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.
Liquid Bandaid
Posted by Trying (Surburbia, Sc) on 02/03/2011
★★★★★
For those of you that have suggested a liquid bandage product - and for those of you who have wondered why on earth it might work....
I checked the ingredients this morning. In this order, it contains acetone(! ), alcohol(! ), isobutane-propane (propellant), oil of cloves(! ), pyroxylin solution. Three of its "inactive" ingredients are remedies that have been suggested in the comments as fixes, and one of them -- acetone -- has been recommended over and over.
If you haven't had a chance to check out the research someone posted earlier, there actually is bonafide medical research (by people with standard credentials) that shows that acetone does inhibit the reproduction of the virus by 90% - 97%. And it is a naturally occuring substance in the body, although NOT to be taken internally, without danger of running into things like Bell's Palsy, as someone else has mentioned. (i.e. , don't put it inside your mouth under any circumstances -- as they say, for external use only! )
Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. I'm trying them all (well, almost all). Humongous case, worst I've ever had. Moved from my lips to around my mouth, covering one jaw and under my neck. It's still spreading, but no where near as fast as it was. And no longer as completely uncomfortable and distracting as it was. Fortunately, I'm not letting it stop me. If other people are offended by looking at my disfigurement, that's their problem. I'm not going to miss work because I look funny.
Good luck, everyone!
Ear Wax
Posted by Oxygen Therapy (Miami, Florida, Usa) on 01/09/2011
Yes, earwax will stop a cold sore in its tracks. This is an old remedy that should not pass into oblivion. We all need to pass these down to the next generation!
Acetone
Posted by Melissa (New Brunswick, Nj) on 06/03/2011
★★★★★
IT WORKS! It's a miracle cure, I got a cold sore yesterday, used the nailpolish remover in the morning and by 5 or 6 pm is was almost gone, and this morning you can barely see anything! ONE DAY and I can leave the house! AMAZING
Garlic
Posted by J.t. (Delta, Oh, Usa) on 11/16/2011
I've been putting fresh garlic on my lip, not only burns, surrounding area seems to be discolored as well.
Vitamin C
Posted by Doug (Miami, Fl) on 11/05/2010
★★★★★
Vitamin C deserves it's own listing under cures. It's the one thing that works for me. If I take it at the first 'tingle' - no outbreaks. If I catch it too late (for example, I have a little blister when I wake up in the morning), the blister never gets any bigger. I'll generally take about 1500mg every couple of hours until the tingling goes away. Random note: 95% of my outbreaks are preceded by dry/chapped lips. Since moving back to Florida, outbreaks are luckily very rare.
Triggers
Posted by Sb (Rockland, Me) on 05/19/2010
★★★★★
I found that an Apple allergy causes open sores around the mouth. So far I know at least a dozen people have checked to see if their cold sores are related to apples and agree that apples bring on the sores.
Elderberry
Posted by Carynllewellyn (Edgewater, Maryland) on 04/14/2010
★★★★★
for over 15 years, I used to have back to back out breaks of genital herpes...I tried prescription meds to no avail...these meds gave me headaches...so I stopped taking them & just suffered.
Then I tried taking B-Complex w/C twice daily...this helped a lot...but not completely but at least I was down to one or two outbreaks a month usually around my menstrual cycle as opposed to chronic outbreaks...so I did a little research & found that Elderberry was an anti viral herbal (see notes below) I gave it a try...
To my Amazement WITHIN DAYS, I was free of any outbreaks at all...and the only outbreak I've had in the past few years was due to running out of the elderberry...it's an amazing little fruit.
Of course now, I make sure to have a little extra on hand...I am able to eat citrus again, this used to aggrevate my outbreaks, so much so that I had to avoid all citrus or suffer the consequences.
NOTES:
The research I read said that Elderberry is an anti-viral fruit... The way it works is that it actually encapsulates the virus and thus it is kept from attacking the body so it is flushed out in the urine/waste products. Regardless of how it works that little berry is another of Mother Nature's blessings. Before discovering it, I was in such bad shape from chronic outbreaks that I really couldn't have relations for fear of spreading that nasty little virus to my spouse.
I would Imagine since it is an anti-viral, it would work with regards to ANY VIRUS, which would make it especially helpful during cold & flu season & I would imagine (in my unprofessional opinion) that it would help those suffering from the HIV Virus as well. Please pass this info on to help others suffering as I was.
I recently began growing my own Elderberry Bush to make jams & pies, juice etc...the birds seem to love it as well...hope they leave some for me...hahaha...anyway, There is an Online shop that sells it at a very affordable price...and it's worth mentioning this because they sell it at 1/2 the cost of what one would pay at the local herb shop.
Thanks for Reading & Blessings to All, Caryn
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Baz2010 (Newburgh, Ny, Usa) on 02/01/2010
★★★★★
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.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Megan (Brooklyn, New York) on 09/21/2010
★★★★★
This 100% works. I have had cold sores all my life and I have used hydrogen peroxide and it is already dried out after 30 minutes. It is even better if u take a Q-tip dip it first in rubbing alcohol, then non- acetone nail polish remover then hydrogen peroxide. It burns so bad but its works so fast.!!
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Hilde (Chicago, Il) on 02/03/2010
Aspartame is toxic. It not only, apparently, causes herpes outbreaks, but may be linked to all sorts of ailments that plague people today. Don't believe the FDA's and diet industry's lies! Research the dangers of aspartame and stop ingesting it already.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Rhonda (Rockwood, Tn) on 10/01/2009
★★★★★
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.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Jersey Guy (Jersey) on 02/19/2014
I'd like to add, yes higher strengths of oregano or olive leaf helps greatly. I would post what I use but I don't think I can. I'd like to add I use it with a product called diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth is a product that attacks parasites please please please research it u may like it. I've tried a bunch pf different products and some seem to work for a while and then I get stressed or drunk and pow it was back. I stumbled on diatomaceous earth from a website that had higher doses of a lot of good products but was to pricey. So I found the same strength cheaper online and gave it a try. I mixed DE with water and Olive leaf and did that 5 times that day. I think I did to much at once , because the next day I felt a tingling around my spine and burning and intense itching sensation at the back of my legs. I showered and used Food grade peroxide all over my body. and withen hours the itching and burning stopped and the sores went away. I kept doing the Olive leaf and DE daily it happened again maybe a week later much smaller and less intense, I did the same process in the shower with the peroxide. Everything had stopped again. I believed it to be the products pushing the virus to the surface. fast forward 8 months of doing this daily I havent had the slightest itch burning sensation etc. I recently added probiotics as that extra immune boost to keep me healthy but yeah. I just wanted to share my experience 8 months no issues when I use to have it at least twice a month.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Jean (Franklin, Wi) on 08/18/2009
★★★★★
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.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Jg (Oakland, California) on 08/04/2009
★★★★★
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!!
Vicks
Posted by Sandy (Monterey Park, Ca) on 07/29/2009
★★★★★
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!
Vicks
Posted by Vetta (Northeast, Usa) on 09/26/2010
This stuff works wonders on cold sores. Just apply like lip gloss. The scent isn't as strong as you think. Doesn't work instantly but heals them faster. And prevents future ones.
Acidophilus
Posted by Jimdave (Lavinia, Tennessee) on 06/02/2009
★★★★★
Acidolpholis cured my cold sores and fever blisters. Had them all my life and saw a note about this bacteria in a magazine. I laughed, like everyone else. Later is desperation I tried some Bulgarian Buttermilk and within 24 hrs they were gone. Worked for years, then they took the buttermilk off the shelves. Replaced it with bulgarian style (no bacteria added). It's a fake and doesn't work anymore. Bought the pills over the counter. Also works great. Just take one or two ocasionaly when traveling and eating processed food.If takeing antibiotics or drinking clorinated water you will need to take a mega dose between antibiotic pills. You will be amazed. No thrush or hemorriods. Most every company has thier own kind of bacteria so I alternate and keep a couple on hand. Some now say that they contain Bulgariacus. That apears to be the best.
Ear Wax
Posted by Shawn (Rochester, New York) on 04/22/2009
★★★★★
Cold Sores - Earwax: the thought and the taste is rather nasty, but it works better than anything else i've tried. When we were younger my mom use to apply our own earwax, strait from our ears to the effected area, to me sibblings and my sibblings whenever we got one. this really works.
Bleach
Posted by Amber (Portland, Oregon) on 02/27/2009
I am happy to hear about your success Gloria, and while I see that your sharing of it is intended to be helpful, I feel I must express my sincere concern about the safety of your remedy. Bleach is very toxic, even to breathe. I know that many of us use or have used it in our homes and for laundry, etc...and have probably absorbed it into our skin, without noticing, but I cringe to think about someone applying it to the mouth area, or getting the idea that this is a safe remedy to use in the future. I would hope that anyone reading over this remedy would take this into consideration and pursue other methods of healing, that are natural and work with the body instead of against it. In my opinion, it would be safer to just 'wait out' the sore than to apply a toxic substance to it. I hope you understand my need to mention all of this, as I feel that certain people could be harmed by this remedy.
Tea Bag
Posted by Kelly (Nashville , TN) on 02/20/2009
★★★★★
I have had clients who had very good success using Earl Grey tea bags as a compress for the cold sore. Wet a tea bag in barely warm water, squeeze just a little until not dripping and then use as a compress for 20 minutes at a time several times a day. The bergamont oil and tannins in the tea should heal the sore.
Lecithin
Posted by Anita (Ny) on 04/14/2011
★★★★★
I sprinkle in on my eggs almost every morning. I don't necessarily take the full 2500mg, but I am also small ~115lb. I also do ice, lysine, and h2o2 if I feel a tingle. Haven't had a major breakout since.
Honey
Posted by Kamran (Nyc, Ny Usa) on 04/12/2012
★★★★★
It's April and it is spring. The weather is fluctuating 15-20 degrees (cold at night - warm during the day)
On Monday night, I was feeling extremely tired and exhausted to the point that I went to sleep at 9PM (I usually sleep very late). I woke up Tuesday morning and started feel a little tingle on my upper right lip and at the same time felt a bit of "COLD" coming on. I wasn't concern about the cold ( continuous sneezing gives me an early warning that I am catching a cold which didn't happen), but I knew that I'd have cold sores on my lip and it would hurt. Tuesday went by with my upper lips giving tingle sensations. On Wednesday morning I GOT the BLISTERS popping out, my lips were irritated, and it hurt. I came to work and researched earth clinic that always I always do for a personal healing information/solution. At around 12 Noon, I started dipping dabs of honey (which I use with my green tea) on the spot. At first, after a minute or so my cold sore started to tingle then the area felt burning a bit ( not too high, but I felt it). I kept on dabbing honey at the spot the rest of the day. By evening, the area stopped hurting, but the tingle continued whenever I dabbed honey on the spot. Before I went to sleep, I dabbed a bit of honey on the spot and went to sleep.
Thursday morning (after sleeping only 4 hours), I woke up and went to bathroom mirror. My lip sore WASN'T SWOLLEN as yesterday, the dark scab was lighter (instead of darker and hard), and the top skin on the sore must have come out. The area feels a bit hard and I believe that by end of day, the swollen area will subside. THE PAIN AND IRRITATION IS GONE and IT DIDN"T COST ME ANYHTING EXTRA.
RESULT: After a cold sore outbreak, I applied HONEY, and it took 24 hours to stop and start reversing the virus.
HONEY has multitudes of benefits including ANTI-BACTERIAL power.
As for the cold, I started taking Tomato Tea just to be safe.
L-Lysine
Posted by Rodney (Charlotte, NC) on 12/09/2008
★★★★★
I heard about l-lysine for cold sores using the internet about 10 years ago. I tried it then and it did not work. This time L-Lysine closed my sore almost immediately. This time I took larger dosages. My sore was already opening on my lip when I started using Abreva. But Abreva(???no generic ointment name) is not that great once a sore starts.
Since discovering this site, I decided to use a larger dosage of the L-lysine and within 1.5 (one and one half days) the sore has closed up and is well on its way to disappearing. Even though Herpes I is widespread, it is very uncomfortable for me to deal with people's reaction to seeing an open sore on your lips.
Measurements:
I am a big guy. So this time I used 3 1000mg tablets every six hours for 2 days. And each day following the first 2 days, I will lower it 1000 mg until I am taking nothing.
I usally get sores around the holidays which is a very stressful time for me for some reason. Thanks so much!
Ear Wax
Posted by C.R. (Springfield, MO) on 10/05/2008
★★★★★
OK this is gross ... But it works, I even had my boss try it.... Grandma said when you have a coldsore, use your own earwax. But don't lick your lips! I know. I know. But if you like me I use to get them all the time.. I havent had one in years.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Lauren (Whitehorse, YT) on 01/27/2009
★★★★★
I have used peroxide for the last 3 years. Before that my doctor gave me this cream to put on but it didn't work. And abreva never worked for me either. And a family friend told me that she uses a needle to pop the little blisters, if its just forming and there are no little blisters visible, then she just poked holes in it, as much as she could stand, then she would use a q tip and dab on peroxide. It really works. I use the spray on peroxide myself. I prefer it, i just hold a Kleenex under the cold sore and spray it. And i keep spraying over and over until it stops foaming. And as for dieting to help, taking calcium pills will help. Also when its forming get some milk dip a cloth into it and press it against the cold sore, it should stop it from getting any bigger. The virus is always there, never gone, but it is contained by calcium like a big bubble, and when your stressed or sick, the walls of the bubble fade and weaken, then the virus gets out. So take lots of calcium! It does help. And any time i forget to take my pills, i get a damn cold sore!
Urine
Posted by Michelle (Toronto, ON) on 09/07/2008
★★★★★
I've suffered from cold sores my entire life. I hate when I feel that tingle coming on. I tried everything, and some things will help and shorten the duration, but I finally found what will stop if from even developing. My step-dad said he heard of people using their own urine. Just pass a q-tip through your own stream of urine, then dab it on the spot where a coldsore is developing. I was VERY reluctant to try this, but one day I felt one coming on and I was desperate. I tried it, and it worked!! Nothing came of it! I've tested this 2 or 3 times since, and can happily report its still working! I'm so happy to have found something that works.
Urine
Posted by Fiona (Ilford, Essex, England) on 10/22/2011
★★★★★
I found urine a very effective treatment for cold sores and also mouth ulcers too. Just dab the urine on the cold sore and for the mouth ulcers, swill the urine around your mouth then spit out. The relief is impressively quick.
