http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/herpes5.rss http://www.earthclinic.com/template_img/logo.jpg http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/herpes5.rss Cold Sore Remedies (herpes cures) from the Earth Clinic Community. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 03:59:57 EDT en-us http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=OOO_39666 /CURES/herpes5.rss1 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:57:44 EST [YEA] J. from Minneapolis, Mn writes: "I have been a cold sore sufferer for about 20 years and I usually get between 10-35 or so a year and they range from the size of a pea to a quarter. They are usually in my nose or on the skin between my nose and lip...so it is safe to say I'm a chronic cold sore sufferer, especially during cold weather and I live up north. I honestly don't know what is worse, the pain or the humiliation as both are almost unbearable. I have tried every single prescription on the market over the years, every single over the counter treatment, and home remedies like daily lysine, ice, acetone fingernail polish...you name it. For me there is one prescription (blue pill) that always worked best but the sore is still extremely painful for 2-3 days and then I have a scorched area of skin that turns scaly and then stays red for weeks afterword. Anyway, I have been trying to find a natural way to control or eliminate my cold sores and I came across Oil of Oregano so I thought I would give it a shot. (I am also taking 2 billion live cultures of acidopholis per day to strengthen my immune system.) And I am so so thankful that I did. I started taking the OoO twice a day by putting 3-4 drops under my tongue and holding it for about 1-2 minutes and washing it down with 8-10 oz water. Before bed I also rub several drops on the base of my spine (where the virus lives) because OoO is supposed to penetrate the skin to directly combat the virus. (I have read that you might get a bad outbreak as the OoO clears the virus from your system so I was prepared for that.) Anyway, I have taken it for several weeks and I hadn't gotten a cold sore until I forgot to take it two days ago. Yesterday morning I felt the tingle of a cold sore coming on and immediately took a ____ and put Oil of Oregano on it and reapplied it 3-4x throughout the day. I noticed that the sore stayed very small and the Oil of Oregano reduced the usually unbearable burning pain and itching to almost nothing. I did get some blisters, but the sore was about 25% to 35% of the normal size of a cold sore for me with almost zero swelling, burning pain, or itching. It has now been around 36 hours since the first tingle and it is almost completely healed...and it was easily covered with a little powder when I was out shopping yesterday so no one else even knew. This stuff is AMAZING!!!! I also took a couple extra drops orally throughout the day so I was taking it orally and applying it to the sore directly. Usually within 5-10 hours of the first tingle I have MAJOR burning and itching and there is always a lot of swelling the next morning when I wake up even if I take my prescription the second I feel the first tingle and another before bed. The sore usually lasts a couple of days and then I am left with the burned skin from the blisters which turns into a scab and then red skin for a couple of weeks afterward. With the Oil of Oregano I was able to keep the sore very small and nearly painless and it is almost healed within 36 hours. I am thrilled!! Every time I started to feel a bit of burning pain and itching I would gently reapply 1 drop of oil to the sore and it would immediately help a lot. The second day of a cold sore for me has always been full of serious burning pain, lots of swelling, and finally it is very very itchy as the virus starts to retreat. With Oil of Oregano I experienced almost nothing except a bit of redness and a warm sensation over my lip where the sore was. I can't say enough good things about Oil of Oregano and cold sores. I understand that I have only been using this product for about two weeks and this is my first cold sore that I have treated with it, but I can't tell you just how different this cold sore looked and felt from any other in the past 20 years. My husband couldn't believe it either. This is so much better than my prescription alone. Hopefully it will be a long time before I get another one since I'm taking the OoO to prevent them, but if/when I get the next one I will try OoO without my prescription at all. Hopefully I will have the same results as I really think it was the OoO alone that made the amazing difference in the pain and duration of this sore. I am going to check into how long I can take it daily. I don't want to do any damage to my liver or anything else by taking it for too long, but for now I am going to keep taking it for several months to try to eliminate my cold sores completely. If anyone has information on how long you can take it I would love to hear about it. I asked my pharmacist yesterday and he said that there has been no long-term research on daily usage of OoO, but he personally thinks this is much safer than almost anything else people use for cold sores. If you suffer from cold sores, I hope this helps you as much as it has me! In addition to the cold sores, I have used it to stop a sore throat within minutes, relieve my husband's migraine that his medication wouldn't touch, relieve my friend's bronchitis within 24-48 hours after two weeks on antibiotics weren't helping, clear an under the skin acne problem I wasn't even aware I had (experienced a bad breakout for a couple of days) and now my skin looks healthier than it ever has, shrink a cyst that my dermatologist wouldn't remove because it was too deep (within 2 weeks it has shrunk to half the size and is now flat), stop the pain and redness overnight from a hangnail that was really sore...and this is only after using this stuff for only a few weeks. I can't say enough amazing things about Oil of Oregano!! It is like a cure all for everything and that is just crazy!! Had I only know about this 20 years ago I could have saved myself thousands of dollars and years of pain and humiliation!!" http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=TOMATO-JUICE_39519 /CURES/herpes5.rss2 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:56:37 EST [YEA] Puddles from Regina, Canada writes: "Tomato juice is an excellent cure for cold sores. Dab generously directly on the sore and also drink about three glasses a day for at least a week. I have known some people to never get another cold sore with this remedy. I hope it works for you!" http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=HONEY_38891 /CURES/herpes5.rss3 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:30:26 EST American from Virginia Beach, Virginia writes: "Hello, You said on your website that apple cider vinegar works for cold sores. Sorry, it doesn't. At least, not for me. What DOES work is honey, which is known for its ability to promote wound healing. Just keep smearing it on the cold sore - and yes, it is a sticky, gooey mess. But boy, does honey ever work!" http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=ACETONENAILPOLISH_38597 /CURES/herpes5.rss4 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:01:33 EST [WARNING!] Dan from Denver, Colorado writes: "I dabbed acetone on my face before going to bed one night and I woke up with chemical burns on my tongue and it triggered Bell's Palsy. Don't do it!" http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=L-THEANINE_38582 /CURES/herpes5.rss5 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:27:22 EST [BETTER BUT NOT CURED] Found Another Option from Columbus, Ohio writes: "I have had cold sores since I was 6. L-Lysine never worked for me. Once I discovered that this virus is in your nerve endings, I thought of anything that would be a destresser. One day by accident I tried L-Theanine. When the tingling came, I had just taken one. It broke out but only stayed two days and did not have any redness. The tingling and soreness was never felt. Thought I'd put this one out there for anyone who might want to try this." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=HP_38274 /CURES/herpes5.rss6 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:29:41 EST [YEA] Baz2010 from Newburgh, Ny, Usa writes: "Last night a cold sore began to develop on my lip. I read on Earth Clinic to use hydrogen peroxide. I used cotton swabs and applied the peroxide to my lip. I did this using 5 separate swabs over a one hour period. I noticed immediate results within that hour. This morning I did the same and just did it again when I got home from work. The cold sore seems to be in its final stages and should be gone by tomorrow. I have used Abreva and saw the same results over 4-5 days. Peroxide worked for me and did so a lot faster." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=LLNPR_38136 /CURES/herpes5.rss7 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:35:17 EST [YEA] Victoria from Saint Johns, Florida writes: "I get about 2-3 cold sores a year on my lips. After a attempting a few remedies, I have found the cure. Once I feel that tingling sensation I immediately take 2 capsules of L-lysine at 500mg. each. If I see a red spot coming out, I get a q-tip, dip it in nail polish remover & using the tip only, apply it with a slight pressure to that area for a few seconds until I feel a burning sensation deep within. That's how you know it's working. I repeat 2 more times that day and the next along with the L-lysine. The cold sore never even comes out. Sometimes, I've had a cold sore start at night while I'm sleeping & when I wake up, it's already painful & clearly visible. Even then, I take my L-lysine and apply the nail polish remover and it stops it in its track! It kills the virus and stops it from growing. I tell all my friends and family & it has worked on them too!" http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=ACV_38152 /CURES/herpes5.rss8 Sat, 30 Jan 2010 11:29:23 EST [YEA] Pundon2010 from Charlotte, North Carolina writes: "On this past Monday I started to have that "tingling" feeling on my lip meaning the beginning of a cold sore breakout. By mid afternoon I was right, a huge blister in the corner of my mouth ouch!!...after reading the numerous reviews on ACV as a cold sore remedy, I decided to give it a try. On this past Tuesday went to the store an got the ACV and put some on a cotton ball. Without a moments notice the cold sore started to burn like someone had threw perm on my face!!!!...but after a few moments the burning sensation went away. About an hour later the cold sore had reduced in size. I did the same thing again before I went to bed. When I woke up the next morning the cold sore had reduced in size about 1/2 inch and had began to crack as if it was drying out already!!!!....YAY!! I thought, But to my dismay there was yet another cold sore peeking its ugly head out from beneath my lower lip. After having success with the other sore, I kept reapplying the ACV with a cotton ball 4-5 times a day for both sores for approximately 3 days. Today is Friday and I am glad to say that both sores are gone!!!!!...no more ooze and pus filled blisters..as of right now they are in the healing process, so they are scabbing over. Thanks Everyone and Earth Clinic for your wonderful tips on how to combat such an embarrassing condition!!!!..I will defintely be ready with the ACV when the next one comes!!!!!! " http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=LLYSINE_37687 /CURES/herpes5.rss9 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:04:34 EST [NAY] Kaykow from Washington, Dc writes: "I've used L-Lysine and it does not work. I currently have 3 cold sores on 3 places on my bottom lip. I've been taking L-Lysine for 1 - 1 1/2 years and I still get cold sores. Unfortunately this time it was 3 at one time." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=ACV_37545 /CURES/herpes5.rss10 Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:19:44 EST [SIDE EFFECTS] Nyx from Calgary, Alberta, Canada writes: "Reaction to ACV? I applied apple cider vinegar on a cold sore that was on the left side my botton lip (almost on the inner part). I did this at least every hour for a few days. I would hold it there for at least a minute each time. No reaction at all. Then I stared to get a bump on the right side of my lower lip, but inside (on the inner part). I don't know if it's a canker sore or cold sore (I know you get canker sores in your mouth but I don't know HOW far in they have to be to not consider it a cold sore) but I put acv on it. There was also a small cut in that area from picking off dry skin. Well I applied the acv less than 10 times throughout the course of a day and that area of my lip swelled up twice it size. I also felt some pretty intense tingling. I stopped for a day and took an allergy pill and it went down. Just to see what would happen I tried applying some acv tonight and it has swelled up again. So I put acv on the first sore MANY times and nothing happened. But when I put it on the second one it reacted? Why? " http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=MR_37056 /CURES/herpes5.rss11 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:11:24 EST [BETTER BUT NOT CURED] Don from Knoxville, Tn, Usa writes: "Red marine algae has really reduced the pain and brought on much faster healing. Using it with lysine and garlic supplements plus lysine lip salve has been a blessing. One more thing if you can find the trigger mechanism that brings them on you can avoid many outbreaks. One of mine is apple skins or any products with apple juice in it. Another is stress. " http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=ARTIFICIALSWEETENERLINK_36635 /CURES/herpes5.rss12 Sun, 27 Dec 2009 23:06:07 EST [SIDE EFFECTS] Tyler from Oshkosh, Wisconsin writes: "Started taking aspartame yesterday as a phenylalanine supplement, so I was taking a pretty significant amount, about 350mg twice a day. Today, I got a cold sore; no notice or warning (tingling or itching) or anything. I've never ingested aspartame before in my life, and don't get cold sores that often, maybe once or twice a year and it's always from too much sun. The aspartame is definitely what caused this outbreak, seeing as it's December and I'm not getting any sun at all. I'm pissed. The companies that make and sell this sh*t should be required to put a warning on the labels regarding a link between their product and cold sores/gh outbreaks. Obviously, and I can tell from reading the responses on this site, aspartame causes herpes outbreaks, and this cold sore on my lip right now wouldn't be here if I never took any in the first place." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=ACV_35780 /CURES/herpes5.rss13 Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:49:31 EST [YEA] Laura from Cape Cod, Ma writes: "Found your site while searching for natural wart remedies and read up on all the things that Apple Cider Vinegar is supposed to help. My husband suffers from cold sores (herpes) thankfully, infrequently. But he was getting a really large one and tried the ACV on it and it really worked. Soak a cotton ball with ACV and place on the area as soon as you feel tingling. Do this as often as possible for the first 24 hrs and it skips the whole burning and breakout period. The sore went right to crusting over and healing in about 4 days. We had to write in because your site helped him so much! thank you...will respond to the wart ACV remedy too because that works too!" http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=GARLIC_35786 /CURES/herpes5.rss14 Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:54:46 EST [YEA] Steven from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia writes: "There have been many times where i've ignored or taken for granted the initial tingles of an oncoming cold sore. So the remedy I'm going to share even works for cold sores at their maximum size and strength! Mix half a clove of crushed garlic with about 1/2 a tablespoon of toothpaste. Depending on the size of the cold sore(s), this mixture will make enough for a few applications. Apply it thick, on not only the cold sore, but around the affected area also. I do warn you, this will burn like mad! Leave it to dry for 3 hours, then remove and re-apply. Do this 3 or 4 times during the day. The reason this works well is because the toothpaste acts as a barrier, not letting air to the affected area, giving the crushed garlic increased potential to kill the infection. " http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=ASPIRIN_35427 /CURES/herpes5.rss15 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:29:24 EST [YEA] Bill from Calgary, Alberta writes: "To shorten the duration and size of cold sores, use ASA. Put a tablet on a spoon, then a drop of water to make a paste. Put it on the sore (you will feel it tingle). The ASA will dry up. Just keep putting it on. It will reduce redness and shorten the out break quickly. I use this when at home and instead of going out with a big white mass on my lip, I just brush it off and the sores are almost invisible. I have fewer outbreaks since I stopped drinking soda. I thank others on this site for that gem, as I used to get outbreaks every spring and late fall, signaling a weather change usually within a month." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=MH_34128 /CURES/herpes5.rss16 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:29:03 EDT [YEA] Jessica from Orlando, Florida, Usa writes: "Ive Been Using Manuka Honey for my cold sores. I normally get them from ACCIDENTALLY touching my mouth with unclean hands especially with money. When I was young I sue to get them ALL the time and could never figure out when until I got older and put 2 and 2 together and realized the Dirtiness in $$ and touching my mouth was causing continous outbreaks. I try to be as cautious as possible but I also have kids who accidentally hit me in the mouth here and there when playing or jumping around. Ive been applying manuka honey with a Q Tip everytime im touched anywhere in the area of my mouth. At night I apply the manuka honey around the outer lining of my mouth and also all over my lips and thus far have not had any outbreaks. The Manuka Honey helps destroy bacteria and is also WONDERFUL for so many different ailments. I had a cold sore a few months back and applied the manuka honey to it continuosally and the sore was gone and healed within a week. It never allowed the sore to get bubble up and hit that really disgusting stage. TRY IT IT CANT HURT!!" http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=TEDS_33956 /CURES/herpes5.rss17 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:17:43 EDT [QUESTION] E11even from Miami, Fl writes: "Clarification of Ted's remedy Can someone PLEASE translate Ted's remedy into simple dosage and instructions??? pills? liquid? topical? internally? This formula sounds good but is unclear.... "The exact measurement for the herpes simplex cure is a 5% concentration of Zinc Chloride and a 5% concentration of Magnesium Chloride. This is the simplest formula that is most easy to remember. Viruses take a long time to kill because they hide inside your body. To quicken the kill so they can no longer hide dormant, you should take 25-50 mg. of zinc acetate for a week alternatively. This means take this one week on and take it one week off. Do this for about two months." Thanks in advance, God bless... " http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=HOMEOPATHICREMEDIES_33534 /CURES/herpes5.rss18 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:43:16 EDT [BETTER BUT NOT CURED] Jane from Hamilton, New Zealand writes: "I had been getting coldsores regularly for the past twenty years. I also managed to unwittingly infect my four year old son with them. We were getting them every six weeks at least. A homeopath recommended the homeopathic remedy Natrum Muriaticum. I didn't wait for our next outbreak, just took three pilules four times a day for about three days. My son and I have been coldsore free for two years...until this week after a day's skiing I had my first outbreak (skiing for some reason has always given me the worst coldsores). That's why I'm on this site searching for quickfire remedies as the homeopathic remedy is helping but not fast enough for a quick cure. However I recommend it as a way to prevent their recurrence." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=OOO_32999 /CURES/herpes5.rss19 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:15:24 EDT [YEA] Rhonda from Rockwood, Tn writes: "I put oil of oregano (one drop) on my fever blister/ cold sore and withing an hour I noticed it was disappearing. I reapplied throughout the day and by the end of the day it was as if I never had one. It had started out that morning as a potentially nasty one - a lot of blisters covering an area about the size of a dime. As you know, what you see in the morning is just the tip of the ice berg as they continue to grow during the first day or so. I also put three or four drops under my tongue. I bought mine from a health food store. Get the kind that is diluted with olive oil not alcohol. Also, there are places on line that sell it cheaper and in a much higher strength. There are even places that sell it undiluted with instructions on how to dilute it with extra virgin olive oil. I've tried all the other cold sore cures. This is the only one that did anything for me." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=ES_31067 /CURES/herpes5.rss20 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:24:59 EDT [YEA] Jean from Franklin, Wi writes: "No idea where I ever got the idea to try this, but it has worked every time for me. When I get a cold sore, I put a crystal of epsom salt on it. It stings for a bit, but within a short period of time the pain is down, a few hours I know its already on the mend, and the next day its usually about 1/2 to 2/3 cleared up. It only needs to be done once." http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=HP_30613 /CURES/herpes5.rss21 Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:27:06 EDT [YEA] Sara from Miami, Florida writes: "Last Monday I had a cold sore outbreak in my upper lip (I started feeling the tingly sensation) , so immediately I looked for remedies in this website and I opted to use the Hydrogen Peroxide. Let me tell you it is a wonderful remedy for cold sore, by wednesday the cold sore was completely dry and it got never bigger than half size of a lentil bean. I had outbreaks before (usually when I am stressed) and it was a nightmare, the cold sore lasted for weeks ( I am not kidding) and it got as big as half of my upper lip. The treatment is extremely easy and cheap: damp a q-tip or cotton swab with the HP and apply to the area as many times as you can. i did it every 3 hours. Thanks earth clinic for such helpful information" http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=HP_30436 /CURES/herpes5.rss22 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:11:05 EDT [YEA] Jg from Oakland, California writes: "First of all I would like to thank all of you who've shared your experiences and comments. Last Thursday night I felt some tingling around my mouth so I decided to go and get some Abreva, (silly me). I went to bed hoping it would not get one. The next morning I woke up with some small blisters on the top corner of my lip, (I had to call in sicked). By Friday afternoon the blisters had spread to my side of my mouth and it was now almost now the size of a quarter. This was the first time I had a sore that big. I was desperate and didn't know what to do. I could not show up to work on monday with a sore that big. That's when I decided to do some internet research and I ran into this site! I read on some of your Hydrogen peroxide success stories and decided to try it. I had my wife go to the store and get a small bottle of it. I poked the blisters with a needle and then held a cotton ball soaked in Peroxide for as long as I could. I then, covered the soar with a ___ ( you can find this at you local pharmacy) this is a gel. The gel will harden and won't let the soar get any air. (the virus can't continue to grow without air). After a few hours I carefully remove the gel by rubbing peroxide on it. I repeated this process every 3 to 4 hours throughout the day. Did the same thing all day Saturday. By Sunday night, All I had was a scab. I put some chap stick on the hard scab to make it soft and remove it. Monday morning, I used some on my wife's make up to cover the redness of my skin. You could hardly tell I had something there. This is the quickest I've been able to get rid of a cold sore! Thanks to you all!! " http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=VICKS_30222 /CURES/herpes5.rss23 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 04:20:29 EDT [YEA] Sandy from Monterey Park, Ca writes: "My husband was sporting a cold sore on his lip for a couple weeks. He was using some OTC stuff. I told him that I heard Dr. Oz say something about Vicks being good for fungus. He ignored me. Then I felt a sting on my lip and knew a cold sore was coming on. I immediately took a swab of Vicks and put it on my lip. I could feel it tingle. I kept applying it when ever I felt it had rubbed off. In two days the sore was gone. He was still sporting his!" http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=ACV_29987 /CURES/herpes5.rss24 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:12:51 EDT [YEA] Pamm from Birmingham, Al writes: "Cold Sores This site has been amazing & I have loved it! I hate taking medication for anything, so I try all of these natural remedies first. And I have had some Down Falls. But more good then bad. Everyone is different so not everything will work for everyone. I noticed I had a virus of some sort and noticed my lips were tingling and sore and I had many blisters forming quickly. I did not have my usual cold sore medication and I hate fever blisters so I came on here and read about the Apple Cider Vinegar Cure. I am not going to put fingernail polish remover on my lips because of the toxins in it, so I tried the ACV and it burned but not too bad. I did this throughout the day and by nighttime I could see they were drying up & looked better. Here it is the next morning. Not completely gone, but less noticeable no tingling, no pain, they are almost completely dried up. They are not hurting like they were yesterday. Also try taking Valtrex, you have to get a prescription from your doctor but it works. It boost your immune system. But I was amazed that this Apple Cider Vinegar worked so quickly! I am going to keep doing it today, and I know they will not come out if I keep it soaked down with the natural Apple Cider Vinegar. Natural all the way! " http://www.earthclinic.com/Redirect.php?pageLink=/CURES/herpes.html&name=EARWAX_28805 /CURES/herpes5.rss25 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:39:22 EDT [YEA] Robin from St. Augustine, FL writes: "It is my wish to relieve people of the embarassment of the stigma that goes with walking around with huge, weeping, gross cold sores on the lips. You DO NOT have to live with this anymore. Ever!! At the first sign of 'tingle' get some of your OWN ear wax, yes, I said ear wax, via swab, finger or whatever....and apply to the tingle spot. That cold sore will never come into fruition. You will feel the battle going on immediatley. Do not guffaw and say 'ewwww gross' as this is a very real effect. Of course you are not going to want to run your tongue around your lips for about a day....but so what? I've never, ever suffered another cold sore again....This is a solid thing. Your ear, nose and throat are all one and if one gets 'infected', the others send out 'soldiers' so the whole system is not infected. Your ears have the remedy for cold sores. Just do it and don't hem and haw. It is 100% effective. Get over the gross out factor and allow what nature produces to do what it's supposed to do. You don't even have to tell anybody how you are cold sore free....they probably can't handle it but it's nice to know that you have the 'lip balm' that will free you from that dreaded situation. You can do this in any stage of the infection...it will halt its tracks upon application...but why wait till you're sporting the fugly scab? When you feel the tingle....start harvesting nature's remedy supplied in your own ear. And have a blessed day."