I know they are a result of the herpes simplex virus and once you get one you are forever destined to get them!

But, I always get them at my 'time of the month'. I use Zovirax, which works well, but I was wondering whether there might be a nutritional/vitamin deficiency which encourages reappearance, particularly at this time? (Iron?)

Thanks!

You are right about the herpes simplex virus. If you feel you have skin problems, or that your diet can control your skin condition and susceptibility to viruses, eat a healthy diet and see if it has any effect. In my opinion it does have a huge effect. People who eat a lot of fat and sugar are more prone to spots and sores. A healthy diet is good for the skin, and the whole body. Citrus fruits, cabbages, sprouts are high in vitamin C and good for the skin, don't overcook. Also, vegetarian diets are great for the bowels.

Only if you believe marketing by tescos.



Nutrition is mostly nonsense, and certainly has no effects to if you gt a coldsore or not. Human beings used to live on only what they gather, eating 559 bits of fruit a day is nonsical, its just a way for the consumer to be milked of money after the whole "fast food is bad" movement.



Too much of anything good or bad sucks, but its equalibrium.

According to NHS Direct



"Attacks appear to be triggered by:

- emotional upset;

- fatigue and tiredness;

- colds or other viruses that weaken the body's defences;

- menstrual periods;

- andstrong sunlight and cold winds."



Also check here for treatment http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/art...



Hope this helps,

Hi, i regularly get cold sores myself, i have done since i was very young. I don't know why we get them so i am afraid im not a great deal of help, sorry! But i just want to say that i tend to get them when i am physically run down, i.e after a few late nights or when i am under the weather with a cold, but i think you are right about iron being a factor.

Don't think so. They are more likely to occur if you are run down and that might be the result of poor diet.

i think it's differnet for everyone to be honest. I get them when i am stressed and don't eat properly but i cant pinpoint it to an exact vitamin. it's more likely to be a running down of the entire immune system. take zinc if you are concerned.

No, there is no particular dietary link. Many women have issues at period times, some for example develop thrush every month, others get acne and you get Herpes simplex. In you have a normal healthy diet, you cannot benefit from supplements.

I can't say about cold sores, however I used to get canker sores regularly when my diet was substantially in the catagory of junk food. Then, some years down the road, I became somewhat of a fanatic, into a 'healthy lifestyle' philosophy and began to eat MUCH MORE vegetables in (especially raw--in salads--I ate a salad daily )... almonds, etc.... and I did notice that after living life like this for some time, one day I realized I NEVER get canker sores anymore, when I used to have them all the time, and when those instances happened that might before would have resulted in one growing (like biting my inner lip on accident) these would heal up almost immediately and would never become a canker.

Stress,tiredness, periods.Gauranteed to start them off.I disagree about the iron deficiency idea as your period would have minimal effect on that.

The key to beating them is around the time your period is due to begin start smearing Zovirax or teatree oil on your lips and if they do try to emerge they'll be much shorter lived and less noticeable.

At other times the minute you feel that tell-tale tingle get the cream or oil on don't wait until you have a zoomer!They're soooooo annoying.