Cold sores or fever blisters are a type of skin infections, caused by the Herpes Simplex virus. Acupuncture is one of the most commonly used alternative treatment options. It is used for effectively treating various ailments including cold sores.

Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are small, fluid-filled, painful blisters caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). They are caused more often by HSV-type 1 than HSV-type 2. These blisters or sores appear on the lips, nose or around the mouth. The skin around the blisters is sore, swollen and red. This disease is highly contagious. HSV infection is spread from person to person by kissing or other close contact. The infected saliva can also be a means of transmission of this disease. Fever, changes in the immune system, stress, hormonal changes such as menstruation, skin trauma and even exposure to sun are the triggering factors for this infection. The primary symptoms of cold sores are pain around the mouth and lips, sore throat, fever and swollen glands in the neck. There is an appearance of small, fluid-filled blisters typically around the mouth, which is known as gingivostomatitis. The initial tingling or pain, which is referred to as prodrome generally lasts for about 7-10 days. Cold sores mostly appear on the lips and occasionally on the chin, nostrils or fingers. These blisters break open and leak clear fluid. The sores cure completely within 2-6 weeks. In some people, cold sores can cause painful skin lumps on legs, which is called as erythema nodosum.

Treatment for Cold Sores

Generally, cold sores heal within 7-10 days without any treatment. However, topical symptomatic treatments such as benzyl alcohol or topical lidocaine are recommended to relieve the symptoms. Use of antiviral medications prevents cold sores or shortens the duration of cold sores. Cold sores can be treated with medications, dietary supplements, home remedies, homeopathic treatments and acupuncture.

Acupuncture for Cold Sores

Acupuncture is one of the oldest, effective treatment options. It can be used to treat a variety of health conditions. The acupuncture technique involves an insertion of hair-thin needles through the skin at strategic points. There are about 2,000 acupuncture points in the human body and each point is associated with different healing attributes. The acupuncture technique is used as an alternative treatment for a wide range of diseases such as depression, insomnia, drug abuse, weight loss and cold sores.

Acupuncture works as a natural alternative treatment option for cold sores. When acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points on the skin, it stimulates to release endorphin hormone, which has relaxing and calming effect. It enables you to deal with frustration, stress and anxiety, which are the triggering factors for the cold sores. Due to increased stress, pH level of the body decreases and this acidic condition is perfect to make the virus active. Acupuncture reduces stress and anxiety and thus prevents herpes infection. Acupuncture also enhances functioning of body’s immune system by stimulating the production of white blood cells. Acupuncture therapy also increases Alpha, Beta and Gamma globulins, which prevent infection by producing immune antibodies. In this way, acupuncture reduces the duration of herpes outbreak and minimizes chances of recurring cold sores.

Acupuncture is also helpful in improving mental health by reducing stress and offering relaxing and calming effects. Acupuncture for cold sores is an effective and safe method to get rid of dangerous symptoms of this viral infection.

By Reshma Jirage Published: 6/26/2008

Acupuncture for Cold Sores

Acupuncture for Cold Sores Acupuncture works as a natural alternative treatment option for cold sores. When acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points on the skin, it stimulat…   

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In this article you will learn about delicious foods that prevent cold sores. You will also discover foods that cause cold sores. Best of all, in about 2 minutes, you will know how best to balance the two for your personal needs. Check it out.

Cold sores are the visible result of the herpes virus replication process. The virus enters a cell on the surface of your face and forces that cell to create copies of itself. Then the original virus destroys the cell to release hoards of new virus. The open cold sore is the result of millions of cells in close proximity that have been destroyed like this.

Lysine and arginine are two amino acids much talked about in their relation to cold sores. Amino acids are small fractions of protein that your body needs everyday to stay in tiptop shape. To create new cold sore virus, the cell needs certain materials. One necessary building block for herpes virus replication is arginine.

Lysine has been proven very effective in treating and preventing cold sores. Lysine prevents cold sores mainly by replacing some of the arginine in your cells. If you have a higher lysine than arginine content in the cells, you are less likely to get cold sores.

Foods that prevent cold sores are rated by how high the ratio of lysine to arginine content. Most foods contain both lysine and arginine. If there is the same amount of both, the ratio is 1 to 1. If there is twice as much lysine as arginine, then the ratio is 2 to 1. This is an excellent ratio for preventing cold sores.

So the strategy here is to increase the ratio of lysine over arginine in your diet. For example: cheddar cheese, in one ounce or 28 grams, contains 588 milligrams of lysine and 267 milligrams of arginine. This is a ratio of lysine to arginine of 2.2 to 1. Excellent.

Here is a list of foods that prevent cold sores. Most meat, particularly beef, fish, turkey and chicken. Cheese, yogurt, milk and other dairy products are also quite high in lysine and often offer a 2 to 1 ratio. Ricotta cheese is unusually high in lysine. Eggs, soy beans, soy products and brewers yeast will also provide you higher lysine intake.

SPECIAL NOTE. Flounder is very rich in lysine. Some people use flounder as a total cold sore treatment. When getting a cold sore, they will eat one pound, or 300 grams, of flounder. This provides 12 grams of lysine. Lysine from food is 200% to 400% more usable by the body than the lysine in supplements. You would have to take 50 lysine capsules, at least, to equal the flounder, which would be crazy. Your body knows the difference.

Here is a short list of foods that cause cold sores. These foods have high content of arginine to lysine. Most nuts, including peanuts, almonds, cashews and walnuts. Grains, such as wheat and oats. Seeds, such as sunflower and sesame, are arginine providers. Also avoid most beans, peas and lima beans. Most vegetables are higher in arginine than lysine, such as carrots, radishes, eggplant, and cabbage. Chocolate is high in arginine.

STOP. Before you give up right here, let me say two things in closing.

Do not hesitate to take lysine capsules just because this form of lysine is not as well absorbed. Many people control outbreaks with the capsules alone. And do not let a special cold sore diet rule your life. You will find relief from cold sores and still enjoy life by testing and finding the balance and combinations that best suit your lifestyle. By taking lysine supplements, you can eat more of the high arginine foods, like chocolate.

It is all about balance. Yes, you can eat all foods you enjoy, as long as you combine them wisely with supplements and sufficient foods that prevent cold sores.

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