Oral herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus and is very common. Oral herpes is very contagious, and the initial infection causes very painful blisters inside the mouth that are sometimes accompanied by flu-like body aches and fever. Some people are not aware of the initial infection, due to the occasional lack of symptoms. After the initial infection, the virus lays dormant and is reactivated during periods of stress or illness, by certain foods and sometimes after a sunburn. Alternative treatments are effective at reducing the healing time during eruption of blisters and preventing future breakouts. Consult a holistically trained practitioner, such as a naturopathic physician, for best results.
Diet
According to Josepf Pizzorno, N.D., several common foods are linked with higher rates of reactivation of the herpes simplex virus. These foods typically have a high amount of the amino acid arginine in comparison to the amino acid lysine. Most common foods with a high arginine to lysine ratio include chocolate, peanuts and almonds. Often, breakouts also follow ingestion of foods the person is hypersensitive to. It is important to identify the specific foods causing a reaction and avoid them.
Nutritional Supplements
While the best way to stay healthy is dependent on a healthy whole foods diet, nutritional supplements can fill in the gaps between the diet and specific nutritional needs. Supplements that support the immune system and increase the amount of lysine available for use by the body are helpful in reducing the number of oral herpes breakouts. Pizzorno, recommends vitamin C, bioflavonoids, zinc and lysine. Consult a naturopathic physician for the appropriate dosages.
Topical Applications
During an active infection, the blisters, commonly referred to as cold sores, can be extremely painful. Ice can be helpful for reducing the pain during a breakout. Ice can be applied to the blister 10 minutes on, five minutes off, several times a day. Other topical preparations that may reduce the duration of the breakout include Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) cream, zinc sulfate 0.025 percent solution and glycyrrhetinic acid.
References
- The Merck Manual of Medical Information-Second Home Edition: Herpes Simplex Virus Infections
- Medline Plus: Herpes Simplex
- "Textbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D. and Michael T. Murray, N.D.; 2006
