infectious diseases

Remedies for Herpes with Lips

Herpes labialis is an infectious disease caused by a virus. The specific infectious agent is called Herpes simplex type 1.

Cold sores manifest themselves with an initial sensation of heat, tension, itching and tingling in the lips, followed by the appearance of painful serous vesicles; once absorbed or broken, these lesions evolve into easily bleeding crusts.

After the first onset, the disease becomes latent.

The appearance of new symptomatic episodes is favored by stressful or strenuous periods (presence of other diseases, practice of very intense sports, immune deficiencies, insufficient or incomplete nutrition, drugs, sun rays, etc.).

What to do

Once the infection is contracted, cold sores cannot be cured permanently.

The infection is considered chronic; therefore there are no remedies that can cure it.

However, relapses can be avoided by adopting a series of useful behaviors, many of which intervene positively on the immune system:

  • If possible, avoid periods of excessive psychological stress (work, family, other commitments, etc.).
  • Reduce the chances of infection for other infectious diseases, for example: flu, cold, sore throat, cough, skin infections etc.
  • Guarantee an overall adequate nutritional status.
  • Increase the intake of vitamins (vitamin C and vitamin D in the first place) and specific mineral salts (magnesium, iron, zinc and selenium). They all contribute, albeit in different ways, to supporting the immune system.
  • Increase global antioxidant intake (in addition to vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, polyphenols, etc.). They fight free radicals and improve the general oxidative state by avoiding creating an optimal situation for viruses.
  • Increase the intake of omega 3 essential fatty acids. They are anti-inflammatory and stimulate the production of antibodies by the immune system.
  • Take probiotic and prebiotic foods. They improve the bacterial intestinal flora, involved in the trophism of the immune system.
  • Increase the intake of the amino acid lysine. We do not know the reason, but it seems that it can reduce the frequency of acute sores for cold sores.
  • Practicing sports with reasonable frequency and intensity.
  • Take only the prescribed drugs.
  • Use sunscreen.
  • Preventing lip cracks due to cold, wind, chemicals etc.

What NOT to do

The following behaviors should be avoided:

  • Take charge of work, family and social commitments that are difficult to sustain even for limited and apparently harmless periods.
  • Neglecting the frequent occurrence of infectious diseases; for example: flu, common colds, sore throat, cough, skin infections etc.
  • Hyponutrition or malnutrition, especially against the vitamins and salts mentioned in the previous chapter.
  • General lack of antioxidants.
  • Intake of allergenic foods; they are particularly involved: shellfish, dried fruit, egg protein, milk etc.
  • Gluten intake for celiac disease.
  • Compromise intestinal bacterial flora by taking little dietary fiber and excluding probiotics.
  • Taking arginine-based food supplements; can predispose to the herpes acuteness.
  • Practicing sports with excessive frequency, volume and intensity, without respecting recovery times and "common sense".
  • Take drugs recklessly, especially antibiotics that negatively affect intestinal bacterial flora.
  • Exposing yourself excessively to the wind, salt water and the sun, often burning, especially on the face.

What to eat

There are no foods that can cure herpes; however, some are considered preventive remedies against the manifestation of acute:

  • For vitamin C or ascorbic acid: peppers, citrus fruits, parsley, kiwi, lettuce etc. They must all be fresh.
  • For vitamin D: fish, fish oil and egg yolk.
  • For zinc: liver, meat, milk and derivatives, some bivalve molluscs (especially oysters).
  • For selenium: meat, peach products, egg yolk, milk and dairy products, fortified foods (potatoes, etc.).
  • For magnesium: oilseeds, cocoa, bran, vegetables and fruits.
  • For iron: especially meat, fishery products and egg yolk.
  • For polyphenolic antioxidants: especially fresh fruits and vegetables, but also red wine, seeds, aromatic herbs, tea, roots, medicinal herbs etc.
  • For lysine: meat, cheese, some fishery products and legumes (especially soy).
  • For probiotics: all fermented foods such as yogurt, tofu, tempeh, buttermilk etc.
  • For omega 3: blue fish, some oil seeds and related oils, algae.

What NOT to Eat

From the food point of view, there are no foods less recommended than others. However, to prevent relapses of cold sores it is recommended to avoid:

  • Monothematic diets.
  • Vegan diet.
  • Diet free of vegetables and vegetables.
  • Diets based solely on:
    • Cooked foods.
    • Preserved foods.
  • Arginine food supplements.

Natural Cures and Remedies

There are products that "could" improve the trophism of the immune system or act positively on infection.

The possible "natural herpes remedies" include:

  • Echinacea and other immunostimulating plants.
  • Royal jelly
  • Propolis (also for topical use).

Pharmacological care

As anticipated, there are no remedial pharmacological remedies for herpes simplex infection.

The products available on the market are used to favor the return of viruses to the latent form, improving symptoms and simplifying healing.

These are:

  • Zinc and / or cream heparin: decreases the duration and discomfort of the rash.
  • Acyclovir (or similar): reduces the replicative capacity of viruses; it must be administered at the first signs of the rash;
  • Interferon: powerful antiviral action.
  • Immunostimulants: especially natural or synthetic thymic hormones.
  • Antihistamines: against itching.

Prevention

The prevention of cold sores is of two types:

  • Against the contagion: it is purely hygienic. Herpes simplex spreads very easily. They are particularly responsible for the infection: kisses, the use of the same cutlery, crockery, toothbrush etc. It can be transmitted even when it is in a latent form, but this occurrence has a statistically very limited incidence.
  • Against the manifestations, after being infected: all the precautions mentioned so far are valid.

Medical treatments

There are no definitive treatments against herpes simplex.

Any therapy is exclusively palliative or intended to improve symptoms.

In addition to the prevention of contagion and relapses, and beyond the possible use of drugs for the treatment of labial herpes, no other effective medical treatments are known.