Q: Gluten is a general term for the proteins found in wheat, rye, barley and a few other grains — it's what makes bread, pasta and cereals chewy. Allergic reactions to gluten and related intestinal problems seem to be on the rise during the last few decades, but gluten can also trigger seizures in some people due to its inflammatory nature. As such, try adopting a gluten-free diet for a few months or so and see if your seizures disappear.  Gluten has always been in grains, but different agricultural practices, hybridization and genetic modifications starting back in the 1970s changed some of its properties, which has changed our body's reaction to it. Aside from the gluten content, grains are also rich in glutamate and aspartate, two very excitatory amino acids that impact the brain's electrical activity. In addition to most bread, baked goods, pasta and cereal, gluten is also found in many canned soups, sauces, salad dressings, vegetarian products and even beer. Soy is a legume and considered an important crop because it's a cheap source of plant protein. Soy products and additives have become very popular over the past few decades, and are commonly found in baby food and infant formulas. Unfortunately, soy is one of the most common food allergens among kids and able to trigger serious allergic reactions and potential seizures.  If your child has seizures, consider removing soy products from their diet and see how they respond. It may be labeled as vegetable protein, textured vegetable protein or soy isolate — sometimes it is not even labelled. Like most grains, soy is also very high in glutamine, and excitatory amino acid that affects brain chemistry. Soy and related derivatives are found in soy sauce, tofu, edamame, baby formula, many baked goods, cereals, canned soups, salad dressings, processed meats, hot dogs, canned tuna, energy bars, low-fat peanut butter and most non-dairy alternatives (soy milk, ice cream, etc.). Although glucose (a simple type of sugar) is typically considered the main fuel source for the brain, too much of it is linked to promoting or triggering seizures in some people. Cutting back on sugar can control seizures through reducing any unpredictable and abnormal bursts of electrical activity in the brain, according to scientists. This is particularly important for epileptics, but also people who have a "sweet tooth" that suffer from seizures.  A low sugar, high-fat diet (called a ketogenic diet) is beneficial for anyone who experience seizures because it forces brain neurons to stop relying on glucose for fuel and use ketone bodies (from fat) instead. Natural sugars directly from fresh fruit and veggies are not really the culprit. Instead, cut back on heavily processed sugars such as high-fructose corn syrup, baking sugar and table sugar. Candy, chocolate, ice cream, frozen desserts, most baked goods, many breakfast cereals, specialty coffees, soda pop and many sweetened beverages are loaded with processed sugars. Dairy products are other types of problematic foods and drinks that create a lot of allergic reactions, as well as some seizures, in children and adults. Not only are there a variety of hormones and sometimes contaminants in cow's milk that negatively impact the brain, but dairy is also high in glutamine. Many generations ago, dairy offered much more nutritional and health benefits than negatives, although the same can't be said in modern times.  Switching to dairy-free diet might be the healthiest choice for some people, especially if they are allergic, lactose intolerant or experience seizures. Dairy products, such as ice cream and yogurts, are often mixed with lots of processed sugar, which can be a "double whammy" for triggering seizures. Cow-based cheeses that appear to be the worst for triggering seizures and other negative reactions include Parmesan, cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack and mozzarella. For epileptics and others with seizures, goat-based dairy products seem to be a very good alternative to cow-based ones, certainly much more so than soy alternatives.
A: Be careful with gluten. Watch out for soy products. Cut back on processed sugar. Consider avoiding dairy.

Q: Ice works jointly to create an environment inhospitable to the virus that causes the sore, as well as to reduce pain and inflammation that the sore may be causing. Use an ice pack or a cool water compress, rather than touching ice directly to the sore. Do not apply a cold compress for more than 10-15 minutes at a time. Apply a cold compress several times a day to effectively ease discomfort and ward off infection. Tea tree oil may be used as an effective topical antiviral. Dissolve a bit of tea tree oil in two or three times as much water and apply it intermittently to the area before the cold sore has formed for several hours. This could help prevent the lesion from forming and worsening once it has come up. The proteins in milk help to heal the sore, while the cold temperature of the liquid will soothe any pain you may be experiencing. Dab a cotton ball in milk and apply it liberally to the sore several times a day. This can be done at the onset when you realize a sore might be starting up as well. Keeping the cold sore covered up with petroleum jelly will help to block out bacteria and viruses that worsen the infection. Apply an ample amount of the jelly to the sore to keep it covered up and moist at all times. Be sure to do this with a clean q-tip or freshly washed hands to prevent the further spread of bacteria from your fingers to the blister. The vinegar works to dry out the blister, kill bacteria, and even out the pH of the sore. Applying the vinegar to an open sore may sting a bit. Use a cotton swab to dab on the vinegar to the sore several times a day. This classic antibacterial works to simultaneously kill bacteria that may infect the blister while drying out the skin in the area. Pour a little onto the sore or use a cotton pad to swipe some on multiple times daily. The nutrients and antioxidants in green tea work wonders on soothing cold sores and increasing the speed at which they heal. Make a cup of green tea, and then use the tea bag placed directly on the cold sore after cooling. For an extra bit of relief, refrigerate or freeze the tea bag before placing it on your fever blister. Garlic is one of those home remedies that seems to have ties to curing many minor ailments. Create a paste out of crushed or chopped garlic and apply it to your cold sore for 15 minutes. The antibacterial properties of the garlic will help to disinfect the area and increase the healing time. Be warned, garlic is potent and may sting a bit when applied. Although a slight sting-inducer, salt applied directly to your fever blister will help to speed up the healing process. Leave the salt on for a few minutes so it has time to set in, and then rinse off and follow up with a dab of pure aloe vera. The follow up with aloe will help to soothe the irritated sore and relieve any pain the salt caused. Do this 4 times a day until the cold sore is gone. Alcohol is used in the process of making the vanilla extract which could be the reason why vanilla extract helps to heal cold sores. Topical medications, such as docosanol and tromantadine can be taken to curb the outbreak. Although doctors do not know precisely how docosanol fights herpes simplex, they do know that it enter the cytoplasm of cells. Tromantadine works by changing the surface composition of skin cells.
A:
Apply a cold compress to the sore. Use tea tree oil. Dab on some milk. Coat it in Vaseline. Try apple cider vinegar. Use hydrogen peroxide. Put on a tea bag. Chop up some garlic. Dab on some salt. Soak a cotton swab with Pure Vanilla extract. Take a topical antiviral medication.