Foods to avoid when you have a cold sore

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) which can lie dormant in the body and resurface with various triggers. While stress, illness, and even sun exposure are common triggers, what you eat can also impact them.

In fact, some foods can actually trigger the virus, while others might help keep it under control. Let’s look at which foods may lead to cold sores and some easy diet changes that could help reduce cold sore outbreaks.

One thing to consider in your diet is arginine, an amino acid found in many foods. While it’s important for overall health, high levels of arginine can trigger the virus. For people who often get cold sores, some dietitians suggest limiting foods that are high in arginine, such as:

You can balance arginine-rich foods by adding more lysine, another amino acid, to your diet. Foods high in lysine, like yogurt, fish, and chicken, are good for overall health and easy to include in a balanced diet.

While acidic foods don’t directly cause cold sores, they are among the primary cold sore triggers, as the acidity can irritate sensitive skin around your mouth during an active outbreak.

Eating certain acidic foods when you have a cold sore can make it feel worse. Examples include:

By cutting back on acidic foods while you have an active cold sore, you can reduce irritation and feel more comfortable around the affected area.

Some studies suggest that too much sugar and processed food might weaken your immune system, which can affect how your body handles the virus that causes cold sores.

Diets high in sugary snacks and processed foods may make it harder for your immune system to work properly, possibly leading to more cold sores. To stay healthy, it might help to cut back on:

Next time you get an active cold sore outbreak, mark these food types off your menu for a few days to help reduce aggravating your cold sore symptoms.

1. Caffeinated drinks: Those three coffees every morning can make you more dehydrated than you think, and it is this that will slow the healing of your cold sore

2. Spicy foods: These can further irritate sensitive skin and intensify discomfort

3. Alcohol: Alcohol can dry out the skin, which may delay healing and potentially impact immune health

4. Highly processed meats: These may contain preservatives that could contribute to inflammation in some individuals.

Keeping an eye on these foods can help make things a little more comfortable during an outbreak.

Although cold sores usually heal on their own in about 10 days, you can try several treatments to help make the healing process smoother and more comfortable for you.

Cold sores can be a real pain, but they usually heal on their own in about 10 days. In the meantime, you don’t have to suffer through it.

Compeed® Cold Sore Discreet Healing Patches are a game changer. They gently cover the sore, protecting it from irritating foods, dirt, and grime, making the healing process much more comfortable. Plus, they’re discreet, so you can feel confident and go about your day without worrying about your cold sore.