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Preventing Cold Sores

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Q. You had an article about drugs to heal cold sores faster. Why not prevent them? I take L-lysine before meals every day and it prevents cold sores from developing into full-blown blisters. I think prevention is better than cure.

A. Several studies suggest that the dietary supplement lysine may reduce cold sore outbreaks (Alternative Medicine Review, June, 2006). The optimal dose is not known, but side effects seem rare.

Some people content that limiting the amino acid arginine in the diet improves the effectiveness of lysine. Foods high in arginine include chocolate, nuts and seeds.
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I used to get cold sores several times a year until I found that if I take two Lysine a day as soon as I feel a cold sore coming on, the cold sore formation stops and it goes away in about a week. Before discovering Lysine I experienced cold sores that would get larger, very painful and ugly and sometimes even multiply. I do believe if I would remember to take a Lysine each day, I wouldn't get any cold sores again.

I have found that keeping my lips well hydrated with lip balm or vaseline has almost eliminated my outbreaks of cold sores.

I have been getting cold sores for 25 years or so. I now take 1000 mgs. of l-lysine daily. If I feel a cold sore starting, I take 2000 mgs several times a day, until the tingling stops. Often this will prevent a full blown blister, and sometimes prevents an outbreak completely.

Try Abrevia. It's expensive, yes. But it works like a champ. If you even think you're getting a cold sore, rub some of this stuff on the spot, a coupla times a day, and it stops the formation cold. And it stops already-forming sores from getting worse. The worst I've had in awhile has been just a coupla bumps--nothing like in the past.

I USED TO SUFFER FROM CANKER SORES. THEN SOMEONE GAVE ME AN ARTICLE SAYING THAT I NEEDED TO AVOID TOOTHPASTE THAT HAS SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE. MOST TOOTHPASTES HAVE THIS AS AN INACTIVE INGREDIENT AND EVEN SOME OF THE "SENSITIVE" ONES HAVE IT. I NOW USE BIOTENE OR JUST PLAIN BAKING SODA, AND I DON'T GET CANKER SORES.
IF I DECIDE TO USE REGULAR TOOTHPASTE (BECAUSE MY TEETH FEEL A LOT CLEANER WHEN I DO), I WILL ALMOST ALWAYS GET A SORE OR SEVERAL.

THE SAME GOES FOR MY HUSBAND.

HOPE THIS HELPS.

bakind soda is the best cure for cold sores it burns them before they develop into blisters, so for 60 cents you have a cure, don't buy abrevia for $15 waste of money.

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