Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What causes cold sores and how can they be treated?

A: Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex 1 virus which lies dormant, waiting for a trigger. Common triggers include: stress, sun exposure, and hormonal changes. Treatments for a cold sore include:

  1. Lisine (an amino acid) - found in beans, vegetables, dairy, fish, and chicken; available in a supplement as well. If taking the supplement, try 500-1000 mg/day. When you feel the first tingle of an outbreak, increase your dosage to apporximately 4000 mg/day for 5 days.
  2. Over-the-counter creams (ex. Enzymatic Therapy Cold Sore Relief) can help reduce an outbreak's severity.
  3. Prescription cream (ex. Devavir, Acyclovir)

 

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