Good food consumed for oral herpes patients & bull; hello healthy

Oral herpes or what is also commonly called cold sores is a disease caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). Oral herpes attacks the area around the mouth and lips, is characterized by the appearance of small blisters that will eventually burst.

Itching and stinging due to the appearance of these blisters often make the patient uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are some foods that are said to help relieve or speed up the healing of oral herpes.

Foods to help cure oral herpes

Indeed, not many studies have shown an association between diet and the severity of herpes. However, some of the following foods are believed to have the potential to increase the body's ability to fight off viruses and relieve symptoms that arise due to oral herpes disease.

1. Foods containing lysine

Source: The Washington Post

Based on research that has been done, amino acid intake can help to prevent or reduce symptoms of oral herpes. One type of amino acid is lysine. Usually, the content of lysine can be found in supplements or external use creams, but lysine can also be obtained from the food you consume.

Lysine is found in foods that are high in protein. Some of these include meat including beef and chicken, dairy products, eggs and fish.

However, not all amino acids can help cure oral herpes. Foods that contain the amino acid arganine are taboo. Arginine is a component that is needed by the herpes virus to replicate, consumption of lysine will block arginine activity.

Foods that contain arginine include nuts, oatmeal, and chocolate.

2. Foods containing quercetin

Herpes is a contagious disease caused due to a viral infection. The good news is that there are compounds in food that have antiviral properties, and its consumption is expected to provide results in the form of infection prevention.

These compounds are called flavonoids, sometimes also referred to as bioflavonoids. Flavonoids are natural compounds that give fruits and vegetables their vibrant colors. This color also protects plants from microbes and insects.

One of them is quercetin, a type of flavonoid in foods that is believed to be effective in inhibiting the replication of the virus that causes oral herpes. You can get your intake from apples, red grapes, berries, and cherries.

3. Zinc

Zinc has long been believed to be a herpes treatment. The way of treatment is by dissolving zinc salts with water and then applying it to the herpes lesions. In effect, the zinc salt solution can reduce the number of viruses and treat the symptoms of herpes.

Of course, zinc can also be obtained from a number of foods such as oysters, red meat, and poultry. Not only for the treatment of herpes, zinc can help maintain immunity.

Therefore, make sure your daily zinc needs are met.

4. Foods that contain vitamin C and vitamin E

The next food that is good for consumption to help relieve symptoms of oral herpes are foods that contain vitamin C and vitamin E. Vitamins C and E are known for their antioxidant content which functions to protect the body from various diseases.

In addition, vitamin E is believed to have the potential to aid in skin repair because of the blisters that appear. Although scientific research that discusses the relationship between herpes sores and vitamin E is still very limited, it doesn't hurt for you to increase your intake.

Various food sources of vitamin C that you can consume are oranges, peppers, and strawberries. As for vitamin E, you can get it from spinach, vegetable oil and avocado.

Tips for reducing oral herpes pain

In the middle of the treatment, of course there will be pain that is a little excruciating and makes you uncomfortable. Apart from eating a healthy diet, here are steps you can take to overcome it.

Use a cold compress. You can apply an ice pack or a towel soaked in cold water to the affected area. This method can help reduce pain and redness.
Use a moisturizer. Dry skin and lips will make the blisters more painful. In order not to peel, use a lip balm such as lip balm or other oils. However if you use lip balm, You have to throw it away after the oral herpes subsides because of this lip balm has been contaminated and there is a concern that the disease will re-emerge.
Apply a pain relieving cream. Some of them are lidocaine and benzocaine.
Avoid touching the lip area with your hands. Especially if you haven't washed your hands, this will only make things worse.