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Cold Sore Remedies That Work Fast: Natural Treatments & Prevention

| Modified on Dec 15, 2025
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Cold Sore Natural Remedies

Cold Sore Remedies That Work Fast: Natural Relief & Prevention

Cold sores (fever blisters) are painful, fluid-filled blisters—usually on or around the lips—caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Even though HSV remains in the body long-term, many natural remedies and targeted supplements can reduce pain, shorten healing time, and help prevent frequent outbreaks. This guide covers what to do at each stage of a cold sore, what many people find works quickly, and what Earth Clinic readers commonly report.

Important: Cold sores are contagious, especially from the tingling stage until fully healed. Avoid kissing, oral sex, sharing lip products, towels, cups, or utensils during an outbreak. Wash hands after touching the area.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. If you are pregnant, immunocompromised, prone to severe outbreaks, or have sores near your eyes, consult a clinician promptly. Always patch-test topical remedies.

What Are Cold Sores?

Cold sores are most commonly caused by HSV-1, though HSV-2 can also cause oral outbreaks. After the first infection, the virus can remain dormant in nearby nerves and reactivate when triggered by factors such as stress, illness, sun exposure, hormonal shifts, or poor sleep.

Many people feel early warning symptoms before the blister appears—tingling, itching, warmth, or burning—followed by small clusters of blisters that may break open and crust over. Healing often takes 7–14 days, but early action can significantly shorten that timeline for many people.

Cold Sore Stages: What to Do When

Best time to act: The tingling stage (prodrome). Many remedies work best before the blister fully forms.

  •  Fastest Natural Remedies

If you want a simple, high-impact plan, start here. These are widely used, practical, and often reported to help most when used early.

1) L-Lysine (Oral + Optional Topical)

L-lysine is a go-to supplement for HSV outbreaks. Many people use 1,000 mg once to three times daily during an outbreak (follow label directions), and some take a lower maintenance dose for prevention. Topical lysine creams may help when applied at the first sign of tingling.

2) Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon balm is one of the best-known topical herbs for HSV. Apply lemon balm cream/salve several times daily, especially at the first sign of tingling. Many people keep it on hand as an “early intervention” remedy.

3) Zinc (Topical or Oral)

Zinc supports immune function and skin repair. Some people prefer topical zinc (zinc sulfate/zinc oxide formulations) for drying and soothing. Oral zinc is often used for short periods during outbreaks (avoid excessive doses long-term unless supervised).

4) Propolis (Bee Resin)

Propolis is widely used topically for cold sores. Propolis ointments or extracts are commonly applied several times daily. People often report reduced pain and faster healing when started early.

5) Cold Compress (Fast Pain Relief)

A cold compress can reduce swelling, redness, and pain quickly. Apply for 5–10 minutes as needed, especially during the tingling and blister stages.

Topical Remedies

Topical safety rule: Essential oils can burn delicate lip skin if used undiluted. Always dilute in a carrier oil (coconut, olive, jojoba) and patch-test first.

Tea Tree Oil (Diluted)

Tea tree oil is commonly used for its antiviral and antiseptic properties. Dilute well and apply carefully with a cotton swab, avoiding cracked skin if it stings.

Peppermint Oil (Diluted)

Peppermint oil may reduce discomfort due to menthol’s cooling effect. Use diluted and discontinue if irritation occurs.

Aloe Vera Gel

Pure aloe vera gel can soothe irritation and support healing—especially during the ulcer and crusting stages when skin feels tight and inflamed.

Manuka Honey or Raw Honey

Honey is used topically for its soothing and antimicrobial properties. Apply a thin layer and reapply as needed (avoid double-dipping into the jar).

Licorice Root (Topical Paste)

Licorice contains compounds studied for HSV activity. Some people mix licorice powder with a small amount of water to form a paste and apply directly.

Myrrh (Diluted)

Myrrh is traditionally used for wound care. Use diluted preparations to avoid irritation.

Protective Barrier for Cracking

During crusting, many people do best with a simple protective barrier to prevent painful cracking (for example, a thin layer of plain ointment). Avoid fragranced balms that sting.

Acetone (Earth Clinic’s Most Talked-About Remedy)

Caution: Acetone can irritate or burn skin and should never be used near the eyes, inside the mouth, or on large areas. If used at all, apply a tiny amount with a cotton swab to the blister only, avoid surrounding skin, and stop if burning or redness worsens.

Some Earth Clinic readers report that carefully dabbing a tiny amount of acetone on a forming cold sore helps dry it out quickly. Because it can be harsh, this is not for everyone and should be used with extreme care.

Supplements That May Help

These supplements are commonly used to support immune response and healing. Choose one or two to start, follow label directions, and avoid mega-dosing unless supervised.

  • Vitamin C – Often used during outbreaks to support immune function and tissue repair.
  • Vitamin D – Helpful for immune balance, especially in people who are low.
  • Zinc – Short-term support during outbreaks; avoid long-term high doses without copper balance guidance.
  • L-lysine – One of the most commonly used HSV supplements for both outbreaks and prevention.
  • B-complex – Helpful for stress-related depletion for some people.
  • Omega-3s – Supports inflammation balance and skin health.

Tip: If your cold sores are strongly linked to stress, sleep loss, or sun exposure, addressing those triggers often reduces outbreaks more than any single remedy.

Prevention: Reduce Recurrence

Identify Your Triggers

Common triggers include stress, illness, sun exposure, wind/cold weather, hormonal changes, alcohol, and sleep disruption. Tracking outbreaks for a few weeks can reveal patterns.

Sun Protection for Lips

UV exposure is a major trigger for many people. Use a simple lip product with SPF and reapply during outdoor time.

Diet: Balance Arginine and Lysine

Some people find outbreaks correlate with high-arginine foods (chocolate, nuts, seeds, certain grains). Others are unaffected. If you suspect a link, reduce arginine-heavy foods during high-risk times and emphasize lysine-rich foods.

Stress and Sleep

Outbreak frequency often drops when sleep improves and stress is managed. Even brief daily practices (walking, breathwork, gentle exercise) may help.

Earth Clinic Reader Reviews & Other User Reports

What readers often report: Early application matters. Remedies used at the tingling stage tend to work best.

Acetone is one of the most discussed Earth Clinic approaches. Many readers claim it dries a forming cold sore quickly when used very early and very carefully. Others find it too irritating and prefer gentler options.

L-lysine is frequently reported for both prevention and faster healing. Users commonly describe fewer outbreaks when lysine is taken consistently, and shorter outbreaks when used at the first sign of tingling.

Lemon balm is often reported as a top topical remedy, especially for reducing discomfort and shortening the duration when applied early and frequently.

Zinc (topical and/or oral) is commonly mentioned for drying, soothing, and supporting faster healing.

Reminder: What works quickly for one person may not work the same for another. Patch-test topicals and discontinue anything that causes worsening irritation.

When to See a Doctor

Seek medical guidance promptly if:

  • You have sores near the eye or eye pain/redness (urgent).
  • You are immunocompromised or pregnant and have frequent or severe outbreaks.
  • Sores are unusually large, spreading, or not improving after 10–14 days.
  • You develop fever, severe facial swelling, or signs of secondary infection (increasing redness, warmth, pus).

Prescription antivirals can be very effective for some people, especially if started early. Many individuals use natural strategies alongside medical care.

FAQ

How long do cold sores last?

Many outbreaks last 7–14 days, but early intervention during tingling can shorten duration for some people.

What is the fastest thing to do at the first sign?

Many people start with lemon balm, lysine, zinc, and a cold compress immediately, then avoid triggers (especially sun and stress).

Should I keep the sore dry or moisturized?

During the weeping stage, keeping it clean and protected is key. During crusting, a simple protective barrier often prevents painful cracking and can support healing.

Can cold sores spread to other parts of the body?

Yes. Avoid touching the sore, wash hands, and do not share personal items. Avoid contact lenses if you’ve touched the area without washing first.

Conclusion

Cold sores can be painful and frustrating, but many people get real relief using targeted natural remedies and supportive supplements. For the best results, act early—at the first sign of tingling—and keep your approach simple: a proven topical (like lemon balm or propolis), a support supplement (like lysine), and strong prevention habits (sun protection, sleep, and stress management).

If you have a remedy that worked especially well for you, consider sharing your experience so it can help others in the Earth Clinic community. Keep reading to learn what Earth Clinic readers have to say!

Related Links:

Effective Natural Treatments for Genital Herpes Relief
Genital HPV Remedies

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Acetone

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Posted by KK (Cyprus) on 02/18/2025
 ★★★★★

Acetone works...but cautiously

Been dealing with this regularly for 30 years.. ended up with acetone dabbed on with earbuds.

Initially kept it on until the burns. Now I'm not sure if a lot of the scabbing that follows is due to the coldsore healing itself, or actual acetone burns.

Will keep using it. Maybe cautiously to avoid damage to surrounding areas, which may actually take longer to heal.

Acetone
Posted by earth is a pancake (chiraq, illinois.) on 09/09/2023
 ★★★★★

When I read about cold sores and acetone - I thought these people had lost their minds!! ... but this last time I had a bad case sold sore, two locations on lower lip about 5-6 bumps / bulbs, 3-4 of them were getting oversized, I looked horrible - and hurt like a mofo.

I used a q-tip to dip in a home depot purchased acetone container and applied throughout the day starting in the afternoon. Without any exaggeration, and with outmost sincerity, it worked for me. By the end of the day 10 pm or so - the size of the bumps/bulbs decreased to about 25% from the large size of that same morning. I could not believe it. I asked my roommate, just to make sure I was not losing my mind and going blind...

By the next morning, the bumps decreased more in size, and a small scabs started to appear - signaling the healing process has begun... I only applied once or twice the second day.

Don't ingest the powerful acetone, careful breathing in the fumes - I held my breath as much as possible, sealed my lips / mouth while applying with q tip soaked. Acetone evaporates very quickly, so application time is short.. Think I applied about 10 times from afternoon til midnight the first day.

Hope this helps!

Replied by V
(US)
11/04/2023
★★★★☆

Be Careful with Acetone!

Acetone is so powerful it will take the paint right off your car!

You are using it to kill the virus, this shouldn't take more than 1 day, once the virus is dead, meaning the cold sores stop growing and developing, you need to stop using acetone, it is used to kill the virus, not to heal the cold sore, the healing process happens naturally, the more you leave it alone the quicker it will heal.

Acetone
Posted by Whathadhappendedwas (Florida) on 08/28/2023
 ★★★★★

Acetone is the best remedy I've tried. I get the big swollen lip. Others have said to keep it on for five minutes. However, I kept it on for a min or so at a time. I did it about 20 times the first day.

My lip went down after a couple hours. I then poked the blister with a needle and got the fluid out. Next day it crusted over. Did the acetone all day again but maybe fewer times. Third day was just a scab. Did the acetone a few more times just in case. Now I'm just waiting for the scab to come off. I'm on the fourth day. It usually takes a week before it scabs over. I guess I'll be doing this from now on.

Acetone
Posted by Sweetpeasal (Duarte, CA) on 10/25/2022
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I have suffered with cold sores my whole life. After spending a day out in the sun, I could feel my lip starting to swell (you know the feeling). I frantically looked online to see if there was some new remedy out there. I discovered this site and saw so many good reviews about acetone I figured I'd give it a try. (I used to use BHT and lysine but that ceased to work for me.)

Miracle of miracles, the acetone worked! Several times of the day, I would press a q-tip dipped in 100% acetone onto the area until it stung and then removed it. The cold sore never even got to the tingle phase. By day two my lip was slightly swollen but only about a third of what it normally would have been. By day three it was 10% swollen with a simple scab that could be covered with lipstick. No blisters even. Unbelievable. A week later, the small scab is still there, but the sore is clearly receding to nothing.

Where has this been my whole life?! The acetone must just kill the virus! Thank you all for sharing your experience with this amazing remedy! So helpful.

Acetone
Posted by naturalremedies101 (orlando, fl ) on 08/11/2022
 ★★★★★

My bottom lip was tingling all day. At the end of the day around 6pm, I looked in a zoom-in mirror and could see the horrendous 3 bumps forming. I immediately began applying acetone. I did this for 30 seconds-1 min at a time up every 20-30 minutes up until I went to bed around 10pm. I worked the next day and could still see the bumps, but they did not pop or grow. I went ahead and applied and applied nail polish remover in the morning before going to work and once in the afternoon. When I got home, I applied it again until I went to sleep multiple times. I kept a cotton pad with acetone on until it burned too much. On day 3, there was no longer a coldsore forming! I can't believe this actually worked :)

Replied by beverly
(USA)
10/29/2023

Acetone is not the safest chemical in the world so I would use a q tip so as to target the sore better rather than a cotton ball.

acetonefaq.pdf (delaware.gov)

Acetone
Posted by Gemma (Lancashire) on 07/17/2022
 ★★★☆☆

WARNING!

Editor's Choice

Last summer I had a beast of a cold sore. It was 6 in one!! I hadn't had one in about 15 years so it was very weird. Probably from vaccine shedding from other people.
For some reason I didn't think to check on here until about day 5. I tried acetone but the skin was already broken and it made it 10 times worse and left a scar too.

I think acetone must be used at the first signs and would be very effective but not once the skin has broken.

Acetone
Posted by GILLIAN (CA) on 07/10/2022
 ★★★★★

I haven't gotten cold sore breakouts very often but have had them since I was a child. I've even gone years without an outbreak. When I would get one it would be mild and I'd combat it with Lysine and oil of oregenal both orally and topically. Usually they wouldn't even get to a blister with this treatment. However, I recently had a really large one come out on my bottom lip and it took forever to come down and heal. What a pain! The area is still slightly raw and sensitive. Over the long weekend of the 4th of July I got a lot of sun and didn't drink enough water, drank alcohol and got totally dehydrated. I felt my lip burning. I woke up with 3 huge ones on my bottom lip coming up into blisters!!!

Panicking I scoured the internet and saw Cheri's post from 2021. I tried it and put acetone on each one with a q-tip for about 20 seconds each and 1 DAY LATER they had all scabbed over!!

This would have been at least a week or more without this remedy! Thank you!!

Acetone
Posted by Cheri S. (Wellington, Florida) on 03/18/2021
 ★★★★★

My husband had his first cold sore at 42 years old. Neither of us even knew what it was at first. He is very tough when it comes to pain and this thing was excruciating for him. I found this suggestion on Earth Clinic, thank God. He said there was a huge relief with the very first application of acetone. He applied it with a cotton ball only 4- 5 times a day (yes, it burns, but definitely worth it). He is on day 3 now and it is significantly smaller, scabbed over, and he has almost no pain or swelling on his lip. This would have been a miserable 2 week experience if it weren't for you all posting your effective treatments. Thank you Earth Clinic!!

Acetone
Posted by Jennifer (San Francisco) on 11/24/2020
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Acetone for cold sores works. I also have used ice directly early on for a few hours off and on and that helps too.

However, the MOST important thing you can do to PREVENT cold sores is to NEVER consume ANY artificial sweeteners, which all contain aspartame, including almost any type of gum these days, diet sodas, diet drinks of ANY form, etc, as the aspartame WAKES the virus and activates cold sores. I have not had a cold sore in many years as a result of avoiding aspartame. Hope this helps someone.

Replied by Carolyne
(Washington)
12/15/2024
★★★★★

It's not just the aspartame. I started totally avoiding aspartame and ALL artificial sweeteners years ago, (I never drink sodas either) and I still get a cold sore, every time I get a runny nose-- a cold, the flu (which is RARE), or allergies and Im blowing/wiping my nose a lot!! So I think I need to take Lysine. When they do start to come on-- I SWEAR by the acetone and/or ICE!! Apply the ice cube till it hurts! let it rest a while and do it again, repeat often as soon as you feel that tingle. The virus can't take the cold and it goes away without scabbing...

Acetone
Posted by Craig (Albany, Oregon) on 10/17/2018
 ★★★★★

Wow! Another satisfied acetone customer. I wish everything worked so well.

Acetone
Posted by Jerome (New York) on 07/04/2018 9 posts
 ★★★★★

Another YEA for acetone for cold sores. I've gotten cold sores since I was a child, sometimes so deep it looked like someone put out a cigarette on my lip. Now I soak a cotton ball with acetone and press it to the cold sore for 20 seconds and after 2 or 3 applications the cold sore is on its way out. Every time.

Such a brilliant remedy, so cheap and SO much more effective than any expensive cream or Valtrex.

Acetone
Posted by Firm Believer (Nyc) on 12/21/2017
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Absolutely, positively and without fail works 100% of the time

I'm 42 and I've gotten cold sores my whole life. Like all of you, I too have tried everything I could get my hands on including Dr. prescribed meds. Nothing. Ice seems to chill them out for a bit - but they always came back with a vengeance. I found that acetone works 100% of the time. 100%. I honestly don't care what any naysayer says. It's really that good. If you catch it at the tingle stage, then it stops there. If you catch it at the blister stage, the blisters immediately go down and your at the scab stage. Even that goes quicker. This is the closest thing to a medical miracle that I've experienced. The folks who suffer from this virus would understand that statement. I keep a little bottle of acetone in my home, my car, at work and in my luggage.

Acetone
Posted by Jordan D (Georgetown, Tx) on 12/13/2017
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Read about this little home remedy yesterday after noticing a cluster of cold sores pop up on my lip when I woke up yesterday morning. Some of the reviews were good and some bad. I decided in a panic and with my wedding only 2 days away that it was worth a shot to try. Not big on the home remedies, but I have been getting cold sores since I was 5 years old (now 26), I have used any and all cold sore medicines, creams, tablets, you name it! None of which have been even close to successful! Last night before bed I held a cotton ball with fingernail polish remover over the nasty cluster of sores on my lip for about 6 minutes. The original post had advised leaving the cotton ball with the polish remover on the affected area for 30 minutes... YES 30 MINUTES. (Not sure how I feel about that one.) I noticed after the 6 minutes that the color of my lip was getting darker and out of fear for it bruising I went ahead and removed it. Immediately I noticed a difference in the affected area. It looked so much better! After wards I cleaned the affected area with hydrogen peroxide on another cotton ball and went to bed. I woke up this morning and to my surprise the clusters were no longer filled with that nasty liquid, they already had a nice scab on them ( the scab was almost the same color as my lips, as it did not look dark or irritated) By lunch time today everything is back to its original color, the scabs are almost completely gone, and the cluster is no longer noticeable unless I stand very close to the mirror. I am definitely forever in favor of this little remedy! Pretty surprised that such a simple solution works after spending TONS of money on medicines for it for 21 years! OH also...after using the nail polish remover BUT before using the hydrogen peroxide I gently cleaned the affected area with my fingers using luke warm tap water and antibacterial hand soap.

Good luck!!!

Acetone
Posted by Kcarey (Dublin, Ireland) on 02/09/2017
 ★★★★★

Nail varnish remover (acetone) on cotton wool held on cold sore for 10 mins a few times a day.

I cannot overemphasize how much this works; I currently have a very big very sore collection of cold sores & I tried nail varnish remover (as I read it somewhere else) & I could not believe how much it helped within an hour! It sounds drastic & it does sting a lot but the pain is over quickly & cold sore is drastically improved after 1 go!

I've tried everything in the past; taking lysine (cold sores still appeared), zovirax on first tingle (actually think moistening it made it come out not disappear), dabbing with alcohol (helps a v small bit), doing a lot of different stress management techniques to avoid triggers (sleep, exercise, eating well) all to no avail; the nail varnish remover is the only thing where I've actually seen a difference.

One thing I will say about prevention that works is not to let your lips get chapped; most of the times I get a cold sore its after my lips are v dry and chapped; they crack & then out pops a cold score.

I hope it helps someone else.

Acetone
Posted by Concerned (Georgia ) on 01/12/2016
 ★★★★★

I have suffered from cold sores ever since I was in elementary school. I am currently 20 years old. I usually get cold sores once a year. But this past year (2015), I got two of them. To top that off, I got one at the beginning of the new year. These are the WORST. I have tried nearly everything. This past time I had a cold sore, I read on the internet that nail polish remover really works. And man was that right! I caught mine before it got too bad.

I put the acetone on it once every hour of the day. Hold it for 20 seconds, IT WILL BURN! But it works. The next morning, my cold sore was almost gone. It wasn't even noticeable! I continued the process of applying acetone every hour of the day until it was gone.

It also helps to take the vitamin L-lysine. I also drink plenty of milk when I have cold sores, because milk also contains lysine.

I hope this was helpful!

Replied by Andie
(Oregon)
01/18/2017

Tried it. didn't work!!! Very disappointed... Made it spread. So mad!


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