Cold Sores & HSV Virus

Cold Sores

Cold sores (also called fever blisters) are prevalent worldwide, and are manifestations of HSV1 herpes virus ( more specifically herpes simplex virus-1) in the body. Cold sores are most commonly found on and around the lips, but can spread around the face, in the nose and even into the eye area. HSV1 is contracted through direct touching or fomites (inanimate objects touched by an infected individual where the virus can live for some time). Transmission through saliva is also possible. HSV1 is most likely to be spread when a cold sore is present and in the shedding stages. Because cold sores are thought of as cosmetic eyesores, many people search for a natural cold sore treatment.

Cold Sore Causes

Once you have contracted the HSV1 virus, it lays dormant in your nerve cells until it is ‘triggered’. In many cases, people with HSV1 will never get a cold sore. For others, the virus is ‘triggered’ once a month. Once triggered, the virus moves to the surface of the skin, damaging skin and causing a lesion on the skins surface. The triggering of the HSV1 virus can have many causes, some of the most common are:

•    Stress: Recent studies show that an increase in stress level is directly related to the frequency and timing of cold sore outbreaks.
•    UV: Prolonged duration in the sun can cause the HSV1 virus to manifest into a cold sore.
•    Chapped Lips: When your lips get chapped from wind or the cold, the cracking of the skin sometimes triggers the HSV1 virus and the onset of a cold sore.
•    Illness: When you get ill, your immune system is compromised.  The elements of your body’s immune system that usually keep the virus in check are no longer available.
•    Pregnancy: In some cases, pregnancy will increase the frequency of cold sore manifestation, probably due to a lowered immune system.

Cold Sore Symptoms

Cold sore symptoms are generally the same for everyone, the difference usually being the severity of the sore and the frequency of sore manifestations. Below are some of the symptoms of cold sores:

Day 1: A slightly tingly or itchy area on the lips (sometimes the nose or eyes). The area may start to become red and resemble a small lesion.

Day 2-4: The area becomes increasingly itchy or tingly. The red area now turns into a raised lesion and may increase in size. Cold sores are usually irregularly shaped.
Day 4-7: Cold sore becomes painful and a crust starts to form over the sore. Throbbing pain may be felt and the sores can be extremely painful if inadvertently touched.

Day 7+: The sore slowly starts to lower while it gets scaly to the touch. This is the replicating phase. Usually the sore is less painful at this point. The sore will slowly get smaller in size until it is gone completely.
Unless under rare circumstances, cold sores usually leave no visible marks or blemishes once they are gone. The HSV1 virus has no other notable symptoms until it is triggered and another cold sore emerges.

Cold Sore Treatment

There is no cure for cold sores, but there are a number of naturally occurring ingredients that can help reduce the frequency of cold sores while reducing their duration and symptoms. Some natural treatments are listed below:

•    Lysine: Lysine is an essential amino acid found in foods such as red meat, eggs, milk, wheat germ and fish. Recent studies have shown that it can significantly reduce cold sore symptoms, duration and frequency. When eating Lysine rich foods, avoid foods with the essential amino acid arginine (chocolate and peanuts), which will compete with Lysine for digestion.
•    Resveratrol: This compound is found naturally in grapes and has been shown to suppress cold sores if applied within 6 hours of the start of a cold sore manifestation.
•    Bee Propolis: Propolis is a resin like substance collected by bees and used in the hive. Studies have shown that propolis helps block the HSV1 virus from cells and reduces or blocks the replicating of the virus.
•    Wakame: Also called undaria pinnatifida, this seaweed is used in Japan to reduce cold sore duration and frequency of old sore outbreaks.

If you believe you have a cold sore, ask your doctor to confirm. Once you get one, chances are you will continue to get them throughout your life. The best way to prevent oncoming cold sores is to manage your triggers. When you get a cold sore, think back to your situation before it manifested. Were you stressed out about work? Did you take a long boat ride in the sun? Perhaps you went on a hike or camping, and your lips became chapped. Knowing your triggers can significantly reduce your cold sore frequency.