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 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.
How the cold sore virus replicates and how to stop it
This is going to go into a bit of detail, there’s going to be a bit of science and some medical terms, but if you’ll stick with me til the end you’ll really have an excellent understanding of how this nasty little virus works and how a few simple tweaks in what you eat (most importantly: what to stop eating) and maybe a special supplement you probably haven’t heard of before (don’t worry, I’m not selling it and it’s not expensive) can not only eliminate your cold sore in a day or two but also prevent them from every coming back again. Let’s get started…
What causes a cold sore?
A cold sore is an outward symptom of an outbreak of the Herpes Simplex Virus (usually Type 1, aka “HSV-1″, although HSV-2 can cause oral herpes) usually due to a decreased in immune function, a very common cause of which is exposure to cold weather hence the name “cold sore”. To the left you will see the culprit: that’s HSV-1 magnified 169,000 times by scanning electron microscope–growl at it or flip it the bird if it makes you feel better 
The herpes virus remains dormant in the sensory nerve cells of your face until an outbreak, and no, sorry, there’s no cure: once you’ve been infected, you’ve got it for life. It’s almost always going to be the type 1 strain (HSV-1) of herpes that causes oral cold sores, however cases of HSV-2 causing them have been documented, so it’s possible, although rare. However, 1 in 6 cases of genital herpes are causes by HSV-1 (genital herpes is usually associated with HSV-2), so that’s somewhat more likely, although the old axiom that if it’s above the waist it’s HSV-1 and if it’s below the waist it’s HSV-2 does still generally hold true.
How Did I Originally Get Infected? Or: WHY GRANDMA WHY?!?!
Studies have shown that, the vast majority of the time, oral herpes is transmitted most commonly in someone’s youth when they are kissed by a relative who’s infected and suffering from an active cold sore outbreak–yeah, that sucks. This is especially likely if you started getting cold sores when you were a small child, which would mean that you were infected when you were very young and therefore most likely acquired it from close contact with an infected relative suffering from an active outbreak. If you acquired it later in life then something else is probably the cause, most likely that you acquired it from an intimate partner through physical contact i.e. kissing someone with a cold sore.
Cold Sore Treatments, Medications, and Remedies
There’s a great variety of treatments that myself and my friends have tried over the years: most of us originally went the prescription-combined-with-OTC (over-the-counter) route where we were prescribed something like Acyclovir or Valacyclovir and then used an OTC cream like Abreva. Over the years we’ve found (myself included) that the best those can do is to shave 1 maybe 2 days off of an outbreak, and that’s about it. We’ve found, through trial-and-error between us over the years, that there are more effective remedies you can put together in your kitchen. Not only that, but there are preventative measures that you can take which will often prevent a cold sore outbreak altogether from happening again, ever, from supplements like l-lysine and Vitamin B-12 to minor but hugely effective little diet changes like avoiding vinegar at certain times because it lowers your blood pH levels and creates an environment much more favorable to the virus replicating and wreaking havoc on your face.
pH Levels, Oxygen, and Stopping the Virus Cold in Its Tracks
The Herpes Simplex Type I virus that causes your cold sores has a very narrow pH range that its environment must be within for it to be able to live and reproduce (by the way, pH is just how acidic or basic something is–acids have a low pH and bases, such as lye, have a high pH) your body’s own pH range can easily sway into this territory from time to time due to a number of factors, the most common causes of which are stress, decreased immune function, certain foods, lack of sleep, and excess sunlight–now, where have you seen these factors mentioned before? Probably in an article you read about the most common triggers for cold sores, right? Even if you haven’t read about it I’m sure you already know it anyway because you almost certainly would have noticed it: your cold sores tend to occur when you’re stressed out, when your immune system is down (this most commonly occurs when you’re ill or when it’s very cold out), when your diet changes (usually in an unhealthy way, such as the addition of junk food you weren’t eating before), when you’re not getting enough sleep, etc., right?
The reason for this is that when you allow these things to happen to you, you’re creating an environment that is the most favorable for the virus to reproduce and live in (it’s when the virus starts suddenly massively reproducing that you get cold sores) by altering your normal pH level for the worse and making it very difficult for your immune system to keep the virus at bay, which it does most of the time, which is why you don’t have cold sores most of the time–your immune system is doing it’s job, it’s only when you make it difficult for it to do its job that problems start to pop up. So, essentially, if you can get your pH level back to normal then the cold sores vanish (this is a bit of an oversimplification, but I just don’t have the room here to explain the whole process). Plus, if you just follow a couple simple guidelines concerning diet and cheap, over-the-counter supplements, you can possibly prevent them from ever coming back, or at least make them very rare (most people who follow the program described below will go several years between cold sores, which is usually a huge improvement for them). Now, how do you do that?
My friend Derek, after a couple years of experimentation (primarily on himself! he suffered horribly from cold sores for years) and some consultation with several doctors and herbal specialists, came up with a program he shared with me a couple years back that took some things we already knew about how to get rid of cold sores (taking l-lysine, avoiding stress and too much sunlight, yada yada) to a whole other level, I mean I was just completely blown away, what he originally showed me was a multi-page, super-detailed program he came up with that utilized a few small (as in they won’t inconvenience you) adjustments in diet that make a big difference primarily involving what not to eat, along with a combination of several herbal supplements (one is l-lysine, but the dosage is different from what you’d normally take since you’re combining it with other supplements) including a new one I’d never heard of called “cat’s claw” that came from some weird tree bark in the Peruvian rain forest, plus a couple others that, when combined, have a very powerful and immediate effect on your body’s pH level and can quickly bring the Herpes virus to a dead halt, but they have to be combined just right in the correct dosages, plus your diet has to be right because if you’re eating any of the several things that can throw off your pH level then it might not work. He’s currently put together a fantastic 84-page report you can get here (it’s pretty easy reading, you can get through it in a couple hours, no worries) that I highly recommend you check out, just listen to what the guy has to say, he knows what he’s doing believe me. I wish I could just give the whole thing to you here, but it’s 84 pages long and there’s just no way I can fit that into a blog post, plus he won’t let me due to copyright issues (I asked already, in fact I had to be careful about how much I gave away to you here about his method!).
I just can’t tell you how much of a difference this has made in my life, I used to suffer from cold sores nearly every other month, it was horrible: cold outside? cold sore. hot outside? cold sore. job-related stress? cold sore. the flu? cold sore bonus, yay! have trouble sleeping? cold sore. I haven’t had one in nearly 3 1/2 years now, and it all started when I first got that e-mail from Derek detailing something he spent years testing and researching and months writing the rough draft. At the time I had a terrible outbreak, two on my mouth and one just on the edge of my nostril, and they were gone in 48 hours, never to return. I follow his simple guidelines about not eating certain foods when I’m especially susceptible to cold sores (I’m stressed, not getting enough sleep, feeling a little under the weather, etc.) and I always take my daily supplements (3 little pills, which are good for you and have multiple other benefits, plus they’re cheap as dirt from my local drug store). If I feel a cold sore coming on, that familiar little tingle, I up the dosage to the level he recommends for when you actually have a cold sore (quite a bit higher than the normal dosage you use to prevent them) and then the tingle goes away and I never see a cold sore pop up, works every time. Again, just for your own benefit I’d recommend you check out his site and see what he has to say, it’ll take 5 minutes, that’s it: go here to learn how to eliminate cold sores in just a day or two and keep them from coming back ever again.
Cheers,
Lizzy
148 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.
E
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 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.
20 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!
21 Jane // Feb 9, 2010 at 5:05 pm
I was recommended RMA Soothing Ointment last year to get rid of cold sores, and I completely recommend it too! It comes in a little pot, kind of like Carmex, but it kills the coldsore SO FAST! I put it on constantly throughout the day, in addition to draining and icing, and it just absorbs right into your lip, not like Abreva which leaves waxy residue on your lip. It seems to stop the cold sore from getting really big, and heals within days!
I’m glad to have these other remedies to try in addition, but if you haven’t tried the RMA Ointment yet, I really recommend it!
22 hannah // Feb 17, 2010 at 4:53 pm
I have had cold sores scence i was in 1st grade now im in 5th and i will defantly try these! thanxs
23 DEEZEE // Mar 21, 2010 at 7:35 pm
No earwax. No nail polish remover. Use tooth paste. Trust me.
24 Corina./: // Apr 11, 2010 at 12:17 am
Litterly i have tried everything on this list and everything online.
Its sad.
but really use some Campho-Phenique and it will be gone!
not soon but give it a day of to.
try not to get some in your mouth cause its so nastyy!!
I’m 13, I’ve had cold sores since i was 6 or 7.
and I saw the ear wax thing above ^^.
I haven’t try’d that and I’m not planning on it!
but you can and tell me about it(:
Thanks anyways.
-Corina(:
25 Brittney // Apr 18, 2010 at 1:55 pm
I have cold sores that have turned yellow and my lip looks infected. Can somebody tell me what to do because I use abreva but there not getting any better. Do I peel off that yellow layer? Then add abreva?
26 Ercaa // Apr 18, 2010 at 8:22 pm
campho phenique hasn’t done anything for me, and I’ve been using it all week.
27 Hayley // Apr 21, 2010 at 5:43 pm
I just got my first cold sore ever! And I must say it is discusting! I am going to try these remedies and I pray to god that they work.
*-HayleyRenea-*
28 Kate G // Apr 27, 2010 at 12:35 am
I got the tingly feeling of a cold sore coming on today, threw some nail polish remover on it and I’m hoping this stupid thing is GONE tomorrow!
Please let me know what works best for all who have tried these tips!
Thanks!
29 Rachelle // May 18, 2010 at 2:50 pm
I have one right now too. I also have been getting them since I was a child. Tried almost everything. The nail polish and toothpaste burn like crazy. I get them seldom now due to the preventive measure of staying hydrated. Drinking lots of water and constantly keeping my lips hydrated. Chapstick with spf 15. Unfortunately I caught a cold and this is what must have brought it on. Or the fact that I used a facial hair remover for my upper lip and it totally dried my skin out. So it could have been that too. I have been smothering it with Carmex chapstick and trying to not touch it at all. I don’t want to irritate it. I use a qtip to scoop out some carmex and apply it with that, not reusing the qtip. It arrived yesterday and seems to be the same small size. So far so good, but not gone yet. Another remedy I am going to try is a mixture of raw honey (with the propolis and all) and cinnamon. I will let you know how it works. I am all about remedies that don’t sting or hurt. I do believe in keeping it moist to prevent scabbing.
30 kylie // May 23, 2010 at 2:07 pm
will nail polish remover ACTUALLY work ? it just sounds like it’ll sting and spread the soar. My cold soar at the moment is still closed, and has been here for 2 days now. I dont know if its a sun blister or what, because i was recently outside in the scortching sun for the whole day, 12 hours.
31 Sabs // Jun 1, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Hello i just got a cold sore today and i was reading some of these coments and i tryed the nail polish remover i hope it works
32 Sore // Jun 16, 2010 at 9:05 am
My daughter has a massive cold sore that has been swelling her lip up to the size of a ping pong ball, we were looking for additional treatments when we found your site.
I have read a lot of the same information on other websites, but the fingernail polish was new.
I was really glad that you took the time to post all of the information that you did, then I guess I was surprised that you are also peddling an e-book on cold sores at the same time.
Thank you for the information that you did share, good luck with the e-book sales.
~ Surprised
33 Sadie // Jun 20, 2010 at 12:02 pm
I have never heard of some of these tips.Is there any other tips that you guys know of without involving a needle, that works pretty good and gets rid of the cold sore over night?I would really appreciate it! Thanks
34 Dan F. // Jul 2, 2010 at 5:36 pm
I have had cold sores since I was a young boy and now I’m 63 and am still getting them. In fact, I’m dealing with one right now, with the little blisters and swelling. I saw that a vaccine is in the making and I’ll be first to get one. But now, think I’ll try the alcohol and ice(sounds like a drink). Good luck all!!!!
35 Olay // Jul 6, 2010 at 3:41 pm
This thing is really nasty. I know that earwax works for boil, I have not tried it for this thing that I have now, but unfortunately my ears are cleanout. I will try alcohol. Good luck to all.
36 StratCat // Jul 10, 2010 at 8:16 pm
I never used to eat yogurt until I read about it being good for cold sores, so I started… and in my experience, it makes a big difference. Adding yogurt to my daily diet and taking acidophilus capsules if I feel something funny happening have kept me cold sore free for almost 2 years. (I still hate yogurt though, but whatever works!…)
37 StratCat // Jul 10, 2010 at 8:18 pm
I never used to eat yogurt until I read about it being good for cold sores, so I started… and in my experience, it makes a big difference. Adding yogurt to my daily diet and taking acidophilus capsules if I feel something funny happening have kept cold sores away or made them small and short-lived for over 2 years.
38 matt // Jul 12, 2010 at 12:02 pm
brittney no do not peal of the yellow just keep on applying abreva trust me, mine is yellow and am putting abreva , i have used it before and it does work…just dont peel of the yellow or it can lead to an infection
39 angela // Jul 18, 2010 at 11:51 am
last night about 6pm i started noticing the familiar tingle and bump on my lip of a cold sore. these things have essentially terrorized me since i was eight yrs old. i think i got it from using the same washcloth as other members of my family, because both my mom and dad get them, too. they both retired and are more stress-free, so they rarely have issues with it anymore. anyways, this is the fifth outbreak within this month (i get them by my eye sometimes, too) becuz it has been a particularly stressful month. i needed some advice and found this site! i iced it for two whole ice cubes immediately (i’ve tried this in the past with some success, but not a complete clear up), applied a dab of nail polish remover and later a dab of toothpaste. i bought some Lysine and took 1000 mgs, zinc lozenges and vitamin A gel pills. the cold sore started to blister per usual, but the ice and pressure (this might be part of the key components) i applied made it feel a whole lot better. i woke up this morning and it was BARELY THERE. i took another zinc lozenge and will take another 1000 mgs of Lysine and vitamin A, apply more toothpaste and maybe later a little more nail polish. possibly repeat for a third day, if necessary. i have never tried any of these things, but it really did work for me and stopped the cold sore in its tracks. the blisters are not only fluid-free, but also smoothed out. thank you all for your great advice & letting me vent a bit on such a “sore” subject.
40 Bekah // Jul 22, 2010 at 2:45 pm
dang it i just got another dreaded one. and i have to go to a party on sunday, these evil things are extremly embarrasing.so i tried like all of these so hopefully it will be gone by sunday please.:/
41 Bekah // Jul 22, 2010 at 2:47 pm
dang it i just got another dreaded one. and i have to go to a party on sunday, these evil things are extremly embarrasing since im in high school they wont leave me alone bout it.so i tried like all of these so hopefully it will be gone by sunday please.:/
42 Reyna // Jul 27, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Well i get a cold sore every yr at least twice and right know i have two ugh suks.i usually put lemon juice on it and it helps it aliitle but im guna try the nail polish remover seems like it works.hopefully it does thanks!!!! =)
43 laura // Jul 27, 2010 at 2:46 pm
i have a cold sore and its at the crusting stage. i need it gone in 3 days. is that possible? if yes, how?
44 robin // Jul 27, 2010 at 7:49 pm
I am an expert on coldsores. I;m 40 and have been getting them since I was a small child. Here are some of the things that work best for me. As soon as you feel it coming on…….no matter where you are, apply ice. Really halts the virus. I keep a prescription of Valtrex on hand. Now that its generic, it’s relatively cheap….Less than abreva. I take as recommended. I too will pop the blisters, however I find that if you start valtrex soon enough you don’t have too. No one has mentioned herpecin. I find that it works best with keeping it moist, aids in healing and really helps speed up healing. I just got one yesterday…..first one this summer…..due to a dermabrasion and a photofacia. It’s been 36 hours and it has already crusted and is starting to peel off. I’m shooting for a recovery by weeks end…..EVERYONE THAT GETS COLD SORES SHOULD CALL THEIR MD AND REQUEST A SCRIPT FOR VALTREX AND INSIST IT’S ACCOMPANIED BY REFILLS!
45 Jar // Jul 29, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Hi!I thought to be through with those after last time. I used garlic – lots of hurt, but long time nothing. Yersterday I was dehydrated so that I had to go to hospital for 2 days to get better) All of my lips are one huge cold sore – and beyond. Got Zovirax..nothing. Very scary. I do eat vitamins, yogurt and all but anyway. This is the worst ever. Keep drinking, do not get Gastro-virus! Wish me good luck. When this breaks, aj aj aj.
46 Gale // Aug 2, 2010 at 10:35 pm
My husband applies Clorox to his cold sores and within 2 to 3 days, his dry’s up. But you must pop it first. Yes this will sting but it works for him.
47 Joy // Aug 8, 2010 at 10:36 pm
I have had these for years and years – nothing works – except keeping it clean – and taking vB everyday – i neglectied my vB and now have another one – it’s a beacon like a lighthouse! I hate them and wish you all good luck!!!
48 Amber // Aug 13, 2010 at 2:41 pm
My husband used to get the darn things 5- 6 times a year and thanks to 20 years of marrige – I have em too…
but have found the most AMAZING thing….. not the cheapest…..but it works like a hot D*%m! I originally got mine at Shoppers Drug Mart – Canada – Its called Intercept – cost 99 dollars – and the refill for the little “chip” to make the infrared treatment work is $20 but -use it when you feel the tingle and NO COLD SORE!! Use it when you wake up with the cold sore – you are down to 2 days…max. I understand the cost – if the refills were cheap – it would be tempting to throw 3 -4 “treatments” in (more is better -Right? wrong… 
) – and possibly burn yourself….
if anyone wants to email me for more info – go ahead – I don’t work for the company – I buy my refills off Ebay. Hope this helps someone else!!
it makes way more sense – look it up on http://www.InterceptCS.com – all the info is there-
the best part is that as you use it – the breakouts become less and less – further and further apart – my husband hasn’t had a breakout in over a year and it’s been almost 2 for me!!!
Pair it up with Abreva and lipactin – and suffer no more!
A
49 alexv // Aug 20, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Ice seems to work for me best, but you have to start icing as soon as you feel the tingle. The earlier you catch it and start icing the less severe the breakout will be. The only thing that sucks is you have to ice all day! Again only works if you catch it in its early stages. Ive had ice work so well that it was practically gone in 24 hours and usually never more than 3 days.
Stress is my breakout factor. Recently went through a breakup of 5 years and lo and behold I have a cold sore the next day. I wish there was a cure.
50 Aaron // Sep 5, 2010 at 6:39 am
These methods seem to work rather well but I have to comment on the fact that it does annoy me that your friend Grace has supposedly found a way to help with cold sores and yet rather than share the secret out of the kindness of her heart she has decided it would be better to instead make money off people?
I just find myself doubting if it is worth the money and considering how she claims she suffered a great deal for a long time and wasted so much money on the cold sores that she has then decided to make money from other people going through the same problem?
Lastly, if it was a true remedy it would have been all over the news and loads of doctors/scientists would have jumped on it as soon as it was in the public eye because then they could find out what it is that helps get rid of the cold sores and make a more effective medicine.
So I wouldn’t bother with Grace’s e-book but these other methods work well so thank you for them.
51 CandiceAnne. // Sep 22, 2010 at 9:55 am
well, I tired tea-tree oil. I always had it at my house but never used it. I’m 18 and my boyfriends comming over this weekend. yuck, hes not going to be happy. hahahahahha can anyone tell me how long this stuff usually takes in order for it to have effect?
52 Joe // Sep 25, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Candice, in my experience straight tea tree oil will have very little effect. Everyone’s body responds differently but cold sores are REALLY resistant to most treatments and even “effective” treaments can take DAYS if not a week or more. I posted what i feel is the most consistent, most effective and fastest treament above – prolonged contact with isopropyl alcohol. It works every time for me. Here’s the blog with everything you need to know including toxicity.
http://cureacoldsore.blogspot.com/
53 Alison // Sep 29, 2010 at 7:25 pm
I tried the pro biotic yogurt with nail polish remover that your friend swears by, wow that works! I woke up this morning with a nice cluster of blisters on my bottom lip, it was painful and grew bigger as the morning went on. I found this sight, I had Natural pro biotic yogurt. I Used a sterilized pin to empty the blisters (got ALL the liquid out – as instructed) put on the pro biotic yogurt and dripped some nail polish remover on top of that. Left it for 30mins and repeated that 3 times with in an hour and a half. HUGE difference even at that point. Then for the rest of the day I dabbed on nail polish remover to keep it dry.
The sore is barely there right now. There’s no bump AT ALL. I can barely feel it anymore. Its like it just shriveled right up.
The yogurt was soothing and actually took away the pain, the nail polish remover stings a bit but it does a good job of keeping the site dry.
Thanks for making this site. I would suggest everyone tries this treatment. It works great!
54 Jazmin // Oct 11, 2010 at 10:59 pm
I applied nail polish remover, and hopefully it works! (:
55 Shirley // Oct 18, 2010 at 9:08 am
I had a cold sore for 7 days shortest yet for me I started out with the salt and ice the first 2 days and this helped dry the site before it grew to big. then I found this site and tried the ice and nail polish remover and in 2 days noticed a difference at night tried the toothpaste washed it up in the morning and did the nail polish remover all day by the third day the sore scabbed over and applied polysporin to prevent it cracking and bleeding this happens when I smile, and this morning its gone I am glad I found this site and thanks for the tips I started the nail polish remover three days in to the cold sore and it still only took the 3 days to clear it up…This is great I will continue with the ice and nail polish for future outbreaks for sure.
56 Collette // Oct 19, 2010 at 8:33 am
Hi, I have been getting cold sores since I was around 7 and im 20 now.. When I was younger I got them more often but now that im older I get them once every 5 or 6 months.. I have tryed most of the over the counter cold sore treatments, nail polish remover, tooth paste, tea bags, vasaline, and neosporin.. NONE of them work!! please someone say something that will more then likely clear this gross thing up in a couple days!!
57 Wendex // Oct 31, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Hey Pplz’! This Is Like My First Cold Sore And I’m Happy to read That I’m Not the Only One Who Has One. lol. But I’m Going to try Some Of These! Hopefully they Work! *Crossed Fingers*
58 Dakota // Nov 11, 2010 at 1:23 pm
I have had cold sores off and on, about every 2-3 months since I was about 8, Im now 21 and still suffereing due to my career and being fatigued/stressed often. At times, I do get up to 4 at a time. I recently was prescribed Valtrex – Take 1 3x a day as soon as the tingling sensation starts, and continue to take until the sore is gone. There is also an antibiotic cream I have that fights the virus from the outside in. I find these both reduce the severity and prevent it from spreading.
I find staying away from Acidic foods, exercising often to reduce stress, taking Lysine as a preventative measure, and Cats Claws to boost my immune system all help.
Toothpaste has worked the best for me to dry the sore out.
Remember to wash your hands frequently, avoid touching the sore, and keep your mouth clean. Replace tooth brushes often to avoid the spread of cold sores.
59 Judy // Nov 12, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Okay….I was desperate to get rid of a huge cold sore so I took a leap of faith and tried the nail polish remover and toothpaste. OMG! I am 44 years old and have suffered with cold sores for over 30 years and finally I found something that actually works. Thanks so much for sharing this information.
60 melissa // Nov 16, 2010 at 6:21 pm
okay so ive been sufering cold sores for about 5 years now and they are horrible.
i’ve finally been able to notice when i am getting one.
last night i felt that tingle and itchiness but i had no visible symtoms yet i put ice on for the entire night and put a little bit of rubbing alchol on it. i was expecting to wake up with a huge cold sore this morning nope only a barely noticable small bump but i felt as the day went on it was getting bigger but i still wasn’t noticeable to anyone but myself so i thought i usually put aberva on when my cold sore is bad and it helps the healing. so i went out and bought aberva and applied it about three times. that little bump completly disappered and the tingly and itchesness is gone! im hoping i prevented the cold sore! so my advice put aberva on the second u feel that first tingle and u wont get the cold sore! hopefully tomorow i wont wake up with one though loll
61 danailda // Nov 16, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Omg my wedding is this sat. and I have going so crazy about this cold sore….I have hold off the wedding cause the cold sore is bigger than texas but I will try the nail polish remover…maybe tht clorox idea..anything to make this go away
Wish me luck
62 ashley // Nov 17, 2010 at 7:53 pm
i cant stand itttttt. so embarasing!!!!!nothig i try works!!!!
63 rob // Nov 22, 2010 at 7:43 am
I’m 39 and have been plagued with these nasty things since age 5! when i was a child i would get them 4-5 times a year.I noticed as i have aged i get them less, only once a year now! This won’t work for the ladies, but for you guys out there i have always found that shaving with shave creme and a razor and then applying aftershave to the sore immediately after scraps the blisters away and then dries it out! The problem with this is that you are left with an open wound which has to then scab and heal which takes a good week!
64 melissa // Nov 29, 2010 at 10:54 pm
guys i wanna help u so listen to me!!
read my cmment from two weeks ago that cold sore went away!!! put ice the first tingle and aberva and the cold sore never comes hope i can help yaaa
65 coldsore help! // Dec 5, 2010 at 5:43 am
Hey everyone. Well I am just like you. i get those terrible sores. They are so bloody awful. Well I have been stressed and I think its probably why it came. It started on Thursday. I sometimes get twinges or ichy moments and don’t think about it. But on Thursday I thought, this might be a cold sore, I should pop a veltrex. nah, so i didn’t. stupid, ya friday I got a lil bumb, damn it! So i did the veltrex pills. ( go to your doctor, say I get cold sores, veltrex helps can I get a dose with refills. ) They are about $60.00 in canada, (not sure anywhere else) but they are worth the money! So first you are supposed to take about 3- 4 pills the first sign. then the next day take 4 more (the bottle will explain) Now if it starts to go away, just take less pills or none. Anyway. so this is one of those things that will actually work.
I read some of the info on here and I decided to try it. I first iced the lil guy, – for a few hours. This really helps with swelling, and the two yellow circles were shrinking noticeably, plus the bump was much lessoned. Then I applied nail polish remover – which i never had, first time. I definitely helped dry it up. Then I applied a small amount of toothpasth on it. It felt really good, nice tingled. Which is reallly great to meditate with. (your body is amazing, it can heal. What I do is- I focus my thoughts on to the tingling sensation, and repeat. “thank you for my healing” Then I feel healing in my body. This is important because one wants to keep positive. I know its tough because it seems so small and insignificant but it just effects you so much. Its hard not to get negative, and scared that you are going to have it for such a long time. Don’t worry, It will go away sooner doing this. Okay So next step….I continued drying it up with nail polish remover and rubbing a little bit of toothpaste. (toothpast will whiten over top of the bump. just remove it. ) Continue to this and. Ill write more with my progress.
Drink lots – TONS of water. Really clean out your system.
Okay, people say don’t mask it with makeup. Well lame. – It will probably slow down the healing but can doing this can become a way to still enjoy life during one. I buy the redest blush I can find without glitter in it. (i have pretty read lips- basically go a shade darker then your normal shade.)
Then after you clean it out just dab on a little blush to your lip. It actual seems to help dry out the lil guy. then just use the nailpolish to remove and clean it out with it.
hmm Well, I will keep you posted on my developments.
Hope this works! I know its …irritating but with these steps it makes it a little less stressful about cold sores when you are stressed in your life!
66 Ashley // Dec 12, 2010 at 8:10 pm
i have had coldsores since i can remember. I sometimes alternate between lypactin and abreva, but i find if you use it too much it just stops working. Ive used valtrex but i find it works the best only if you have the tingling sensation first. Once the coldsore is out though, i dont find it speeds up the healing process. Now i know this will hurt like hell but rubbing alcohol works. I always drain the blister first, and then apply rubbing alcohol with a cute tip. stings for a few seconds but drys it up so quick. I woke up with 3 today so ive been researching home remedies all night. People are swearing by Licorice lip balm….i see you can buy it in the UK but im in canada and am hoping i can find it! People use it daily as their lip balm and it has prevented them from getting cold sores for years…..one can only hope!!! I will try out some of these home remedies….i really hope it works because they hurt and my lips feel like they are falling apart! best of luck everyone!
67 Danielle // Dec 15, 2010 at 4:57 am
heya, I get coldsores really badly if i am severley rundown, very stressed out & down or my immune system is low…
* Zovirax, a coldsore cream by the company gsk (GlaxoSmithKline) is good, but only if it is small and you apply as soon as you know ur getting one. it says to apply 5 times a day for 4 days. the active ingredient is Aciclovir 5% w/w cream.
* Tea Tree oil – using a cotton bud and undiluted, over the area where it is to dry it out and becoz it has antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral action. works well but havent found anything to use on the area when it is really dry….
* Betadine Antispetic Ointment – still giving this a go but it seems to be really working.
*using a cotton tip for everything being used on the area to avoid contaminating anything
*lots of sleep, water, lysine tablets, zinc tablets.
68 cass // Dec 16, 2010 at 10:47 am
I have had Herpes simplex type 1 (Cold sores) since I was 6 years old, I got it from someone who jabbed a pencil in my cheek and it spread from my jaw and up near my eye so my whole left face was covered in blusters. I learned to control them by vitamins, and yogurt. I only get them once a year sometime I go 3 years free from this nasty virus. But when I do get them I get them in my nose and out side my nose. I get pills from the doctor its called valacyclovir and it works great and fast. don’t let it run your life, when I get them now i think its a wake up call saying your not taking care of your self. Eat yogurt everyday and take vitamins and drink milk because calcium keeps it away. we are all stuck with it for the rest of our life
69 faresh // Dec 26, 2010 at 2:05 am
I have had this nasty cold sore for the last few days and it is getting bigger even tho I tried Abreva and kept the area clean. I never had cold sore this big that would spread to my chin!…so im scared if it stays the same or get worse!
I was checking this site and read all comments and suggestions…since I had nail polish remover at home, i tried some just awhile ago….oh it burns!!! but whatever works! …I hope it does
70 Dori // Dec 30, 2010 at 10:28 pm
This website is very helpful………..Thanks!
71 Christine Lusk // Jan 11, 2011 at 3:47 pm
Thank you to everyone who have offered their suggestions on here. I just got another bloody cold sore today and it really hurts this time. My blister just came out at lunchtime (it is still very small, but I will tell you it feels way worse than it looks) I have a prescription for the pills and am hoping its not too late. I will also try ice and nail polish remover and then some toothpaste.
72 Tammy // Jan 12, 2011 at 10:08 pm
my mother gets them allot from all the cancer treatments.nothing helped so we experimented with a few idead and came up with one that takes the cold sore away in 3 to 4 days it really works. baking soda and LIME juice . not LEMON juice.mix it so it is the consistancy of thick yogurt.
73 Ali // Jan 13, 2011 at 5:16 am
I got my first cold sore when I was two weeks old and have gotten about 6-8 coldsores a year ever since (I’m in my 20s now). I usually am able to feel the tingle but haven’t recently. I respond to the zovirax/acyclovir stuff pretty well but they are still there for about 7-9 days… which was especially problematic when one popped up three days ago when I was visiting my boyfriend and only had two days left until I had to fly home. Abreva doesn’t do anything for them, and I pass out from the smell of nail polish or acetones (I’m very smell sensitive haha). The ice doesn’t seem to help at all either, it almost seems to encourage the cold sore. I’m going to try these other things, but does any one else get these so often? Is anyone else’s so resistant?
74 Dan // Jan 19, 2011 at 4:23 pm
I also suffer from chronic cold sores 3 times per year. I have tried many home remedies and nothing has work for me so far. I use valtrex, lysine and whatever topical ointment is on hand. Usually Abreva. If I’m lucky enough to catch it right away, it will usually not get huge. That’s not to say I still don’t have a pimple size cold sore on my lip but its better than a super sore. Well this time I didn’t catch it right away and it appeared on the worst spot. Big cold sore in the corner of my mouth…my question to all is has anyone tried this “cold sore free forever in three days” book? I’m thinking its likely just an internet scam? And what about Intercept cs? One person on here gave a good testimonial but I can find no other feed back from real people…I hope I’m not 80 before humans figure out a solution to this horrible curse.
All the best,
Dan
75 Charnelle // Jan 22, 2011 at 7:42 pm
My boyfriend gave me the romantic of a cold sore after the first month of being together. I’ve consistantly been getting them once every month for the past six months. My dentist uses a laser that is anti-viral and really is amazing at stopping the blister in it’s tracks. Not all dentists use the laser so I’ve searched hi and low for one that does. Usually about thirty dollars a visit. I’m taking tons of lysine, drinking water and am trying the nailpolish remover. Is it really safe to pop it?
This site has been really helpful. Thank you all for your contributions
76 Alison // Jan 23, 2011 at 8:15 am
Hello all,
So I read through all the comments yesterday and am here to report back today.
I usually catch cold sores as soon as I feel the tingle and before they grow by taking tons of odorless garlic pills and spot treating with teatree oil and occasionally rubbing alcohol to dry it out (haven’t had one in 5 years) but this time I woke up with 5 little bumps on my lower lip so wasn’t able to stop it before it started.
I started right away by icing it which seemed to really bring it down and stop it from growing. Then I rotated through many of the ideas above – I thoroughly washed it with soap and warm water, drained the fluid with a sterilized needle, dabbed with rubbing alcohol and nail polish remover to dry and clean out the bumps, topped with teatree oil so the whole area wouldn’t dry out too much and scab, then topped with Abreva.
The top 3 bumps went away almost immediately! Shrinking down to what now look like freckles on my lip. The last two have been a little more stubborn but aren’t getting any bigger and seem to be healing too. Will keep treating them with all the steps above and hope to be cold sore free after 36 hours.
Good luck everyone!
77 Jason // Jan 27, 2011 at 1:52 am
GOOD responses…I’ll try the nail polish and the tea tree oil!
EVERYONE here are the FACTS about cold sores…at least these will apply 98% of us:
1.- COLD SORES WILL NOT DISAPPEAR IN 1 – 3 DAYS!
2.- IF NOT CAUGHT AT THE BEGINNING, YOU ARE DONE! GO TO PLAN B (everything from above and see below for my recommendation)
3.- THEY LOOK BAD AND THERES NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO COVER THEM UP!
4.- COLD SORES DO NOT HAVE A CURE! MORE LIKE CANCER OR AIDS….but doesn’t kill you!
5.- TOO MANY FACTS!!! LOL..here is my recommendation (my life story!!)>>>>>>
I get them at least 1-3 times a year for the past 15 years, 1 out 3 times i was able to caught them in time and use some of the remedies from above….and YES they really work. BUT when is too is TOO LATE, so her it is: I wash my mouth, brush my teeth, dry my mouth, use a needle pop them up even when they are small an juice! Sometimes if you only pop 2 out of 3 the third one disappears without the need of using the needle…continue, use toilet paper, kleenex or towel paper to dry the nasty water/liquid, let it dry for a few minutes, DO NO TALK, keep your lips dry until you see your lips breaking (2-4 hours), KEEP YOUR MOUTH clean, after you eat wash your mouth with HOT WATER and let it dry (DO NOT TALK OR WET YOUR LIPS WITH SALIVA). Having dry lips doesn’t look as bad as having bloody, red, yellow, green, scary looking cold sores!!!…after two days you will see them dry and looking black! NOTHING that you can do about it! it will take 2-4 days for it to come out only if you keep it DRY AND YOU DO NOT TALK. I find it helpful you wash your mouth with dental paste at least 3 times a day and let IT DRY! last but not least CHANGE YOUR BED COVERS AND USE CLEAN TOWELS, for some reason it helps my lips feel clean and less worry that it will spread.
P.S. if you get the below your lips, follow the same instructions, but be aware that will look A LITTLE MORE DISGUSTING THAN in you lip area.
bottom line>> my recommendation will take 4-6 DAYS TO HEAL YOUR COLD SORE!…4 days is not too bad!
Good luck and remember DO NOT TALK AND KEEP YOUR LIPS DRY!!
jason
78 TAG576 // Jan 28, 2011 at 9:17 am
I have suufered from these embarassing, evil monsters since I was very young. I historically got one once a year (usually winter). Since having my daughter tho..every month this winter – definitely hormonal, with the cold weather & a sprinkle of stress on top. I always used Denavir & large amounts of Lyseine at the 1st tingle & worked like a charm. No longer. The Denavir has no effect whatsoever & I might as well be eating tic tacs with the lysiene. I seem to have very limited tingle time now tho. I have yet another one now & will try the nail polish remover – sitting down with an ice cube is tough with a 2 & 5 yr old.
But Steve & Christine..I couldn’t agree more. I promise if I figure out a quick effective remedy – I will share it with you all – FOR FREE!!!
79 Jack // Jan 28, 2011 at 9:55 am
Nail Polish Remover will burn your skin! Becarefull if not done correctly it will make it worst! Didn’t work for me, it left a ugly scar on my lip after two weeks! Abreva, Ice, Lysine, clean with hot water mix with antibacterial soap ! 2 days max if caught on time
80 Sandra D // Jan 29, 2011 at 1:21 am
Hello! I too am a cold sore sufferer. Yet, unlike a lot of you that have posted I have always been told to keep the area moist. I have always applied Zovirax, 5 x a day for the 4 days. I am usually clear within 4 days. Recently I have been using pure Vitamin E oil (Life Brand from Shoppers Drug Mart, Jamesons has the same product, but it is much more expensive) after I have washed and applied some alcohol/tea tree oil/nail-polish remover or peroxide to dry it a little bit. My last one showed up yesterday morning, and it is already just a red area, no bumps or lesions. Considering I had a colony, I am quite happy with the results.
81 Eren // Feb 10, 2011 at 1:14 pm
just in the process of discovering at age 36, that these aren’t in fact lip zits… it’s the 3rd time I’ve had this, and I can’t say I like it!! Thanks for the website though… I’m currently at work with an alcohol pad on my lip. Wish me luck
82 melanie // Feb 12, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Hi! I get them on my chin and discoverd that apple cider vinegar works wonders! I get them in my nose and I use wich hazel pads to ease pain and swelling.
83 Natural Remedies for Cold Sores // Feb 14, 2011 at 11:30 pm
As per my experience, the best natural home remedies for cold sores are Lysine,Lemon Balm and Witch Hazel. Priobiotic yogurt also helps to some extent.
The best preventive measure to stop cold sores is to always keep your skin dust free and wash it regularly whenever you come at your home.
84 james // Feb 16, 2011 at 7:03 pm
earwax has been one of the only things that has ever worked for me.it may be gross but no less than a cold sore.I also put milk on them and salt which seems to help dry them up.
85 Kristina // Feb 23, 2011 at 4:24 pm
LYSINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 pills, every 4 hours when you feel one coming up! I have tried everything and this is the only product that will actually keep them from even coming up!!
86 Devika // Feb 26, 2011 at 9:00 am
OMG!!! This is the most annoying and embarrassing thing ever. The tingling neverr ends! I will definitely try some of these for at least once a year I get this thing on my lips and I hate taking meds.
87 Bryanne // Mar 24, 2011 at 9:26 am
Hi my names bryanne, im 13 years old and i felt tingling on my upper lip, my mom told me to apply some abreva. I applied it every 20 minutes. I put some on before i went to sleep that night. It doesnt seem to be tingling anymore, but it looks like i have a small coldsore. Im going to continue applying abreva, any tips that could help? Thanks!
88 Genevieve // Mar 27, 2011 at 12:27 pm
No tips on Abreva, but where do you buy Campho-phenique in British Columbia, Canada? London Drugs said they had never heard of it. One mail order site wanted $32 for shipping from US for a $4 tube of gel. Thanks!
89 Lee // May 3, 2011 at 8:58 am
So far I haven’t found anything that takes cold sores away in 1-2 days. For me when the tingle or itch is there…it’s coming like it or not. It is in my opinion that the only thing you can do, are things to shorten the time in which the cold sores last. Everyone is different with their reactions. Remember that diet and other health related issues can be a root cause so if you have far too many break outs consult your doctor.
People…be careful of the remedies you chose! You don’t want to have scarring or hyperpigmentations from toying with your cold sores.
I really don’t see how icing your sore is suppose to help prevent anything. It doesn’t make sense to me but I have yet to actually try it. My concern for things like toothpaste, nail polish remover, and anything like that is it’s corrosiveness to open flesh. It also contains a lot of things within the product to help do it’s indented job. Ie. kill gingivitis, whitening and so forth or stripping paint off of your nails! Just doesn’t sound smart. It’s not made for open sores.
Popping and sticking yourself with needles…also doesn’t sound too smart of an idea either. They key is to dry it out PROPERLY and safely. The best way to attack it is when it’s leaking, ruptured ect because it’s exposed. Best way to treat a cold sore before it gets to the blistery open stage is through oils because they penetrate into the skin (& most people would rather not wait for the ugly stage lol).
Straight up salt or lemon juice are good ways of drying and cleaning the sore that might produce some stinging though. Lemon juice is an astringent, anti-inflammatory properties, vitamin C and Citric Acid. Salt is a better replacement for toothpaste.
If your going to use tea bags use Rooibos tea. It has a flavonoid that is known for being antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antitumor, antimicrobial, and has antiviral properties. Look up the properties of Rooibos tea guys it is seriously amazing stuff.
TEA TREE OIL is my personal ticket! an expectorant, antifungal, bactericidal and has sudorific properties, which stimulates the immune system!
( http://www.ageless.co.za/herb-tea-tree.htm )
It should have things dried up to a crust in 1-2 days. DON’T PICK THE SCAB! Let it fall off!
Combo it with witch hazel because witch hazel lessens the discharge ( puss ) in the sore it’s self.
Lavender oil also contains tannis guys and is more used for cold sores that even tea tree oil.
( http://www.ageless.co.za/herb-lavender.htm )
For those of you who also don’t know Aloe Vera might also be your best bet because it’s been studied so much to have proven to show faster healing times. Soothes the skin, nourishes and prevents marks and scars , and will kill the itch!
( http://www.ageless.co.za/herb-aloe.htm )
That reminds me. Look into oatmeal too for the itch and soothing properties because it is used for chicken pox for that very reason (drying the spots out while killing the itch and yet nourishing the skin ).
Lot’s of more natural and beneficial ways for you guys to be trying to fight the cold sore combat war! So far tea tree and lavender have worked for me though I most definitely agree with the preventative steps listed!
Don’t scratch!, wash your hands!, don’t use any lipsticks or tubed anything! You will infect it and it’s garbage after that. Apply all things with a Q-tip or the tip of your CLEAN finger and then wash it again when your done. Be courteous! Don’t share cups or kiss others while infected. That’s just mean lol.
Ps. Please do not use petroleum jelly on your face. Period! Yes it does form a barrier on your skin but it keeps everything IN. Nothing penetrates it. In order to penetrate again you will have to scrub it off. Good luck scrubbing at your cold sores, ripping them, hurting and making things far worse than you need to! A scab is the only “seal” you need. Dry that sucker right out!
I’ve given you all my knowledge! I hope this helps you guys!
90 Lee // May 3, 2011 at 9:19 am
Oh and I forgot to mention, someone else had mentioned salicylic acid in one of their responses. That’s also a good drying agent. ( Amazing for people with oily skin and acne. There are a lot of good products out there with this ingredient in it for you guys. Prevents black heads too ) -Is an Esthetician-
91 Home Remedies for Pimples // May 11, 2011 at 2:49 am
LYSINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 pills, every 4 hours when you feel one coming up! I have tried everything and this is the only product that will actually keep them from even coming up!!
92 Home Remedies for Pimples // May 11, 2011 at 2:49 am
Oh and I forgot to mention, someone else had mentioned salicylic acid in one of their responses. That’s also a good drying agent. ( Amazing for people with oily skin and acne. There are a lot of good products out there with this ingredient in it for you guys. Prevents black heads too ) -Is an Esthetician-
93 Amy // May 11, 2011 at 10:40 am
I’ve been searching for the past 2 hours and this is the first source I’ve seen that’s actually helpful! I just started getting one on Monday and need it to be GONE by Friday! I’ve been getting severe (sometimes more than 1 at a time) cold sores for as long as I can remember. I usually try to be patient and nurse it until it gradually goes away. I’ve tried expensive precsriptions and things like Abreva, ice, homemade l-lysine paste, bleach, Carmex, everything! As far as the first stages, I have found that Campho-Phenique really helps to relieve the pain and discomfort and does a good job of drying it out. Once it becomes a scab I try to dry it out as much as possible with 97% isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Then, at night, I put maximum strength Neosporin and a Band Aid on it while I sleep. This keeps me from bumping or scratching it. It also helps it to heal a little faster each day and reduces scarring from the scab (my bottom lip is splotchy and discolored from scars of past cold sores.) I have yet to find anything for the severe swelling of my entire lip the first couple of days that works. Ice didn’t do anything. I am excited to try the nail polish remover, especially since the kind I have is 100% acetone! This WILL be gone by Friday!
94 Mally // May 15, 2011 at 3:40 pm
Im a hair dresser and i use the peroxide i use to color hair, its most effecive if u use 40% peroxide. Lysine does work well but you have to take a lot, and if u can get a perscription for Zovirax it works amazing.
95 Sandra // May 17, 2011 at 9:02 pm
I used to get cold sores every few months or so. I started watching my diet and stopped eating peanuts – and guess what, I hardly ever get cold sores anymore! On the rare occasion that I get them now, I use Listerine as soon as they start. Listerine seems to dry them out and stop them from getting huge.
96 JJ // May 19, 2011 at 7:42 am
When I get cold sores is when I stress out which is brought upon myself when ya stress.
Lysine helps a lot for me and is most effective, ever since I’ve been taking it I haven’t had any break outs. I work as a chef and when stress hits your most at risk of getting a cold sore.
Best thing is to prevent them is fitness, eat healthy, get a good amount of sleep.
97 Rob // May 29, 2011 at 11:58 pm
Hey this looks like something my wife could use. She gets cold sores all the time. I will tell her about this site.
98 Rob // May 30, 2011 at 12:00 am
Oh yeah by the way can you get rid of cold sores for good? I had somebody ask before.
99 beeb // Jun 11, 2011 at 7:11 pm
just getting over a cold sore now had to call work and pretend i was sick which sucks!!!!!!! next time im trying nail polish remover hopefully that works and i’ve been trying lysine that actually doesn’t work for me either does abreva but as soon as it completely goes away im going to the store to get YOGURT!!!!!!!!!!
100 Vee // Jun 13, 2011 at 1:32 pm
Thanks for the advice, I’ve had these suckers for years now and I’ve tried so many things and I have found that using a sterilized needle and hand sanitizer like “one step” works the best, yes it burns but for me it’s worth it because what used to take two weeks to heel now takes 3 days, it also minimizes the redness and swelling and doesn’t spread.
101 melll Nisty // Jun 28, 2011 at 4:07 am
I knoe ths may sound absurd but hey it works..try peeing in a bottle, keep the pee for 15hrs (not much not less) then pour it ova ur coldsore, works better if its someone else’s pee ..my sis tried it las week her coldsore just vanished!amazing hey
102 Eve // Jun 29, 2011 at 9:32 pm
Through many trials and errors, this is what I learned is best about cold sores: leave them alone.
By putting anything on them, you don’t leave them alone. Even by cleaning your mouth with soap and a washcloth, you don’t leave them alone. Touching them is like stimulating them to burgeon.
I’ve tried emu oil, tea-three oil, toothpaste, Lypsil, pinching to force them out, all of which resulted in a very obvious and disgusting mess.
By leaving them alone, two things have happened: either resorption back into the system, or mild sprouting with a small scab.
I do think, however, that since this affliction is immune system related and that all immune systems react differently, it would explain why no trick will work on everybody. This one does work for me since I naturally have strong immune system except for that little bugger, so I go to great lengths to keep it undisturbed, untouched, even un-thought of, and that restraint pays off.
103 valisha // Jun 30, 2011 at 2:53 pm
ugh i hate cold sores three days ago one popped up on my upper lip i immediately dabbed onthe abreva an hour later i drenched it in nail polish remover then abreva again . the second day i put ice then some a and d ointment i followed up with a mixture of toothpaste and salt to dry it up faster i kept applying the mixture every hour now this thing is all scars
thank gosh my boyfriend has off work today but im avoiding him because of this atrocity.
104 A cure now // Jul 3, 2011 at 11:39 pm
Why is it that we have so many medications to treat the outbreak, not to mention the doctors know exactly where the virus actually hides but they cannot kill it from the body completely?? That just doesn’t seem right, does anyone know if a cure is in the works? If so are the doctors & or scientist close to curing this nasty virus anytime soon ( at least within 5 to 10 years from now ) ??
105 So excited // Jul 21, 2011 at 1:36 pm
After feeling that all-too-familiar tingling on my right upper lip coming on, I decided to try the nail polish remover tip. I dabbed it on the tingling area with a q-tip, and then finished it off with a dab of toothpaste, and voila! Tingling stopped the next morning, crisis and coldsore averted!! This method works, at least for me! Good luck!!!
106 Carol // Jul 24, 2011 at 12:15 pm
FYI cold sores are not limited to the mouth & nose areas. First time I ever got one it was in the middle of my cheek when I was in my 30′s or 40′s. It was as big as a quarter & I had never had anything like that before & didn’t know what it was. Called my dermatologist & he was able to see me same day. He told me right away it was a cold sore & said you can get cold sores any place on your body even on one’s backside. And to this day the middle of my face, always the same side & usually in the same area is where I get them. Currently have a beauty & have been using Zovirax since the onset. It’s day 6 now & area is starting to crust over but itch is still there. Interesting to hear of other possible remedies. Zovirax @ $84/tube is not cheap & the expiry date of my still half-filled tube had gone by so had to get new tube. So it must have been over 2 yrs. since my last outbreak. Would be afraid to use some of the home remedies in the middle of my face in case they might cause scarring.
107 Jennifer // Jul 27, 2011 at 1:32 pm
I’m on my 2nd cold sore in 2 weeks, and this new one is huge, half of my upper lip is covered in it. Obviously my immune system is down. I have been using Lipactin and am wondering if I can still try the nai polish remover even thought I have been using an OTC remedy. Any thoughs. Thanks
108 Lee-Anne // Aug 2, 2011 at 10:09 pm
Well Ive gotten the cold sore virus this year by sharing a drink with a friend that’s been affected by it. Im on my third cold sore, and they are really annoying and just plain out unappealing. Alot of people say Toothpaste really helps But It’s never worked for me, ice helped a bit, but not by much. I was really hesitant at first but Im desperate so I tried the sterilised needle to pop it. You dont feel anything (unless you poke your lip, that can hurt). But only try popping your cold sore when its all pussie and weird. After that I applied nail polish remover, Although its STINGS LIKE CRAZY, It does dry it up and reduced the cold sore by half. Do not buy abreva, I got it, the pharmacist told me that abreva will only speed up your cold sore by about one day which isnt much considering its hefty price for a very small bottle. Good luck!
109 mitchell z // Aug 3, 2011 at 12:13 am
I used to get a huge cold sore every year that would last 10-14 days.
Four or five years ago I started taking a single odourless galric pill every night before bed since I heard it was healthy.
I haven’t had a cold sore since. This is after years of having at least one a year every year. Might be a coincidence but I’m gonna keep taking the garlic.
110 Chris // Aug 5, 2011 at 12:52 pm
I have heard and read that lysine is very helpfull in preventing cold sores, so I started taking 1gm every morning. I went 8 months with nothing and was sure I found the cure, however after a day on a boat with no sunscreen, a lot of beer and no sleep that night, I felt a tingle a few mornings later. I told myself I was going to fight this thing before it got bad. I took about 3gms of lysine 3 times that day and covered the tingly spots with toothpaste for the night. I now have a monster like I haven’t had in years. My whole lower lip has swelled to the size of my thumb and the sores are running down the side of my face. The tissue inside my lip has swelled so much a shelf has grown over my teeth. I can’t talk, can barely eat and the pain is intense! I have continued taking the lysine, I’ve continued with the toothpaste, I’ve used the ice and nail polish remover in pure desperation to rid myself of this beast, but I’m running out of hope. I’m now on day three scanning the internet for something. I’ve missed 2 days of work, and now expected to show up tomorrow like a toxic avenger. I think now I’ll add Cat’s Paw and garlic to my morning supplement cocktail. This sucks! Lets keep praying for a cure!
111 Diana // Aug 8, 2011 at 3:09 pm
This site has been extreme helpful. I’ve also tried using hydrogen peroxide to kill the little terror; it’s like nail polish remover with more kick! Try that, it may help! And the vaseline suggestion was a great idea! I felt the cursed tingling sensation early yesterday morning, ran to the store to get Abreva… and it hasn’t helped at all so resulted to searching online for home remedies. My plans for the week are effectively cancelled because there’s nothing to do to hide these buggers. I will definitely try the lemon as well! Let’s hope with all this advice the cold sore won’t last more than a week!
112 Daniel // Aug 8, 2011 at 9:12 pm
This is my 3rd break out ever. My first was early this year. My doctor gave me Zovirax. I need some advice from someone with more experience. How is Zovirax? Does it work? i started putting it on in the early stages, vasoline, alcohol, (ouch) and thats about it. Hopefully, it goes away soon.
113 Jennifer // Aug 9, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Cold sores are the most annoying this ever, I’ve noticed that when I start feeling a tingling sensation it’s usually a sign of an outbreak. I ice it right away and it minimizes my outbreaks quite well
114 Tammy // Aug 10, 2011 at 9:57 am
Hey just to let u know the nail polish remover works very well, and also tooth paste. u should try it out…
And the ear wax thats just gross…
Anyways try those 2 it really works…
115 Kate // Aug 19, 2011 at 2:15 pm
I seem to get cold sores on my upper lip and they are terrible!! It’s like a huge cold sore mustache, it goes all the way from the left to the right side. How why are they so bad? I do everything I’m suppose to do! They aren’t on my actual lip at all, just the skin above my lip. Please help!
116 Mia // Aug 20, 2011 at 7:43 am
I woke up early today to try and get some work in and I absently itched my lip, realizing too late that it was a cold sore in the making! So I tried vicks and Vaseline , which seemed to work before finding this site , so i tried ice, which also helped and then a battery of some of the tips here: nail polish remover (which didn’t seem to do anything, but maybe I’m impatient) , and toothpaste which I’m not sure was the right kind, i only had sensodyne available,
I wad getting sleepy so i ended up just putting on some vicks and aloe Vera, which I heard on another site…. Wish me luck because I have a photo on Monday !
117 Jessica // Aug 21, 2011 at 10:38 pm
i went clubbing friday night then slept over at a friends house. i didnt get enough sleep and in the morning i felt that my immune system was low. i felt a cold sore coming sunday night. i know its caused by not enough sleep !!
im starting college on wednesday and i cant believe this is happening.
im gonna try this stuff now
THANK YOU SO MUCH !!
118 Dr David Miller ND // Aug 23, 2011 at 4:21 pm
I suffered from Cold Sores as a teenager. I know how hideous they can be.
As a practicing Naturopathic physician I have developed a combination homeopathic product with excellent results to date.
http://www.coldsorestop.ca
I urge you to try it out. You will not be disappointed and you will not have to smear ghastly creams and ointments all over your face.
Take it at the tingle!
Dave
119 Cassie // Aug 24, 2011 at 11:26 pm
so i just got my first cold sore ever, boyfriend shared a smoke with a friend with one…repeatedly, then kissed me, so i am a little upset, this thing is sooooo big and painful and ive had it for a week w/out any recovery so im going to try everything on this list one breakout at a time i guess. Wish me luck, thank god for websites like this.
120 Winning Combination // Aug 26, 2011 at 12:13 pm
Hey everyone! so until now I’ve only been using Abreva (which honestly has never really worked and I just end up popping the thing and cleaning it of all the puss) but my last cold sore I tried:
squeezing all the puss you can get out
drying the sore
apply some nail polish remover on a Q-tip
(bear the sting; it only means it’s killing it!)
apply vaseline to the sore on a Q-tip
and I kid you not, the sore was gone in 3 days!
the scab was gone in another 2-3 days!
this experience was magical for me; I hope it works for you as well!
Cheers!
121 Nate // Aug 28, 2011 at 4:58 pm
I think I have them in my mouth, I think they are canker sores but I’ve just been healing 3 coldsores on my lips, the sore is on my tounge and now it’s spreading more of those sores in my mouth I probably have like 3 on my tounge and over 5 on my inside of my mouth, painful when I eat and i didn’t kiss my girlfriend for over a week and half..
122 Melly mell // Aug 31, 2011 at 8:41 pm
white mint tooth paste works WONDERS!!!!
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124 ccf // Sep 5, 2011 at 5:11 pm
Not one of those remedies work. I take Vitamin c calcium ascorbate and lysine everyday, and stay away from foods rich in Larginine and I still get them. I do liver flushes and eat all organic, very cautious on what I put in my body. Still hoping still searching.
125 Tia // Sep 6, 2011 at 9:11 am
Black seed – Latin name Nigella Sativa
I place the oil on the sore directly with a cotton ear bud – q-tip and gently, the earlier you start the better. And apply it as often as I can/remember.
I also use black seed in its natural form crushed in a pestle and mortar and taken orally with honey morning and evening, two tea spoons of each.
Black seed is an antiviral and antibiotic, and strengthens the immune system, among other things. It is also cheap, you can order it online from a number of places including Amazon. This is a diuretic, so please do drink plenty of water.
I also keep a box of acyclovir antiviral TABLETS not cream, on standby, so I can take those at the first sign of a cold sore. It works very well, stops spreading, multiple outbreaks, and eases the pain and discomfort. You will need plenty of water with this to help your kidneys!
Applied topically, I have tried: nail polish, garlic, tiger balm, aloe vera, toothpaste, salt, and many others I can’t remember right now. At best, they made no difference at all to the healing time, at worst, they made matters much much worse!
Good luck to everybody – keep hoping, stay positive, and I am sure you will each of you find your own personal solution.
Love and peace. And really, there are so many bigger problems in life! You could be injured or disabled, at least you can carry on with this.
And this coming from a person who has had it spread to her face cheek… not pleasant! Keep it in perspective and lower that stress/tiredness, and eat fresh fruit, veg, and lean meats. Start your day with a boiled egg – so many nutrients. Drink plenty of water. And get those 8 hours a night.
MOST IMPORTANT – cut down on refined sugars and grains like white sugar, white bread, pizza, biscuits, cakes, chocolates, etc, etc. Refined sugar SUPPRESSES THE IMMUNE SYSTEM and is basically poison to the human body, eventually, in large regular doses. Read those ingredients labels! And if you cook everything yourself at home from scratch, you won’t have to!
Ladies, pay particular attention to the above tips the week before your period and those first days when you are especially susceptible.
Stay strong and disciplined, it’s the only way. It’s tough to make a change at the beginning, but once you do, and you have set up a routine, you’ll be doing it without thinking about it, I promise!
126 Tasha // Sep 12, 2011 at 5:25 am
Ice really works if you can feel it coming on. I usually ice it the pop it and put rubbing alcohol to dry it out. Of course the prescrption valtrax works better but is so expensive.. Wish I had a free lifetime supply lol
127 Venise // Sep 14, 2011 at 8:32 am
I recently just had a majer feverI woke up in the middle of the night whit that tingeling all over my mouth, and went cheqing in the mirror ant there it was, the begining of cold sores. Not one, not 2 but 8 colds sore all over my mouth 5 on the upper lip and 3 on the lower lip. I dryed it with alchool and put ome abreva but when I woke up thes morning, they were all so huge. I’m kinda freaking out, it has to go. I just don’t whant to go out of the door looking like that. And since I have a home day care, what are the parents gonna think??? HELP I REALLY NEED THE BEST TIP TO GET RID OF IT FASTER.
128 kaly // Sep 16, 2011 at 5:54 pm
i’ve had coldsores since mabey grade 3 (when i was about 8 years old). when i was younger i was cunfused about it. i would always get like 5 coldsores at a time, now i get like 1 or 2 but today i got 3! i’ve tried abreva, its worked a few times but it has stopped working now, so i’m trying these remedies.
129 jenny // Sep 26, 2011 at 5:21 am
try campho-phenique and secret (gel), I do the ice at the first sign too!
130 Heather // Sep 29, 2011 at 11:20 am
Here’s my cold sore story. My husband has begged me for years to have a threesome with him. He wanted me, my girlfriend and him to get it on. I didn’t want to share him. What we finally settled on was that I would 69 with her while he watched. So she laughed at first but then agreed. So we 69ed while my husband watched in fascination. That’s right, I performed oral sex on another woman. Though I’m straight I must admit I enjoyed it. She was cleanly shaven and beautiful so I didn’t think there was anything to worry about. But a couple of days later I had a cold sore (herpes) pop up on my face.
131 johanna // Oct 2, 2011 at 9:25 pm
so im 15 and i get cold sores.. i have been getting them since i was just little.. i usually use vaseline and blistex cold sore treatment and it works great and your cold sore will be gone in 3 to 4 days
i tried nail polish remover today and it just made my cold sore bigger so ill never do that again.. good luck everyone.. just remember none of you are alone..
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I discovered this herpes herbal formula over 16 years ago and I have not had an outbreak since.
It is called Herpesgone, and you can find out all about it on the link below. The website is confidential for sure.
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134 Dan // Oct 17, 2011 at 11:20 pm
I woke up with a coldsore last weekend, it was large red bump…no blistering or pusz at that point. I IMMEDIATELY applied ice and kept it on as much as possible for 3 days. I put the ice in a ziploc bag and didn’t take it off. The coldsore never developed a blisters or puss…the red bump stayed for 3 days and slowly went down. I also applied alcohol on it every few hours. I normally get a huge crusty coldsore that lasts 10-11 days…but since discovering applying ice the breakout is waaaay less gross and barely noticable!
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136 Qzar // Oct 25, 2011 at 10:19 am
I recently assessed my diet and my coldsore culprit is sadly, chocolate. Within 48 hours of eating chocolate I break out. My body seems to be more sensitive since I started experimenting with my diet, it used to take a chocolate bar, this time only took half a cookie.
3 months no chocolate = 3 months no coldsores until I cheated a few days ago and now my top lip looks like a duck bill. The sore is small but the swelling is massive.
I also started sublingual b12 supplements as I am low on B12, hopingthat’s all I need. And of course no more chocolate
I think various remedies work because each person not only has their own trigger but also has a personalized remedy that you have to search for. I’ve had sores since I was 3, never thought to blame chocolate! Good luck finding your ow remedies, I’ll update in a couple months about the b12
137 nikki // Oct 28, 2011 at 12:50 pm
This didn’t make it go away in a day or anything like that but I noticed a difference in the swelling and the blistering in one day and it made me feel a lot better the next morning because it was scabbing over already. I used lipactin and tea tree oil, don’t know if one was helping and the other not but I basically would put lipactin on and then some tea tree oil every 30mins-1hr for the whole day and by the end of the day I could tell the swelling had gone down considerably and it was less red. I thought it was best to dry out the cold sore to get to the scabbing stage but for some reason keeping it moist with this stuff seemed to do more faster.
138 majestixerss // Nov 2, 2011 at 9:54 pm
139 Krystal // Nov 7, 2011 at 1:09 pm
I like the blog post, good reading. I personally have had violent outbreaks ever since I was born, and have spent every year since I was about 14 trying to find a solution.
For me personally, the prescription Valacyclovir, taking 2,000 mg per day (1,000 morning, 1,000 night) for 3 days starting as soon as I feel the tingle, plus Abreva OTC topical cream, plus an Advil if I get swelling, means I only deal with the visual symptoms for one day amx, if at all. If I catch it super early, it will never surface.
However, I live in Canada, and have a great GP, who knows how long I have been battling this, so he writes me prescriptions for OTC meds as well, so I actually don’t pay for this stuff. I don’t recommend taking the prescription meds daily, as people often do for HSV-2 (typically causes genital herpes, and so there is a much greater emphasis on preventing outbreaks). They are hard on your body’s natural filtration system (liver, kidneys), so i fyou know what the symptomatic “tingle” is, it’s much better to take the 3-day route when you are about to get an outbreak.
I have tried several of these home remedies in the past, and if you are not comfortable with the prescriptions, prefer a natural lifestyle, or just can’t afford them, these remedies WILL WORK to reduce your total symptomatic phase. A lot of these are designed to reduce your discomfort, which is the biggest thing! The more you feel it, the more you feel self-conscious about it.
The people using ice and willow bark are going to feel the biggest difference, because of the anti-inflammitory effects. The buildup of pressure in the sore is what makes it large and red. I personally use NSAIDs (Advil(r), ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen) because they are fast, effective, and easy to buy and use. However, long term use can be dangerous, possibly addictive, and harmful to your stomach, so I only use these medications when it is necessary.
Good luck all!
Krystal
140 tiffr // Nov 17, 2011 at 11:28 pm
i am 22 and i have a cold sore i have had them before but never knew what it was till now. im going to try popping it with a needle and putting on the nail police remover, one questions when i try to pop it should i squeeze it to try and get more out?
141 Tara // Nov 25, 2011 at 2:21 am
Hello everyone…
first tingle I had no idea what was happening…did nothing…woke up with an ugly, pulsing, tingling blister…used Abreva throughout the day…didn’t help. Came home, and found this site…I decided on the toothpaste…made sure it was a paste and not a gel…slept with it over night and the tingling and pulsing stopped. Called around this morning to see who had the Polysporin Healing Patches and found them at our local Save On Foods, $19.99 for 15….not alot of information about them, all I could gather is the fact it covers your cold sore to contain it and it promotes healing while keeping it covered. They last 8 hours, more or less…mine has stayed on 9 so far, as soon as it loosens I can replace it. The great thing about these, I can use a lip liner and a lil foundation to cover the outline…I didn’t have any but it was ok because it seals almost like 3m’s invisible tape 
Anyway, I know this is a home remedy site, and I relied on that at first, but to cover up and help me feel not so self conscious I sought out the Healing Patches.
I’m 39 and I got my first cold sore…not sure if it was stress related or cold snap related….but there it is in all it’s hideousness
Good luck everyone, hope my little bit of info helps
142 Dani // Nov 26, 2011 at 10:38 pm
Hey guys! So, I’ve been getting cold sores for just over a year now (in 17 so my peers are still in the “Haha! You’ve got herpes!” stage) even tho I didn’t pick it up from a partner or anything, I don’t have one haha!
But, I randomly found this “cure” if you will, and it has helped wonders!!!
Whenever I feel the “tingle” or that little “bump” on my lip, I whip out the nail polish! If I’m going outside, I put on a clear coat but if I’m just at home, any colour will do! I put on a coat on the area, and if it is a blooming cold sore, the area becomes warm and tingly. How warm it becomes depends on how far along it is: the warmer it is, the bigger it is. Now, give it some time, and that nail polish coat will flake off. Then, do it again! And again! The more coats you do, the more that little “bump” will shrink, and the cooler and less tingly the feelings will be each subsequent coat. After about 5 coats, I notice a HUGE difference in the size of the bump. I have prevented complete breakouts and lessened the severity of others this way. The earlier you catch it, the better!
Now, for when I do have a cold sore, when go to bed, I try this: (It works wonders for me!)
1) First, clean up the cold sore and dry it.
2) As you brush your teeth before bed, make sure to dab some toothpaste (just a little!You don’t need much!) on the sore with your Q-tip. Rub it in nice and good.
3) When that’s dried, whip out the Abreva! Same rules apply.
4) Now, put on a coat of polish. Let dry.
5) It’s now time for another coat of Abreva OVER the nail polish, and let dry.
6) Finish with your last coat of polish.
How it works?
1) Toothpaste dries it out and the menthol in it (the minty flavour) helps sooth it a bit (all of those “cooling gels” we use have menthol in them!)
2) Abreva prevents spreading of the virus to other cells, plus, it shaves off a day or two of healing.
3) Nail polish acts as a barrier to keep the virus from spreading, plus, (I thinks it’s the acetone?) in it helps to stop it dead in its tracks. Besides, you’re going to bed, it doesn’t matter what you look like with polish on your lips, haha.
4) Extra layer of Abreva and polish? Acts as a second, “backup” barrier. Plus, as the first polish layer starts to crack, the second batch of Abreva can get in there, plus the extra polish barrier is there as well!
Hope that works! Also, taking Vitamin C and D helps up the immune system, especially in the winter where these vitamins are hard to get (less fresh fruit and sunlight). Don’t forget: LOTS of sleep! Plus, whatever helps you find your “zen” (yoga? reading? whatever works for you, so long as it works!) Hope this is helpful to someone!
143 jessica // Dec 6, 2011 at 5:09 pm
does the coldsore treatment actually work?? the one that derek is selling?
144 Andie // Dec 29, 2011 at 5:55 pm
I’ve been getting cold sores for the last 20 years, ever since I was 8 years old. I’ve been getting them less frequently as I get older, but on average will still get them about 4 times a year. Pregnancy was hard, I had cold sores for the entire first trimester and then again about a week after my son was born. Crazy hormonal fun!
The absolute best preventitive that I’ve found has been to keep your lips moist! For the last year, I’ve been coating my lips nightly with a layer of Neosporin. Just layer it on and go to bed. Keeps your lips from drying out over night. I got only my 2nd cold sore of the year this morning, and I know it’s because I let my lips get too dry. Combine that with the weather changes and my current stress level and it was bound to happen. :p
So – This is my routine when I do get a sore. Typical duration of the sore from tingle to scab is 48 hs with my routine.
Start at the first sign of the tingle:
1) Wash the area with soap and hot water to keep it clean.
2) Apply Rubbing Alcohol with a Q-tip to start drying it out.
3) Pop any blisters as you can with a safety/straight pin (steralize it every time!) You want to get that liquid out of there. Dab with a Kleenex.
4) Wash again with hot water and soap to get rid of any blister juice (ugh – not sure how to word that, gross) Dry with a Kleenex
5) Use a Q-tip to apply Hydrogen Peroxide. Let it bubble for a minute.
6) Apply a thin layer of Abreva. Thin layers seem to work better then thicker layers. Rub it in, don’t let it sit on your lip and get all cakey.
That’s it. Repeat throughout the day about every 2 hours. Obviously, throw away used Q-tips, no double dipping in bottles and keep your hands washed and drinking glasses to yourself!
One thing that I’d realized… Not every treatment works for every person. My body seems to adapt to medications quickly, some of the remedies mentioned above worked for me in the past and then just stopped working. For right now, this has worked for me. But you may have to adapt things to work for you.
It’s a horrible thing to deal with… I swear, I feel like I’m the only person in the world it happens to when I have one. You’re not alone!!!
145 Liz // Jan 2, 2012 at 6:29 pm
I’ve been getting these nasty things all my life! I recently tried a salt/water paste on mine, and it dried up within days! I sterilize a needle open the cold sore abit then dab the paste on…stings like crazy, but wow heals those ugly things fast!
146 Ella // Jan 12, 2012 at 7:05 pm
EVERYBODY, PLEASE READ! I am 14 years old and have been suffering with cold sores since I was a baby.
So, recently, I felt the tingling feeling and immediately iced it. I used an ice cube put in Ziploc bag. I melted 2 ice cubes on my lip (where I felt the tingling). Then I applied ColdSoreFX , which is like a cream, that REALLY REALLY works! I have tried ABREVA before, but it doesn’t stop the cold sore from ‘blooming’. I also took L-Lysine supplements and multi-vitamins. These, I take everyday. L-Lysine helps prevent cold sores and decreases the severity of them when they occur. OK so THEN, i felt a little bump on my lip, and I thought ‘Oh darn, there it is!’ But I kept on icing it and re-applying the cream (you can buy it at any drugstore, and this one costs around 15$ i think). At the end of the day IT WAS GONE!!!
The COLDSOREFX cream and the ICE stopped the cold sore RIGHT IN ITS TRACKS! This method really KILLS the cold sore before it has time to form in to these ugly blisters.
HOPE THIS HELPS!!! It worked for me! And since I am taking the Lysine, I haven’t had any outbreaks yet! (Knock on wood!
)
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