Cold sores are caused by a virus that is known as the herpes simplex labialis. However, there is a large number of people that end up getting cold sores when they are suffering from the variety of bothersome symptoms that are associated with having the common cold.

Lysine is a building block of protein that are known as amino acids, and it is used as an ingredient in various medicines that are made. Lysine comes in the form of a cream ointment that can be put directly onto the cold sore, and it also comes in a pill form that can be swallowed. It is also commonly used in some people for the improvement of athletic performance. Lysine works well for lowering the severity of cold sores, reduce the amount of recurrences, and it can also lower the amount of time that it generally takes them to heal.

There are many symptoms of the common cold that can be extremely frustrating to deal with, and cold sores are certainly no exception to this. If you have problems with the appearance of cold sores when you have acquired the common cold, it would be beneficial to speak with your family physician.