Herpes is a contagious disease that manifests as blisters. There are two types of herpes. Type 1 usually manifests around the mouth, while type 2 usually occurs in the genital area. However, you can have a herpes infection in either area with either type of virus. The herpes virus is spread through direct contact or bodily fluids. You may have only minimal signs or symptoms after the initial outbreak, and most people find that the number of outbreaks subsides over the years. However, the infection will stay in your body indefinitely.
Arginine and Acidity
Dr. Wendy Hodsdon, naturopathic physician, advises her patients of the link between arginine and herpes outbreaks. The herpes virus requires arginine to replicate, or grow, inside the body. Arginine is an amino acid that is plentiful in specific foods and can increase the potential that you will experience a herpes blister, either genital or oral. L-lysine is another amino acid that has anti-viral properties and can help reduce the effect of arginine and your potential for an outbreak, according to Herpes.org, a nonprofit herpes resource. However, lysine has acidic properties, and when taken with acid-rich foods like dairy products or sweets, it can lead to hyperacidity in the body. This imbalance can also trigger an outbreak.
Sweets
Foods that are sweet or have sugar are high in the amino acid arginine. This includes chocolate and raisins, states Herpes.org. Other foods that are high in sugar include soft drinks and foods made with high fructose corn syrup, such as popsicles, fruit juices, some breakfast cereals, candy bars, cough syrups, drink mixes, ketchup and jams and jellies. Each of these products contains sugars and syrups that will increase your risk of developing new herpes lesions.
Nuts
Nuts are high in arginine and low in lysine, increasing your potential for an outbreak. Dr. Nicole Sundene, a doctor of naturopathic medicine, recommends that her patients avoid peanuts and peanut butter because of the high amount of arginine in the products. Other nuts are also high in arginine, such as almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, filberts, pecans and walnuts.
Caffeine
Caffeinated drinks and products will also increase your risk of an outbreak, according to Sundene. Caffeine has been added to a number of products found in the grocery store. Aside from caffeine pills used to keep you awake, there is caffeine in coffee, tea, power drinks, power supplements, chocolate, soft drinks, medications, frozen desserts and over-the-counter drugs, such as Excedrin or Anacin.
