigger such as stress, fever, menstruation, fatigue, alcohol, smoking, medication that suppresses the immune system, even sunshine the virus can quickly move back to your nerve endings and begin to replicate itself.

This is how cold sores start and their development is often preceded by a tingling or itching sensation that immediately sets alarm bells ringing for sufferers, who will recognise it as the onset of another outbreak. This is often accompanied by redness and swelling of the affected area, followed by the formation of a fluid-filled blister, which then breaks open, oozes and crusts over before eventually healing a week or so later.

How to speed up your recovery time and prevent cold sores
from returning
Vitamin C can cut the duration of an attack. Its important to maintain a strong immune system in order to strengthen your bodys resistance to the simplex virus. Vitamin C is well known for its immune-stimulating properties. When people with herpes infections were given just 200mg of vitamin C a day, together with 200mg of bioflavonoids, the duration of their symptoms was cut by 57 per cent, compared with the group taking a placebo (Oral Surg, 45:56-62, 1978).

Zinc is another immune booster and virus fighter, so it comes as no surprise that it has been found to prevent the recurrence of herpes infections (Med. Hypoth. 17:157-65, 1985). Take 30mg of zinc a day to prevent cold sores.

Echinacea bolsters your immune system. Available in tincture and capsule form and as a tea, Echinacea has been found to possess powerful antiviral and immune-boosting properties (Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000,(2):CD000530; Hopfenmuller W., Arzneimittelforschung,1994:44 1005-13). It needs to be taken as soon as symptoms first appear, or better still, when you feel under stress or pressure, which increases the risk of the infection occurring. Echinacea is taken three to four times a day, depending on the preparation see individual product labels for dosage instructions.
The bee-derived remedy that helps stop cold sores in their tracks. Applied to cold sores five times a day, Bio-Propolis ointment is able to relieve pain, prevent secondary infections and speed up the healing process (Journal of Clinical Research 2001, Vol 4, 65-75). Bio-Propolis contains a substance called propolis, which is made by honeybees and is a mix of resinous tree sap and beeswax.

Chemical analysis of propolis shows that the compound possesses effective antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. It also works as a local anaesthetic and can promote skin healing. All of these properties are responsible for its effectiveness against cold sores. Used early, its antiviral action can prevent a blister developing. Its antibacterial and anti-fungal action can prevent secondary infection or fungal contamination, while its anti-inflammatory action has a local anaesthetic effect, relieving pain and discomfort. Its anti-microbial action helps provide the best possible conditions in which the skin can heal.

One trial, involving 50 cold sore sufferers, showed that Bio-Propolis speeds up recovery time. Half of the patients were given propolis four times a day, whilst the remaining 25 received a placebo. The researchers found that cold sores had an average lifespan of just 3.84 days for those taking propolis, compared with 8.36 days for those taking the placebo (Szmeja Z, Kulczynski B and Konopacki K. Otolaryng. Pol., 1987, XLI, 3). Apply Bio-Propolis ointment to the affected area five times a day. Propolis should not be used if you have an allergy to bee products.  

4 Simple Ways To Prevent An Outbreak
1. Avoid re-infection after youve suffered an attack. Always wash your hands after touching cold sores which are highly contagious dont touch your eyes and make sure you dont share items used for personal hygiene. And its vital you throw away your toothbrush if youve suffered a blister recently. Toothbrushes act as a magnet to the virus, harbouring it for days and causing re-infections easily.

2. Take steps to reduce stress. After an infection, the virus can remain dormant and be reactivated when your immune system is sluggish, or when you are under physical or emotional stress. Yoga is an incredibly powerful way of helping your body learn how to relax and rid your mind of anxious thoughts. For details of yoga teachers near you, contact The British Wheel of Yoga on 01529 306851.

3. Eating lots of immune-boosting foods can reduce the recurrence of cold sores. Make sure your diet contains lots of garlic, zinc and the amino acid lysine, which help boost immunity and suppress HSV (J. bacterial. 87:609-13,1964). Lysine is found in high protein foods like lamb, fish and chicken, whereas zinc is present in high amounts in seafood, hard cheese, nuts and seeds.

4. An easy way to avoid a common trigger.  Too much exposure to the sun increases your risk of developing a cold sore. Dont worry, that doesnt mean you need to hide indoors during the summer months, instead simply apply sunblock to your lips and face before prolonged exposure to the sun to help prevent an outbreak.