Do you get cold sores[1] ? Your genes might be to blame.


A new study shows that a gene mutation could explain why some people are more susceptible to developing this itchy, unsightly sores on and around their lips. The findings are published in the journal PLoS Pathogens[2] .


Most people -- 90 percent in the world, in fact -- are infected with the cold sore-causing virus, yet only about one in five people actually develop sores.


Researchers from the University of Edinburgh found that a mutation on the IL28b gene makes it so the body's immune system is not able to prevent the herpes simplex virus type 1 -- which triggers cold sores -- from becoming active, thereby causing the cold sore to develop.


This isn't the first time genes have been linked with cold sores. A 2011 study in the Journal of Infectious Diseases tied two variations of the gene C21orf91 with protection against the reactivation of the cold sore-causing herpes virus. Meanwhile, two other variations of the same gene were linked with having more cold sore outbreaks[3] .


The virus that causes cold sores is related to the one that causes genital herpes (herpes simplex virus 2). There's no cure for cold sores[4] , and they can recur randomly (typically in the face of stress or a weakened immune system), according to the Mayo Clinic.



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  • Salt


    Ever wake up feeling a little puffy around the eyes? Too much salt can cause some of us to retain water, which can lead to swelling, Schultz says. Because the skin around the eyes is so thin, he explains, the area swells easily -- and leaves you cursing last night's popcorn when you catch your reflection the next morning. "These effects of salt are definitely age related," he says, and become more common in middle age.




  • Shellfish


    Shrimp, crab, lobster -- and also certain leafy greens like seaweed and spinach -- are naturally <a href="http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional/">high in iodine</a>, and a diet with too much of this element can lead to acne, says Schultz. However, "these breakouts are based on an accumulated amount of iodine over time, so there's no relationship between eating high iodine foods one day and breaking out the next," he says. Instead, he advises that people who are particularly acne-prone consume these foods a couple of times a month rather than a couple of times a week.




  • Milk


    Although its effects are probably still pretty small, according to Buka, some <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acne/DS00169/DSECTION=causes">dairy products may contribute to skin problems</a>. A 2005 study linked <a href="http://www.aad.org/dermatology-world/monthly-archives/2012/acne/diet-and-acne">higher milk consumption to presence of acne</a>. While the study had certain flaws, including the fact that participants were asked simply to <em>recall</em> how much milk they drank rather than record it in real time, more recent research, including a 2012 study in Italy, found a connection specifically between <a href="http://www.aad.org/dermatology-world/monthly-archives/2012/acne/diet-and-acne">skim milk and acne</a>. This is likely because of "a higher amount of bioavailable hormones in skim milk, since they cannot be absorbed in surrounding fat," explains Buka, which can then overstimulate the group of glands that produce our skin's natural oily secretions, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. In some people with rosacea, dairy products can also trigger the condition's tell-tale redness, Schultz says.




  • High Glycemic Foods


    Starchy picks like white breads, pastas and cakes, and even corn syrup, Buka says, are best avoided for dewy skin (and maybe even for <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/27/low-glycemic-foods-diet_n_1630893.html">maintaining weight loss</a>). Foods that are considered high glycemic can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar. A small Australian study from 2007 found that eating a <a href="http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/86/1/107.full">low-glycemic diet reduced acne</a> in young men. But Schultz says there will need to be more research before we truly understand the relationship. However, if <a href="http://www.youbeauty.com/skin/food-acne">glycemic index</a> does prove to be related to skin problems, and you find yourself breaking out after eating something like French fries, it may be due to the starchy insides rather than that greasy, golden exterior, according to YouBeauty.com.




  • Sugar


    If starchy foods that break down quickly into sugar are an issue, it's no surprise that straight sugar can be problematic for the skin in much the same way. High blood sugar can <a href="http://www.dailyglow.com/photo-gallery/the-10-worst-skin-habits#/slide-7">weaken the skin by affecting tissues like collagen</a>, according to Daily Glow, and leave you more vulnerable to lines and wrinkles. Which is why it's likely not anything particular to <em>chocolate</em>, a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/05/does-chocolate-cause-acne_n_1566076.html">rumored breakout culprit</a>, that's giving you trouble, but the high sugar content of that sweet treat. If you're worried about breakouts, but dying for a nibble, stick with the dark stuff -- it packs the most <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/28/chocolate-health-benefits_n_1383372.html">health benefits</a>, anyway.




  • Alcohol


    Alcohol is a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/28/alcohol-effects-body-infographic_n_2333328.html">natural diuretic</a>, which means the more you drink, the more dehydrated you become. It saps the natural moisture from your skin as well, which can make those <a href="http://www.womansday.com/style-beauty/beauty-tips-products/foods-good-for-skin#slide-3">wrinkles and fine lines seem like bigger deals</a>, according to Woman's Day. It can also trigger rosacea outbreaks, Schultz says.