What Causes Cold Sores

What Causes Cold Sores?
by Denny Bodoh

You must know what causes cold sores if you want to heal them quickly, or prevent future cold sore outbreaks.

Two strains of the herpes simplex virus - type 1 and type 2 - are always the cause of cold sores.  80% of all cold sores are caused by the herpes type 1 with the remaining 20% caused by type 2.  The sores caused by either type are identical in every respect.

The cold sore virus primarily lives in hibernation - hiding in the nerve root cells near where the nerves connect with each other.  This is called the nerve ganglia.

When the herpes virus becomes active, it travels to the surface through the nerve fiber and enters the nerve cells there.  It then forces the cells to become herpes virus factories - creating exact copies of the original virus.

The virus then destroys the cell to release all the new virus. This process of exploding millions of cells close to each other is what causes that open, weeping wound.

Many people who carry the virus never get a cold sore - so what causes cold sores in some of us and not others?  

Let's take a look at the three main causes of cold sores.

1. Your Health. The stronger your health, the stronger your immune system. If you get sick regularly, or are getting frequent cold sore outbreaks, then keep in mind the basics for vibrant health. Fresh foods and vegetables, exercise, limited alcohol and tobacco use, plenty of clean water and sleep.

2. Your Diet. It is not always easy to eat the way we should in this hectic world. The best and cheapest investment in your health and building a strong immune system is to take a good quality vitamin and mineral supplement.  Eat foods that are high in lysine such as meat, egg and dairy products. Lysine fights cold sore activity.

Avoid high arginine foods that cause cold sores such as chocolate, grains and beans. The virus needs arginine to replicate.

3. Your stress. Stress is considered the main cause of cold sores.  We can not avoid stress in life, but we can reduce the physical effects that are created by stress.  Some stress triggers have been specifically linked to causing cold sores. Two of the best known triggers for cold sore outbreaks are illnesses such as colds (thus the name "cold sores") and fevers (thus the term "fever blisters"). Other real common triggers include weddings, dental work, pregnancy, allergies, toxins in the environment, medications, sun exposure and physical injuries.

When you want to determine what causes cold sores for you, just examine any undo stress within the last two or three days and you will likely find the answer. No matter how careful and healthy we are, these unfortunate outbreaks can and will happen - and at the worst of times. Be prepared. Have a good cold sore treatment plan and you will enjoy much relief.

Experts agree that, right now, natural science is still your best choice for treating cold sore outbreaks.

Data studies have uncovered a natural cold sore remedy that works like no other.

This discovery can reduce the healing time of your cold sore by about 80% for most people.

Yes, and the best part - it can prevent future cold sore events as well. And it is so cheap and easy. In fact, you probably won't have to buy a darn thing.

If you have time, check it out now.

FREE YOURSELF OF COLD SORES FOR LIFE