What Foods to Avoid if You Have Herpes?

A viral infection caused by the Herpes Simplex virus, herpes results in painful red blisters in the oral or the genital region. The blisters are usually accompanied by burning, itching and tingling in these regions. Outbreaks of herpes are usually concentrated in the mucous membrane of lips and genital region but can occur anywhere in the body as well. Although antiviral medication have known to reduce the symptoms and the frequency of the outbreaks, the best way to avoid the painful herpes blisters is to stick to a diet and to know what foods to avoid with herpes.

Foods That You Should Avoid
There are basically two amino acids that regulate the occurrence of herpes outbreaks. These amino acids include L-lysine and L-arginine. For reducing the herpes blisters and other symptoms, doctors recommend a diet that is high in lysine and low in arginine. Lysine works by inhibiting the metabolism of arginine which is basically the compound that the virus needs in order to replicate itself. Here is a list of arginine rich foods that need to be avoided if you want to prevent the oral or genital herpes.

Foods to Avoid (Genital Herpes)

Genital herpes is a highly contagious infection of the genitals that is caused by the HSV virus. This sexually transmitted disease causes red, watery blisters in the vagina, penis, scrotum, buttocks or anus. While anti-viral prescription medication do work well to reduce the symptoms, knowing what foods to avoid with herpes helps you avoid the disease.

• Dark leafy vegetables like spinach and mustard greens
• Shrimp
• Crabs
• Lobster
• Brown rice
• Caffeine
• Gelatin
• Chocolate
• Coconut
• Nuts
• Nut products
• Oatmeal
• Raisins
• Sunflower, sesame and pumpkin seeds
• Whole wheat bread
• Sugary snacks

Foods to Avoid (Oral Herpes)

Caused by the HSV-1 virus, oral herpes or cold sores as they are commonly known, results in painful cold sores on your lips, gums, tongue, roof of your mouth, and inside your cheeks. These ulcerative lesions in the mouth are accompanied by fever and muscular aches. Along with over the counter medications and numbing products, a natural cure for cold sores is a change in the diet.

• Hazel nuts
  Brazil nuts
• Pistachio nuts
• Peanuts
• Walnuts
• Almonds
• Cocoa powder
• Peanut butter
• Sesame seeds
• Cashews
• Carob powder
• Coconut
• Oatmeal
• Tomatoes
• Pecans
• Brown rice
• Chickpeas
• Citrus fruits
• Onions
• Peas
• Brussels sprouts
• Goat's milk
• Cow's milk
• Lamb
• Dried beans
• Squash

In addition to this, you need to restrict processed foods, sugar, coffee, chocolate, cola drinks, vinegar and animal proteins. These foods and beverages put a strain on the immune system that eventually results in the blisters and other herpes symptoms.

Foods to Eat

Along with information on the foods to avoid, it is essential that we include the foods to eat. These rich in lysine sources of foods help reduce the outbreaks quite significantly. Here is a list of foods that is rich in lysine.

• Fresh fish
• Chicken
• Beef
• Pork
• Cheese
• Soybeans
• Eggs
• Broccoli
• Cabbage

In addition to this, freshly made fruit juices have an amazing ability to boost up the immune system and prevent the diseases. Try to cut back on the sodas and the caffeine in the diet. Instead, herbal teas can work wonders for the immune system. With an increase in the raw vegetables and fruits in the diet and with six to eight glasses of water a day, you can soon build up a strong immune system which can help fight off the virus. After all, a healthy body allows you to stay fit and ward off the diseases well.