If you've ever had a cold sore, you'll know just how frustrating they can be. It's estimated that around 70% of people in the UK carry the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), the main culprit behind these pesky little blisters. And while the telltale mouth sores are unpleasant enough, studies show an outbreak can also bring other symptoms, like fever, headaches, muscle aches, and swollen glands. Not to mention the emotional impact, with one survey reporting cold sores lead many women to feel unattractive (77%) and embarrassed (72%). If this is all too familiar, then you've probably already tried topical creams to clear up your cold sores, but could L lysine also help?
Never heard of it? L lysine is an essential amino acid that has become a popular supplement among people prone to cold sores, with some claiming it helps to prevent them from developing. But is there any scientific evidence to back this up?
In this blog, we're sharing what the research says about L lysine and cold sores, why you might be more prone to outbreaks in winter, and which vitamins and minerals can help support your immune system and skin during cold sore season to help keep outbreaks at bay.
What is L lysine and why does your body need it?
Before we get into the research on L lysine cold sores, let's look at what it actually is! L lysine is one of nine essential amino acids your body needs to function properly. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, which your body uses to build and repair all your tissues (including your skin), maintain muscles and carry out thousands of processes.
L lysine is a must for protein production, where it's involved in building and maintaining healthy tissues. It's also essential for collagen formation, the must-have protein lots of people take to support healthy, glowing skin.
It's known as an 'essential' amino acid because your body can't produce L lysine itself, so you need to get it from your diet. Luckily, L lysine is found in loads of everyday foods, like chicken, fish, eggs, yoghurt, cheese, beans, lentils and soya products.
What's the connection between L lysine and cold sores?
It makes sense that an amino acid associated with healthy skin might help you avoid an outbreak by supporting the skin barrier and making it less vulnerable to cold sores. But the L-lysine cold sores connection is actually a little more complicated.
It all comes down to another amino acid called arginine, which the cold sore virus needs to multiply. Research has shown that L lysine may compete with arginine in the body, potentially making it harder for the virus to reproduce and trigger an outbreak.
One clinical trial, where people took L lysine for 6 months (ideally during winter when cold sores are more likely to flare up – more on why this is shortly!) reported an average of 2.4 fewer outbreaks! Those taking part also reported less severe symptoms and faster healing times.
Both this trial and several others suggest that L lysine may have potential as a treatment for cold sores, particularly for people who get them a lot. However, it's worth bearing in mind that the studies were relatively small, so L lysine isn't currently considered a fully clinically proven cold sore treatment.
But, if you’re fed up with cold sores blighting your winter skin, it’s definitley worth trying a supplement, like our handy L-lysine/Zinc Plus patch and seeing it if it works for you. Especially during the autumn and winter months when you're most at risk.
Why do cold sores flare up in winter?
If you’ve ever noticed that cold sores seem to be much more of an issue in autumn/winter, you’re not imagining things! Although cold sores can develop any time of the year, winter brings lots of factors into play that can trigger an outbreak – quick, pass the l lysine!
According to the NHS these include:
- Winter colds and flu: Fighting off another infection, particularly if you have a fever, can reactivate the dormant cold sore virus.
- Colder weather and dry lips: Chillier temperatures and drying central heating can leave your lips cracked and irritated. Damaged skin is then more vulnerable to a cold sore developing if you’ve had them before.
- Stress: Buying the perfect gift for everyone, prepping for the big day and juggling work and family commitments = the perfect stress storm – a recognised cold sore trigger.
- Tiredness and fatigue: Less sunlight, a packed social diary and less sleep can leave you feeling run-down, which may make outbreaks more likely.
While you can't control all these triggers (unless you cancel Christmas and sack it all off for some winter sunshine!), if you are prone to cold sores, getting enough sleep and giving your immune system some back up with supportive supplements are both sensible steps during the colder months.
Which other supplements can help support your health during cold sore season?
Sadly, there isn't any vitamin or mineral you can take that will guarantee you won't get a cold sore, but there are some supplements which can help pep up your immune system function AND support healthy skin:
First up is Zinc. It's an absolute must for normal immune function, maintaining healthy skin and wound healing, making it a great place to start. You'll find the ideal daily dose in our L-Lysine/Zinc Plus Patch, providing a double whammy of L lysine cold sores fighting ingredients. If you really want to give your zinc levels a boost, top up by also eating plenty of zinc-rich foods like red meat, shellfish, dairy products, beans and nuts.
Vitamin C is another winter wellness essential that could help to banish the blisters! It helps your immune system function normally AND supports collagen production for healthy skin. Our Vitamin C Plus patch is packed with vitamin C as ascorbic acid, one of the most easily absorbed forms.
And don't forget the vitamin D, particularly important during the darker months when there's less sunlight. You need your daily D to support immune function, a big factor in keeping cold sores away. Our Vitamin D3 + K2 Patches are ideal, to find out more about why a patch is a great way to increase yoru Vit D intake read: Vitamin D Spray or Patch? Tablet Free Ways to Top Up this Winter.
Vitamins A and E are also both essential for healthy skin and immune systems, making them another top pick for your supplement shopping list if you want to support your health and help prevent cold sores. Even better, you'll find both in our L-Lysine/Zinc Plus Patch!
Finally, consider taking selenium, yet ANOTHER must-have mineral for normal immune function and protecting your cells from oxidative stress. And guess what? It's also included in the L-Lysine/Zinc Plus Patch! So many immune and skin boosting goodies in one handy patch!
Are there any other treatments for cold sores?
According to the NHS, cold sores usually start to heal within around 10 days without any treatment.
But if you’ve already been taking your preventative l-lysine cold sores supplements and they still aren’t shifting, a pharmacist can recommend antiviral creams, which can help to speed up healing (especially if you start taking them at the beginning of an outbreak).
And if you’re worried that you’re suffering from cold sores more frequently or they’re getting much worse, it could be worth chatting to your GP about prescription antiviral medication.
