Asked by: Louella Davidyuk
Questioner General

Does arginine cause cold sores?

11
Some evidence suggests that high levels of arginine can make symptoms of herpes worse, potentially leading to outbreaks or cold sores. Also, absorbing more arginine may indirectly cause cold sores by disrupting the body's balance of arginine and another amino acid called lysine.
30 Related Question Answers Found

Lone Cantera

Explainer

What can trigger a cold sore?

The most common cause of cold sores is the herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1), but sometimes the herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) can cause it. After someone has contracted the "cold sore virus", it remains inactive for most of the time, but triggers such as fatigue and injury can activate it.

Raimund Klockgeter

Explainer

What foods trigger cold sores?

Foods with Higher Arginine-to-Lysine Ratio (AVOID/LIMIT THESE)
  • nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts, sesame seeds, hazelnuts)
  • peanuts and coconut.
  • grains (white flour, whole wheat flour, oats, etc)
  • popcorn.
  • chocolate and carob.
  • gelatin.
  • beer.
  • orange juice.

Izaskum Lopez De Osa

Explainer

Can Citrus cause cold sores?

Certain foods —including citrus or acidic fruits and vegetables (such as lemons, oranges, pineapples, apples, figs, tomatoes, strawberries) — can trigger a canker sore or make the problem worse.

Willibald Sonnborn

Explainer

What amino acid causes cold sores?

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1, also known as oral herpes).

Common foods rich in lysine include:
  • beef.
  • chicken.
  • turkey.
  • pork.
  • codfish.
  • sardines.
  • eggs.
  • yogurt.

Jon Folkerts

Explainer

Does stress cause cold sores?

Stress can only cause cold sores if you already have the herpes simplex virus. When you're stressed or even just feeling run down, this can affect your immune system. When your immune system is under pressure, the resistance to the virus isn't as strong so the virus has a chance to break out again.

Bertram Gausselmann

Explainer

How do I heal a cold sore fast?

The over-the-counter cold sore ointment docosanol (Abreva) may shorten the healing time of a cold sore.

To ease the discomfort of a cold sore:
  1. Try other cold sore remedies.
  2. Use lip balms and cream.
  3. Apply a cool compress.
  4. Apply pain-relieving creams.

Alla Yos

Explainer

What is the best cold sore medicine?

Acyclovir. Acyclovir was one of the first oral antiviral drugs to come onto the market. It was developed in the 1970s and originally used as a treatment for chickenpox. Today, it's one of the most widely used prescription drugs for treating cold sores and genital herpes (both caused by HSV).

Ioana Rebolleda

Explainer

How can I hide my cold sore?

Concealer to Hide a Cold Sore
Gevaras recommends these steps to best conceal a cold sore: Use a concealer with a creamy texture, not a liquid. These concealers are usually sold in small jars, tubes, or compacts, and are very concentrated.

Catia Naccari

Explainer

How do I stop getting cold sores?

To help avoid spreading the HSV virus, people can do the following:
  1. Avoid touching, scratching, or picking at cold sores.
  2. Wash their hands frequently.
  3. Avoid sharing drinks, utensils, lip products, toothpaste, towels, or any items that might touch the mouth, especially when a sore is present.

Mateus Harrison

Explainer

Do cold sores mean you have an STD?

According Dr. Craig Austin, a dermatologist in New York City, cold sores usually aren't a sexually transmitted disease (STD). There are two kinds of herpes virus: HSV-1, which is usually not an STD and occurs on the lip, and HSV-2, which usually causes herpes genitalis, which is essentially an STD in the genital area.

Mayte Gloger

Explainer

How long is a cold sore contagious for?

Cold sores are contagious until they go away completely, which usually takes about two weeks. This means the common belief that cold sores aren't contagious once they've scabbed over isn't true. Keep reading to learn more about how cold sores spread and how you can protect those around you when you have one.

Lurline Hrdy

Explainer

What makes cold sores appear?

Cold sores are caused by certain strains of the herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV-1 usually causes cold sores. Most people who are infected with the virus that causes cold sores never develop signs and symptoms. Cold sores are most contagious when oozing blisters are present.

Yifei Latiegui

Explainer

Why do I get cold sores when I use chapstick?

Sharing these products increases your risk for contracting cold sores, which are caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). Dr. Davis says people can carry the herpes virus in their mouth without developing active sores. They can spread the virus to other people when they share lip balm, lipstick or a drink.

Hisham Udia

Explainer

How do I treat a cold sore on my lip?

There are many that you can do at home to soothe the sting of a cold sore, such as:
  1. Ice. You can numb the pain if you apply a cold compress to the sore.
  2. Pain relievers.
  3. Over-the-counter creams.
  4. Aloe vera gel.
  5. Avoid triggers.
  6. Don't touch.

Alana Hungria

Explainer

Can you put too much abreva on a cold sore?

Small amounts of Abreva cream that get just inside the lip/mouth junction by the cold sore should not be a problem. However, if you accidentally place a large amount of cream into your mouth, then remove the cream, rinse out your mouth with water and contact your health professional.

Rafaqat Safko

Explainer

Can tomatoes cause cold sores?

While you have a cold sore, avoid foods that contain acid, such as tomatoes and citrus fruits. These could irritate the skin and add to any pain.

Mattias Ohnheiser

Explainer

What can I use on a cold sore?

The 7 Best Cold Sore Remedies
  • Lemon balm.
  • OTC antivirals.
  • Ice.
  • Aloe vera.
  • Sunscreen.
  • Stress reduction.
  • Ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
  • Prescription medications.

Junwei Tuvin

Explainer

Does tea tree oil help cold sores?

Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has antiviral, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. You can apply diluted tea tree oil directly to your cold sore using a clean cotton swab, but make sure you dilute it with a gentler “carrier” oil (such as coconut oil or jojoba oil) so you don't hurt your skin.

Ray Gorgan

Explainer

Is apple cider vinegar good for cold sores?

Apple cider vinegar for cold sore benefits
Since cold sores are caused by a virus, not by bacteria, applying apple cider vinegar to a cold sore can't cure it. Because it has antiseptic properties, apple cider vinegar may also be beneficial at reducing the risk of secondary infection in an existing cold sore.

Fath Urbany

Explainer

Is Honey Good for cold sores?

"Honey is 'just as effective at treating cold sores as anti-viral creams'," the Mail Online reports. Cold sores are skin infections around the mouth caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There was no significant difference in the time taken for the sore to heal: 8 days with aciclovir and 9 days with honey.

Moises Bagimov

Explainer

Are cold sores hereditary?

These cold sores, which tend to appear on or around the lips, are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Exactly why they occur more frequently in some people was not known, but now new research suggests some of us may have a genetic predisposition to frequent, severe cold sores.

Dominga Ortuñez

Explainer

Does ibuprofen help cold sores?

It may help to reduce redness and swelling. If you are just getting a cold sore, try over-the-counter docosanol (Abreva) cream to reduce symptoms. Take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve), as needed.

Nabeel Dikusar

Explainer

Are some people immune to cold sores?

In many cases, people become infected during childhood, and once this happens you carry the virus for life. However, not everyone who has HSV-1 gets cold sores. That's because the herpes simplex virus becomes dormant and has the ability to hide from the body's immune system.

Iluminado Beiztegi

Explainer

Are pistachios high in arginine?

While eating nuts has many health benefits, they're typically high in calories. Fortunately, pistachios are among the lowest-calorie nuts. One of these semi-essential amino acids is L-arginine, which accounts for 2% of the amino acids in pistachios.

Genica Sotres

Explainer

Does zinc help cold sores?

A topical zinc solution has been shown to shorten cold sore outbreaks, and small preliminary studies suggest that daily oral zinc may do so as well.

Olimpia Oswaldt

Explainer

Is Vitamin C good for cold sores?

You can strengthen your system and reduce your chances of breaking out in cold sore blisters by taking a therapeutic dose of vitamin C. Camu camu is an excellent food source. It's absorbed and utilised more effectively by the body, plus it has an impressive 8-10% vitamin C content (30 times that of oranges).

Amjid Henzgen

Explainer

How does lysine stop cold sores?

Lysine may help to slow down or prevent the growth of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is responsible for cold sores. HSV-1 requires arginine, which is another amino acid, to grow. Lysine helps prevent the body from absorbing arginine, making it difficult for HSV-1 to grow and reproduce.

Leanora Mecolalde

Explainer

What are the symptoms of lysine deficiency?

When people do not get enough lysine, they may experience the following symptoms:
  • fatigue.
  • poor concentration.
  • irritability.
  • nausea.
  • red eyes.
  • hair loss.
  • anorexia.
  • inhibited growth.

Khaldia Erario

Explainer

Are chickpeas high in lysine or arginine?

The following legumes provide plenty of arginine and other amino acids: Soybeans offer a good alternative to meat as a source of arginine. A cup of soybeans contains 5.865 g of the amino acid, making these beans a good alternative to meats. Raw peanuts provide 4.567 g of arginine per cup.

Co-Authored By:

EveryThingWhat Staff Editor

3

25th January, 2020

2

Questions

30

Answers

30

Videos

0

Users

16

82% of readers found this page helpful.

4.9/5

Click a star to add your vote