4 Useful Vitamins To Treat Cold Sores

Cold sores are fluid filled lesions that appear around or over the mouth and are formed from herpes simplex type 1 viral infection. These are commonly known as fever blisters that initiate as burning and painful sensation 1 to 2 days, before the formation of actual blisters. Soon after that small, red and painful blisters appear on gums, lips and inner portion of the mouth. A cold sore usually heals within two weeks time, even without treatment.

For faster relief, one can make use of antiviral drugs or topical painkillers as these overcome the usual trigger that results in their progression. For those, who wish to avoid medicines can make use of various vitamins to improve them and accelerate the healing process. It is easily contracted from a person who has an active lesion by sharing utensils or towels as virus gets easily spread.

4 Useful Vitamins To Combat Cold Sores

Vitamin C

Addition of vitamin C in diet helps in fast recovery from cold sores. Vitamin C, a water soluble vitamin is crucial for growth, development and healing wounds. It is beneficial for repair of all body tissues and production of collagen to make tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, scar tissue and skin.

It aids in fighting off infections, viruses and diseases and hence, very effective in providing relief from cold sore symptoms. It also inhibits further spread of cold sores and is found in high quantity in tomatoes, oranges, peppers, broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, cantaloupe, turnip greens and cooked green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin E

Vitamin is a potent antioxidant that shields body cells from damages and prevents cold sore formation by clearing off viruses and bacteria from the body. It aids in boosting the immune system, repair damaged cells and these together offers a quick healing of cold sores.

Vitamin E can be easily incorporated in diet using food sources like nuts, wheat germ, spinach, seeds, corn, olives, asparagus and vegetable oils of cottonseed, sunflower and soybean. One can also intake Vitamin E supplement to fulfill vitamin E needs of the body after consulting the doctor.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is vital for regulation of immune system and aids in fighting off diseases, viral or bacterial infections. Adding foods high in vitamin A in the diet provides strength to immune system and fastens the recovery process.

Include foods rich in vitamin A like carrots, cheese, apricots, spinach, milk, eggs, apples, pumpkin, apricots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupes and dark green leafy veggies. Additionally, vitamin A supplements in recommended dosage as advised by doctor can be included in the diet.

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Vitamin B12

For canker sores, another form of cold sores that are not contagious and appear in areas of mouth including inner cheeks, tongue or lips, Vitamin B12 aids in shortening the duration of sore formation. Moreover, with use of vitamin B12, the reoccurrence of canker sore is also prevented.

Deficient levels of vitamin B12 or folate is known to be the cause of such sores. Hence, including diet rich in vitamin B12 will not only cure the sores but also prevent its formation in near future. Include foods like nuts, eggs and green leafy vegetables in diet to incorporate high amounts of vitamin B12.