News & tips on health, fitness and nutrition

Friday, February 8, 2019

Home Remedy Treatments for Cold Sores

Cold sores can be unsightly. That's the tough reality of these extremely painful blemishes. Still, while you can't do much about the way a cold sore looks, you can do a few things to help decrease discomfort, speed healing, and keep it from coming back. You can even take steps to prevent passing on your cold sore to others. Here are some home remedies:

Lysine
Lysine is an essential amino acid, meaning that we must get it through food or supplements because the body can't make it on its own. It's used to make protein, which we need to produce infection-fighting antibodies, enzymes, hormones, and body tissues. Lysine has been found to inhibit the spread of the herpes simplex virus.

Although we get lysine through food sources such as red meat, milk, eggs, cheese, wheat germ, brewers yeast, and fish, what appears to be most important is the ratio of lysine to another amino acid, arginine. They compete with each other for absorption in the intestines, so the less arginine there is in the diet, the more lysine is absorbed. Foods that are rich in arginine include chocolate, peanuts, and almonds.

In addition to these temporary dietary changes:
Lysine supplements (e.g. 1,000 mg taken three times a day) may help to shorten the duration of cold sores.


Foods containing arginine (AVOID):
  • gelatin
  • nuts
  • chocolate
Foods containing lysine (EAT MORE):
  • milk
  • soybeans
  • meat
  • lentils
  • spinach
Lysine ointment - a pilot study by the Southern California University looked at the effectiveness of a lysine-containing ointment in 30 people. Researchers found that the ointment produced full resolution in 40% of participants by the third day and in 87 percent by the end of the sixth day. No adverse effects were reported.

Cover it with a protective petroleum-based product. Covering it with petroleum jelly will speed healing and help protect it from secondary infection with bacteria.

Don't cover it with makeup. Unfortunately, attempting to camouflage a cold sore with makeup often aggravates the problem, as the chemicals in makeup can make the sore worse. And don't share your lipstick or makeup either.

Change your toothbrush. Get a new toothbrush after the blister has formed and again after the attack has cleared up. Toothbrushes can harbor the virus.

Reach for aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. Cold sores can be quite painful. Over-the-counter painkillers can help.

Avoid salty or acidic foods. Things like potato chips or citrus fruits can further irritate cold sores and add to the pain.



People with viral diseases can benefit from a diet high in lysine and low in arginine. In the following chart, the foods at the top of the list have higher lysine to arginine ratios.

Diet and vitamin supplements may influence viral replication. A total approach to nutrition should be used. Use this chart as a guide or a reference only, and see what happens. Look at the absolute figures for lysine and arginine content. There is no reason to avoid a food if it has a low lysine/arginine ratio and only a few milligrams of arginine in it.

From: "Ratio of Lysine to Arginine in Certain Foods," James M. Scutero
Transcribed and calculated using data from Agricultural Handbook,
1-23, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Weight (gm)Lys (mg)Arg (mg)Ratio Lys/Arg
Margarine14.1933.000
Plain Yogurt2277062372.979
Fruit Yogurt, lowfat2278102722.978
Plain Yogurt, skim22711603912.967
Plain Yogurt, lowfat22710603592.953
Swiss Cheese287332632.787
Gruyere Cheese287682762.783
Edam Cheese287542732.762
American Cheese Spread284271552.755
Gouda Cheese287522732.755
Whey, dry, sweet7.577282.750
Blue Cheese285262022.604
Provolone Cheese287502902.586
Papaya45476302.533
Brie Cheese285252082.524
Camermbert Cheese285011992.518
Parmesan Cheese289373732.512
Parmesan Cheese, grated5192772.494
Gjetost Cheese28231932.484
Goat Milk2447082912.433
Brick Cheese286022482.427
Muenster Cheese286062502.424
Beets13672302.400
Limburger Cheese284751982.399
Tilsit Cheese285782412.398
Port du salut Cheese285632352.396
Processed Swiss Cheese286962932.375
Cream Cheese28192812.370
Mozzarella Cheese, part s286992952.369
Processed American Cheese286232632.369
Mozzarella Cheese285592362.369
Neufchatel Cheese282531072.364
Butter14.1942.250
Colby Cheese285612542.209
Monterey Jack Cheese285782622.206
Cheshire Cheese285512502.204
Cheddar Cheese285882672.202
Buttermilk2456793092.197
Skim Milk2456633022.195
Half and Half Cream2425682592.193
Sherbet193171782.192
Condensed Milk, sweetened30619208762.192
Chocolate Milk2506292872.192
Nonfat Milk, dry120344015702.191
Lowfat Milk, 2%2446442942.190
Evaporated Milk1266813112.190
Ice Cream1333811742.190
Whole Milk2446372912.189
Whole Milk, dry128267012202.189
Nonfat Milk, dry, instant6818908642.188
Ice Milk1314091872.187
Whipping Cream, heavy2383871772.186
Evaporated Milk, skim1287633492.186
Whipping Cream, light2394111882.186
Ice Cream, rich1483271502.180
Mango30085392.179
Whipped Cream, pressurize60152702.171
Apricot114103482.146
Coffee Cream1532152.133
Apple1501782.125
Ricotta Cheese246329015502.123
Ricotta Cheese, part skim246332015702.115
Pear, dried175116562.071
Eggnog2547583782.005
Applesauce, unsweetened24424122.000
Crabapple, slices11028142.000
Loquat16212.000
Apple, dried6437191.947
Pear18023121.917
Apricot, dried3589491.816
Cottage Cheese, creamed210212011901.782
Cottage Cheese, Lowfat 2%226251014101.780
Cottage Cheese, dry145202011401.772
Fig, dried1892281311.740
Fig6519111.727
Human Milk2461681051.600
Avocado2721891191.588
Salmon85155010001.550
Swordfish85155010001.550
Haddock8514809611.540
Smelt8513808971.538
Snapper85160010401.538
Pollock8515209891.537
Eel8514409381.535
Catfish8514209251.535
Anchovy, in oit, drained205313461.535
Whitefish8514909711.535
Tuna, in water165448029201.534
Cod8513909061.534
Flat fish, flounder and s8514709591.533
Mackerel8514509461.533
Shark85164010701.533
Carp8513909071.533
Pike8515009791.532
Herring8514009141.532
Sardines, in oil, drained245423541.531
Bass8513809021.530
Perch8514509481.530
Bluefish85156010201.529
Halibut85162010601.528
Tomato12341271.519
Turnips13047311.516
Tomato juice24354361.500
Soybean sprouts703862661.451
Canadian Style Bacon454737051001.445
Wild pheasant371747052401.426
Pork Spareribs454473033401.416
Tomato paste2622822001.410
Liver cheese283342371.409
Chicken, dark meat, w/o s109186013201.409
Chicken, light meat w/o s88173012301.407
Chicken neck792982121.406
Summer sausage233182281.395
Pineapple15539281.393
Pork leg454755055301.365
Pork loin chop151195014301.364
Pork Shoulder454714052401.363
Potato1501901401.357
Chicken breast181250018701.337
Cream of Mushroom soup244127951.337
Turkey noodle soup2442121591.333
Celery12032241.333
Chicken drumstick11011608721.330
Potato, baking2022832141.322
Beef Flank steak454727055001.322
Chicken gumbo2441611221.320
Chicken noodle soup2412191661.319
Beef Round steak454732055501.319
Beef noodle soup2442611981.318
Vegetable w/beef soup2443442611.318
Cream of Asparagus soup244112851.318
Porterhouse steak454656049801.317
Beef T-bone steak454633048101.316
Beef Sirloin steak454688052301.315
Knockwurst686344821.315
Beef Rib roast454605046001.315
Beef Short ribs454543041301.315
Beef Chuck roast454690052501.314
Beef Tenderloin454699053201.314
Persimmon20055421.310
Squash, summer13085651.308
Chicken leg231247018901.307
Chicken, light meat116192014701.306
Ham, boneless454675051701.306
Chicken canned, boned142250019201.302
Turkey, dark meat152262020201.297
Cream of chicken soup2442151661.295
Chicken heart6.179611.295
Turkey, light meat180354027401.292
Bratwurst, ckd859107061.289
Turkey, canned boned142304023601.288
Italian sausage, ckd6710207921.288
Pork sausage282521961.286
Wild quail405666051801.286
Chicken thigh120131010201.284
Chicken, dark meat160215016801.280
Goose, domesticated320401031501.273
Pork and beef sausage131411111.270
Bologna, beef and pork282501981.263
Peach, dried1301511201.258
Black bean soup2474153311.254
Bean w/ frankfurters soup2504153311.254
Peach11520161.250
Corned Beef, brisket454510041001.244
Pastrami283753021.242
Bologna, beef282542051.239
Frankfurter, beef453893141.239
Ground beef, regular113156012601.238
Cream of celery soup24473591.237
Ground beef, lean113167013501.237
Chicken liver32353521.236
Duck liver446245051.236
Turkey liver102154012501.232
Mortadella283582911.230
Goose liver9411609431.230
Plum5.590741.216
Green beans11097801.213
Chicken back17710909001.211
Beef smoked, chopped284673861.210
Pork Bacon454290024001.208
Beef, dried286735571.208
Brotwurst283232681.205
Polish sausage283152621.202
Salami, hard101821521.197
Bologna, pork283412851.196
Chicken wing906985851.193
Braunschweiger282582171.189
Duck, domesticated287261022101.181
Lentil sprouts775484701.166
Lettuce, romaine5658501.160
Lettuce, iceberg7560521.154
Caviar, black and red162932541.154
Cauliflower100108961.125
Vienna sausage161271131.124
Liver113157014201.106
Guava11221191.105
New England Clam Chowder2442512291.096
Cream of potato soup24483761.092
Spinach5598901.089
Kale671321231.073
Chicken rice soup2412512341.073
Kielbasa282862671.071
Frankfurter, beef and por454073821.065
Whole Egg504103881.057
Egg White332061951.056
Whole Egg, dried51551471.054
Watermelon16099941.053
Cabbage, chinese7062591.051
Corn1542102001.050
Sweet potato1301051001.050
Turnip greens5554521.038
Abalone85109010601.028
Oysters844444331.025
Clams180172016801.024
Scallops85106010401.019
Banana17555541.019
Asparagus1341941921.010
Oat flakes485835791.007
Mayonnaise185140014001.000
Vegetarian vegetable soup24199991.000
Beet greens3820201.000
Endive5032321.000
Leeks12497971.000
Pumpkin24596961.000
Shrimp85150015100.993
Crab85135013600.993
pea soup w/ham2536967030.990
Lima beans, cooked1707657750.987
Egg Yolk171891930.979
Okra10082840.976
Broccoli881241280.969
Chicken gizzard374654840.961
Strawberries14937390.949
Collards186140720.931
Minestrone soup2411831980.924
Carrots11044480.917
Dates8350550.909
Peppers, sweet10038420.905
Radish4516180.889
Watercress1041722000.860
Swiss chard3636420.857
Eggplant8242500.840
Tomato soup24451610.836
Cabbage, common7040480.833
Wheat germ180133017900.743
Peas, green1464636250.741
Brussels sprouts881301780.730
Tangerine11627370.730
Orange18062850.729
Onions, green100460.667
Mushrooms7048720.667
Cucumber10422360.611
Wheat granules28.41011690.598
Corn grits242681140.596
Snails85125021000.595
Wheat, shredded23.6791330.594
Wheat flakes331011710.591
Cream of wheat251981660.590
Pistachios, shelled128164027900.588
Corn, puffed28.4651120.580
Wheat, puffed1249850.576
Squash, winter20590215900.567
Bran flakes471773140.564
Elderberries14538680.559
Plantain148891600.556
Oats, puffed28.41753200.547
Oatmeal234781470.531
Cashews1602464700.523
Chestnuts, fresh1602464700.523
Rice, puffed1438730.521
Yams200891910.466
Pumpkin seeds & squash140253055700.454
Garlic38190.421
Macadamia nuts13443412000.362
Blackberries14517490.347
Blueberries14517490.347
Onions, mature160902620.344
Grapes, slip skin15313420.310
Grapes, adherent skin16024780.308
Peanuts144145050500.287
Peanut butter151766130.287
Coconut, shredded801184370.270
Almonds14294635400.267
Rutabaga140552070.266
Pecans10831511900.265
Sesame seeds150124049900.248
Hickory nuts15702980.235
Brazil nuts14075733500.226
Tahini15823780.217
Grape juice253251190.210
Tangerine juice24717840.202
Pine nuts2825613300.192
Orange juice248221170.188
Hazelnuts13545924800.185
Walnuts10046625200.185

******

World Health Organization (WHO)   (10/29/150

An estimated 3.7 billion people –two thirds of the global population under the age of 50– are infected with ‪herpes‬ simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Herpes is a lifelong infection, which often has mild or no symptoms but can be detected by the presence of antibodies in the blood.

  • Herpes simplex virus is categorized into two types: 1 and 2. Both are highly infectious and incurable. HSV-1 is primarily transmitted by oral-oral contact and in most cases causes orolabial herpes or “cold sores” around the mouth. 
  • Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is almost entirely sexually transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, causing genital herpes.

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