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Home Remedies What causes cold sores

What Causes Cold Sores and How It Impacts Us?

Though every incidence of cold sore may appear slightly different from the other but in most cases what causes cold sores are the following reasons:

Out of the many known herpes viruses it is observed that the two viruses (herpes simplex virus type 1 or type 2) cause cold sores. 90% of the world’s population is career of HSV in dormant stage. When it becomes active it begins to appear as cold sores on lips and nose.

The bad news is that once infected it is very difficult to prevent cold sores outbreaks. They may remain dormant for years but may surface if when the body is exposed to some triggers.

So the important aspect to know about what causes cold sores is actually to find out what triggers the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) to become active.

Following are the triggers  of HSV and causes of cold sores

 

Cold Sore causes 1- Weak immune system

Lack of appropriate nutrients one usually gets from food has a big negative impact on immune system. Stress, injury and illness are considered to be the other reasons to impact immune system. Weakened immune system triggers break out of cold sores. Flu outbreak can reduce the power of immune system to trigger outbreak cold sores.

Sunburn can trigger it. Injury caused by burning of lip with hot food can cause it. Kissing someone with an active cold sore can cause it due to it contagious nature.

Cold Sores Causes 2- pH balance

Acidic pH body balance can trigger its outbreak. pH defines the balance between acidity and alkalinity. Any value below 7 is acidic and above is alkaline. Body’s normal pH value is 7.4. Various studies have found correlation between falling pH value below and outbreak of cold sores.  It is easy to maintain body pH. Eat a balanced diet and your body will balance the pH.

Cold Sores Causes 3- Arginine

Arginine helps building new virus. Lysine doesn’t support formation of new virus. Both Arginine and Lysine compete for the same space in cells. Without sufficient arginine, new virus cannot be created, thus halting the replication.  Increasing store of Lysine in the cells replaces Arginine therefore can reduce the outbreak of cold sores. Lysine store can be increased with the help of supplements.

Read more on symptoms, types, prevention methods and home remedies for cold sores in the other related articles.

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