HEALTH Show cold sores the door

Close the door on cold sores


Skin Specialist
Bernie Fahy

Cold sores, also known as fever blisters or herpes, are extremely common infections of the lip and mouth. The virus responsible, herpes simplex is transmitted through saliva by kissing or communal eating and drinking utensils. The shared use of razors, towels, toothbrushes and even mobile phones can all spread this virus too.
Epidemiologists agree that around 90 per cent of the population gets infected by herpes simplex virus prior to the age of 20. When first exposed to the infection, sores may not even develop. The virus remains in the nerve tissues of the face lying dormant. In time, triggering events can exacerbate the virus and cause a sore outbreak.

Triggers
Typical triggers include emotional stress – psychological upset often debilitates our immune systems thus disabling its ‘memory’ of the virus. The virus seizes its opportunity and multiplies, and sores appear on the surface of the skin.
Other outside factors, including sunburn, windburn and dental work, can also combine with stress to result in an outbreak. Menstruation in women can also contribute to imbalance of the immune system, causing a cold-sore response on the face.
Other viral infections such as the common cold (hence the name cold sores) can compromise the immune system and bring them on. Being generally run down or depressed also plays a part in manifesting this unsightly skin condition.

Symptoms
Itching, burning and tingling sensations precede sore outbreak, which manifests itself as painful fluid-filled blisters that crust after bursting. Small blisters can merge over time to form one large infection. The mouth, lips and gums are the most common sites. As if things weren’t bad enough, a feverish feeling can sometimes accompany this condition.

Treatments
There are pharmaceutical treatments available for treating this complaint. However, these can be expensive, and the virus can become resistant with use over time – five per cent of strains of the virus will not respond to anti-viral treatments. Ironically, it’s those that sufferer from these resistant strains need effective relief the most. Babies born with herpes infections, people with AIDS or HIV, organ transplant patients and chemotherapy recipients are the most vulnerable in our society.
Scientific thought at present theorises that all existing drug treatments will need to be replaced as the virus evolves over time. Natural remedies are effective and do not run the risk of creating resistant strains of the herpes simplex. Vitamin C and selenium are helpful as antioxidants – however, remember to always seek professional guidance with regards supplementation and natural remedies.
Antiviral chemicals are found naturally in creams containing lemon balm, tea tree oil and liquorice. Lip balms made from rhubarb and sage have proven to be effective treatments. Mask M containing zinc is excellent for healing infected areas.

Diet
Diet plays a large part in boosting our immune systems and preventing the onset of a cold sore outbreak. Foods that contain a high concentration of the amino acid lysine are recommended – chicken, fish, turkey and most vegetables tick the lysine box.