Cold Sores & Home Remedies for Them – Do They Work? How Do They Compare to OTC and Prescription Medication?
A cold sore is a symptom of your infection by the Herpes Simplex Virus (sometimes simply known as “HSV”). This is normally a relatively benign disease that typically only manifests itself through the occasional skin irritation known as a cold sore–in other words, it’s basically harmless, irritating maybe, but harmless. It’s nothing to lose sleep over (unless you’re up with an itching cold sore!), but it can cause problems especially as far as
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your social and dating life goes, so I’m going to cover a bunch of various remedies and methods that myself and my friends have come up with over the years through sheer trial-and-error of testing out various methods gathered from internet forums, relatives, and |
friends (sometimes grandma knows what she’s talking about!).
Cold Sore First Aid
When you first start to feel that tingling sensation that by now you’ve come to learn indicates an oncoming cold sore:
- DO NOT SCRATCH. Most of you know this, but it’s vital so I thought I’d say that first. It will cause it to spread around your mouth and will only make things worse, so don’t do it no matter how much it itches.
- Keep your cold sore dry and clean–use a wash cloth and hot soapy water (and don’t forget to throw that infectious wash cloth straight into the washing machine afterwards, don’t let anyone else touch it!)
- Apply Vaseline (petroleum jelly) to the cold sore, it forms a barrier around it and will help to prevent it from spreading.
- Wash your hands every time after you touch the cold sore–YES, you can spread herpes to other parts of your body (such as your nose and eyes–Herpes simplex infection of the eye causes scarring of the cornea and is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. Source: The Mayo Clinic).
Home Remedies for Cold Sores that Work
- Benzyl Alcohol (aka “Zilactin”): Soak a Q-Tip in some Benzyl Alcohol and apply it to the cold sore twice a day, I’ve found that if you do this early enough it can sometimes (not guaranteed) stop a cold sore dead in it’s tracks. This is one of the very few home remedies endorsed by the Mayo Clinic: Mayo Clinic – Home Remedies for Cold Sores.
- Lysine: I’ve heard this before, and I do believe that it DOES help, but it’s not the end-all be-all cure that some have made it out to be, but it wouldn’t hurt to buy some lysine tablets and take them as soon as you feel a cold sore coming on (I’ve even heard of people recommending that you start taking lysine if you know that you’re in an environment
conducive to you getting a cold sore, i.e. high stress and/or cold dry weather, etc.), I’ve found that lysine does shorten the duration of a cold sore by a few days and can, in my opinion, help to prevent them if you’re taking it before you get one. Recommended dosage is 1000mg 3 times per day when you have an active outbreak or feel one coming on, and if you wish to take it as a preventative measure then 500mg once a day is typically the recommended dosage. For more information on lysine and cold sores, see: Lysine: Cold Sores Treatment? Dosage and How-To…
- Lysine Ointment: A pilot study by the Southern California University looked at the effectiveness of a lysine-containing ointment in 30 people. Researchers found that the ointment produced full resolution in 40% of participants by the third day and in 87 percent by the end of the sixth day. No adverse effects were reported. Source: http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/supplements/a/ColdSores.htm
- Witch Hazel: Dab on a Q-Tip and apply several times a day, does noticably shorten the duration of the cold sore, probably about the same as the Benzyl Alcohol.
- Probiotic Yogurt: Applying it topically several times a day has been noted to be very effective by several people and my friend Debbie swears by it: she ices her cold sore several times a day, uses a sterilized needle to drain any fluid (you have to get ALL of it out), and then applies the yogurt with a q-tip, and then tops it off with a dab of Clearasil or nail polish remover to keep it dry (this is very effective in my experience, I highy recommend the nail polish remover).
- Nail Polish Remover or Clearasil: These do an excellent job of keeping the cold sore completely dry after you’ve drained it of fluid (use a needle sterilized with alcohol), use a q-tip to apply.
- Vitamin B-12: Medical research in England found that many people with cold sores were low in B12, and that by adding 250 mcg. of B12 the condition improved rapidly. This research also suggested taking B complex supplements with emphasis on the B12 and folic acid.
- Lemon Balm: Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has antiviral properties. In a research study conducted in hospitals and dermatology clinics in Germany, lemon balm cream promoted the healing of blisters in five days compared to 10 days in the control group. Used on regularly, lemon balm cream may decrease the frequency of recurrences. Source: http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/supplements/a/ColdSores.htm
- Tea Bag Treatment: Tea contains tannic acid and it has been suggested that tannic acid possesses antiviral properties (some over-the-counter medications for cold sores contain tannic acid). Placing a
tea bag on a cold sore when it first begins to form (especially during the Tingle stage) can possibly help to minimize the extent to which the lesion will develop. One should position the moistened tea bag (regular black tea like that used to brew ice tea, some have suggested that Earl Grey works best) on the area where the cold sore is forming for a few minutes every hour. Source: http://www.animated-teeth.com/cold_sores/t4_cold_sores_treatments.htm
- Tea Tree Oil: There is some limited research that has shown that tea tree oil may have topical anti-viral activity, especially with the Herpes virus.
Something My Friend Concocted…
My best experience with home remedies is with something concocted by Grace, a close friend of mine, and I must say that this cold sore treatment has worked every single time for me (often inside of 24 hours), and even more impressive is I’ve seen it work on about 25 other people she’s tried it on, with very good consistency. She was so enthusiastic about her discovery that she has decided to turn it into an e-book, so I wouldn’t be much of a friend if I didn’t try to help her out a bit on my blog. One of the first women that we “experimented” on (she’s our close friend and was glad to give it a go), was Gretchen, who occasionally crosses the border from Wisconsin to come visit us, look at what she said:
“Grace,
I wanted to get a note to you to thank you for the information in your ebook. I must admit I was very skeptical when I read your instructions, but you were right on the money. My double bout with cold sores was gone after only 6 days. The best part of this entire program has been that to this point (3 months later), the cold sores have not returned. I can hardly believe it – thanks so much!”
Gretchen Rhodes, 47
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Please go have a look at my friend Grace’s solution for the matter here: Cold Sore Freedom: Cold Sores Cured in 3 Days–I’ve personally tried this and it is currently my favorite method of handling my cold sores, and it’s not because it’s necessarily the fastest (I’ve found that if I drain, wash, and apply nail polish remover to a cold sore several times a day while keeping an ice cube on it the WHOLE day, about 50% of the time it’ll be gone in about 2 days, but it’s unreliable at best and you can’t do ANYTHING else that day but attend to your cold sore). It’s because it works EVERY TIME, often within the first 24 hours–3 days is more like the unlikely maximum, you’re much more likely to see it gone within 24 hours or so–and it only requires a few minutes of your time every day, so I highly recommend you give it a chance and if it doesn’t work then just get your money back, no harm no foul we’re all still friends, ok?
23 responses so far ↓
1 Brandon // Jul 13, 2009 at 6:20 am
I’ve found that Lysine helps if you take 3,000mg at the first sign of a cold sore… it will actually retard the virus and up to 80% of the time stop the actual sore from forming on the lip…
If the sore has formed if you still take 3,000mg asap it will help shorten the duration of the episode by a couple of days… I continue to take 1,000mg 3 times a day for the duration of the episode…
keep ice on it as much as possible for the first 24 hours… I also use carmex for the soothing sensation that keeps me from bothering with it…
2 jezebel // Jul 22, 2009 at 1:06 pm
wow ive had cold sores since i was about 8 years old and i will definatley try some of the home remidies shown here…….. the nail polish remidie really makes sence.
3 Angela // Jul 22, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Iv found that if i put ice on a cold sore when i first start to feel that dreaded tinle, it can stop the cold sore completley or reduce the severity.
4 kimberley // Jul 27, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Hi read your info,going to try the tea idea.Didn’t have any tingling warning.First summertime cold sore ever!! Under a lot of Stress!!!let You know if this works for tonight.Tomorrow going to buy Zilactin it doesn’t scab over and disappears faster.Thx for the tips. Kim
5 Eric // Aug 7, 2009 at 2:11 am
I, too, have my first summertime cold sore. I’ve had it for about a week, but the first 3 days i felt it coming on. My wife recommended CARMEX® , and i can say, i don’t think it helped. I keep it clean, but i also work in the printing industry. One of the chemicals i use i an acetone based solvent. So, i think i’ll try the nail polsih remover remedy. (Because that is also acetone). This thing has been driving me NUTS. Yes, size of rhode island, and ooooo everyone is looking at it, yadda yadda. I came here for help and i believe i fould it.
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6 Meg // Aug 19, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Ugghhh…another cold sore due to stress. My dentist prescribed me acyclovir about year ago and it definitely helps. You take 5 pills immediately upon feeling the tingling and then 5 pills a day for 2 weeks, but usually it is gone with in a few days so then I stop taking it. I try to dry out my cold sores wiith salsylic acid and fresh lemon juice. It really helps
Best of luck!
7 jordan // Aug 28, 2009 at 3:25 am
CARMEX does not work, do not put that on your lip it carries the virus in the can of carmex and the next time u use It it will get another cold sore
8 Tristen // Oct 19, 2009 at 1:01 pm
I have had cold sores sinces i was 6 and i took Lysine every time i had one….. it does work But be careful by body got so use to it that it doesnt work on me any more….. and no i have YET another one….. Any GOOD adivise that you know will work??? its HUGE and ugle VERY embassing!
9 katherine // Oct 28, 2009 at 10:03 am
Thank you so much for this website, you have no idea how much I appreciate it. I got a cold sore the other day for the first time in years, and it’s so big and ugly that I am embarassed to even walk out of my house. I put Abreva on it right when I first felt the tingling, but that didn’t make a difference at all. I woke up the next morning, and there it was, as big as Mount Everest on the side of my mouth. I am going to try some of the things listed here (vaseline, nail polish remover & witch hazel). I am so glad I found this website.
10 Ray // Oct 31, 2009 at 1:10 pm
This may sound nasty but it really helps clear it up in 2-3 days but use the wax from your ears. It dries it up really fast.
11 Adriana // Nov 7, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Ray, that is repulsive.
12 Tyler Keown // Nov 9, 2009 at 4:51 pm
wow. erm. earwax? ew. LOL. but, some of theses remedies sound helpful. ima try a bunch of them. i hate these things, they are awful and ugly, (and im a junior in highschool, so all the herpes jokes spring up from the ignorant people who dont know the difference between the types. ) so, i hope some of these get rida this bad boy in a jiffy. My lips are one of my best features! =[
13 Andrew C // Nov 11, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Im using some sort prescription cream on my cold sore. My mom uses it and it stops hers from starting beyond tingling. No good for me, really!!!!!! I dont get a tingle EVER these last few years. Be fun to see the healing time, yah real fun…. I just notice once there is the initial bump and a bit red which means the virus has already penetrated the cells and is on its way out. I take immuno surrpressants so I seem to get them a lot. I have tryed a lot of this stuff over the years, I have honestly never experienced anything better than a week healing time. My blisters are breaking this evening so I am thinking this cream might be helping a bit and am hoping this sucker is gone by By this time next week. Good luck with the ear wax idea.
14 Ebony // Dec 7, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Ive got them every since i was a little girl and they are very painful. Im in college and i dnt have a lot of cash and i want it 2 go away as soon as possible i wanna try the alchohol but im scared it will burn. I heard of using a little listerine that does dry it out and doesnt burn as much. These things suck…makes me feel ugly!
15 Greg // Dec 9, 2009 at 5:50 pm
I get a sore every 6 months or so. Try taking motrin which reduces the inflammation. I also use RELEEV which you can buy at any drug store. If you get it early, it usually stops it from coming out. I am getting one now, and I am gonna try the ice cube and alcohol trick.
16 kristen // Dec 18, 2009 at 7:12 pm
The ear wax does work. Use peroxide& tea bags.
17 Patrick // Dec 21, 2009 at 3:17 pm
seems like i get one around winter every year… god i hate them!.. has anyone tried the cold sore freedom in 3 days? seems like scam but you dont know how happy it would make me if it wasnt..
ice generally greatly reduces the swelling and pain for me. going to try everything you got tho
Thanks
18 Lisa // Dec 29, 2009 at 1:17 pm
All I can say is THANK-YOU, THANK-YOU, I tried the nail polish romover and ice remedy. I was kinda skeptical at first but trust this woman people it works. I have tried alot of things to get rid of cold sores and nothing worked, this works. Thanks soooo much again.
19 hard one // Jan 4, 2010 at 4:08 pm
if i dab my balls in your mouth it would probably bring down the swelling, due to all the swelling happening in my genitalia, it brings a white-like substance that if rubbed all over will help get rid of it in no time
20 Kate // Jan 8, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Hey, I’m going to try the tea bags. I get a cold sore every winter because that’s when I get stressed out the most for some reason. It is just so embarassing to have them. I don’t want to do anything. Then when I go to work, people are just rude and ignorant saying how I have herpes. So I hope the tea bags work.
21 The Smooth One // Jan 9, 2010 at 1:51 pm
I found that once a cold sore has appeared, if you pop it, apply peroxide, wait till it whitens then clean off with alcohol and finally add abreva cream to the open sore….. This really speeds up the healing process. I like all the ideas everyone talks about on here and I find that alot of people recommend lysine to prevent cold sores, so I think I’ll check that out! Lots of love people!
22 3StepColdSoreRemedy.com // Jan 16, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Sounds like a very interesting method for cold sore relief. I have a few of my own.
Will try some of these methods as well.
Thanks.
23 3StepColdSoreRemedy.com // Jan 16, 2010 at 8:21 pm
@Kate,
Yep the tea bags work great. One of my favorite methods of prevention.
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