Why Does Cold Sore Always Recur?

The virus is usually activated and appears on the lip when there are some triggers. There are also those who present it latently in their body.

Many people have a tendency to repeatedly suffer from diseases that affect the most vulnerable organs, be it due to genetic reasons, bad habits or nutritional deficiencies.  One of these most common cases is that of cold sores.

In this article we explain why those who have cold sores usually suffer from it from time to time and how we can deal with it naturally.

What is labial herpes?

Cold sores are a small sore or blister that appears around the lips as a result of the herpes simplex virus HSV-1. In reality, although the most common and visible appear in the labial area, they can also appear in other areas of the body, according to this study by the Complutense University of Madrid.

It usually begins to be noticed with a slight tingling or a little itching and, over the hours, it can turn into a blister that causes itching and even pain.

Why does it always repeat itself?

There are few people who suffer from this virus only once in their life, in fact, it is such a rare case that almost no evidence of it is known. The most common is that it appears from time to time since, being caused by a virus, it remains in the body.

In general, the HSV-1 virus is contracted in childhood, since its spread can be caused by light contact. It reaches the body through the skin until it is permanently installed in the cells.

As the Mayo Clinic shows us in this study, there is no cure for herpes simplex virus infection and the blisters can return.

Antiviral medication can help cold sores heal more quickly and can make it come back less often. This is the reason why it is repeated in the vast majority of cases. However, there are people who keep it in their body but inactive or latent.

Triggers

There is no clear theory of what triggers the virus. However, some factors that could influence its reactivation have been studied :

• Stress. Stress unbalances the body and weakens our defenses, according to the Institute of Hematology and Immunology (Cuba). In most cases, cold sores appear right after, when the body relaxes and tries to return to its basal state.

• Infections and feverish states caused by other pathogens and even in other parts of the body.
• Medication. Taking some medications, especially antibiotics, can weaken the immune system and make it easier to activate herpes.
• Hormonal changes. The most common are those related to menstruation or pregnancy.
• Extreme climates. Severe exposure to sunlight or sudden high temperatures can also increase your chances of getting it.
• Food intolerances. Sometimes our body does not digest certain foods well such as gluten, lactose, soy, some nuts, etc. The body suffers from an imbalance that can make it more vulnerable.

• Intestinal conditions. According to some research, herpes of the lip could be the reflection of an inflammation or ulceration in some part of the intestinal wall.

Natural alternatives

It is important to analyze the triggers to find which ones could be affecting us. Here are some natural alternatives that will help us prevent and treat these factors:

• Echinacea: This medicinal plant is one of the best known when it comes to strengthening the immune system, according to Iowa State University in this study. We can take it seasonally, when we feel more prone to getting sick, or in times of change station.
• Propolis : This natural antibiotic raises the defenses and strengthens the organism, as this investigation from the USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory assures.
• Psyllium ( Plantago psyllium ): If in our case it can be related to intestinal problems, we can resort to this fiber of plant origin that works as a regulator and facilitates transit without irritating the intestine. This is stated in this study from the University of Helsinki (Finland).

We must also be very attentive to diet and assess the possibility of taking a food intolerance test.

If we eliminate from the diet the foods that we do not digest well, we will not only fight herpes but we will notice a great improvement in our health.