Although very common, cold sores -- those ugly and sometimes painful blisters around the mouth -- can be embarrassing. Caused by the herpes simplex virus 1, cold sores are highly contagious. When you have one, you can't share drinks or kiss and you must be careful not touch the cold sore and then touch another part of your body, spreading the infection. While there is no cure for HSV-1, some supplements may prevent future outbreaks. Consult your doctor before taking a cold sore supplement.
Lysine
Taking 1 to 3 g a day of the essential amino acid supplement called lysine may reduce the number of reoccurring cold sore outbreaks. Although the results are not conclusive, in some studies lysine has prevented cold sores and has shortened the length of outbreaks, reports The University of Maryland Medical Center. You can also get lysine in your diet from potatoes, eggs, chicken and fish.
Lysine may raise cholesterol and triglyceride levels. You should not take it if you have high cholesterol, heart disease or high triglycerides. If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, have kidney disease, liver disease or are taking other medications, check with your doctor before taking lysine. You should not take lysine if you are taking arginine.
Zinc
Doctors are researching the use of zinc to prevent and treat cold sores. In one small study of people with cold sores, those who applied a zinc oxide cream healed faster than those using a placebo cream, cites The University of Maryland Medical Center. In a 2005 study published in "Alternative Medicine Review," researchers studied the effects of lysine, zinc and herbal-based products on cold sores. Within three days, the ointment fully healed 40 percent of participants. By the sixth day, all but two of the participants saw significant improvement.
For most people, taking zinc in doses no larger than 40 mg a day is safe; however, even a small dose of zinc can cause stomach upset. Higher doses of zinc can cause fever, coughing and fatigue. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, ask your doctor to recommend a safe dose for your age and condition.
Propolis
Bees make a tree resin called propolis that may prevent cold sores from reoccurring because propolis contains the antioxidants flavonoids -- immune boosters that help fight infection. In small studies, propolis has stopped HSV-1, but results are not yet conclusive. Research on propolis is limited, but one thing is for sure: If you are allergic to bees or bee products, you should not take it. Do not take propolis if you are pregnant, breast-feeding or have asthma.
Considerations
Many other supplements claim to prevent cold sores, but research for these claims is limited to non-existent. In some studies, Eleutherococcus, Siberian ginseng and peppermint oil prevented cold sores from reoccurring, but overall, researchers still question the effectiveness of these herbs. In addition to taking lysine, zinc or propolis, you can prevent cold sores by keeping your body healthy, getting eight to 10 hours of sleep a night and wearing sunscreen on your lips and face.
References
- Herpes Alliance: Gential Herpes -- Common Questions
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Herpes Simplex Virus
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Herpes Simplex -- Home Remedies
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Lysine
- Medline Plus: Zinc
- "Alternative Medicine Review: A Journal of Clinical Therapeutic"; Safety and Effectiveness of an L-lysine, Zinc, and Herbal-based Product on the Treatment of Facial and Circumoral Herpes; B.B. Singh, et al.; June 2005
