Explanation
Commonly known as a fever blister or cold sore, this is a recurrent viral infection characterized by the appearance of thin-walled vesicles either singly or in multiple clusters at sites on the body where skin and mucous membranes are contiguous.
Considerations
Small, tense vesicles filled with a clear fluid develop on an inflammatory base, most frequently about the mouth or lips, conjunctiva and cornea, and on the genitals. It is thought that the virus lies dormant in the tissues and over-exposure to sunlight, febrile illnesses, physical and emotional stress, or certain foods are the triggering agents. Malnutrition and subclinical nutrient deficiencies lower resistance and predispose to awakening the dormant virus.
Treatment
In every case, as in all infections, strict attention to normalizing the diet to provide a totally natural and nutritionally complete food program is essential.
