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.
Acetone
Posted by Ads (Atlanta, Ga) on 12/18/2011
★★★★★
I had a cold sore pop up on Friday and I had a Christmas party that night so I started freaking out! I read about acetone so I started putting it on that day and it never got swollen at all. The next day the blisters had dried almost completely. And on Sunday it had completely dissolved. Acetone is amazing!
Acetone
Posted by Anjoyla (Cincinnati, Ohio) on 12/17/2011
★★★★★
Have to say after trying over the counter things, muipricin, benzoil peroxide, peroxide, alcohol, salt water, and over the counter cold sore treatments for the past week nothing has worked. I came on line this morning and I saw people trying nail polish remover. I was willing to try it anything to get rid of this. I have had to take pain relievers where the pain of this was outrageous and even they didn't work. I have covered the sore with a bandaid it didn't work. This is the first sign of relief in over a week.
I get these cold sores everytime I try to wear lipstick or lip balm if it's not made of lysine never again. For my birthday for pictures I put lipstick on not thinking it would create a huge problem- it did. So now I am trying to get rid of this before Christmas. These are miserable and embarrassing so I am giving this a try and if it works then I am sticking to it.
Avoid Caffeine
Posted by Stephanie (Bendigo, Australia) on 12/15/2011
I have suffered coldsores since I was 2 months old. I have found that I can greatly reduce the frequency of them if I totally avoid Oranges. I recently discovered that if I eat even the smallest hint of orange I WILL the next day have 1 to 6 coldsores around my mouth.
When I spoke to my doctor about this he told me it was a food allergy. Like how some people have anaphylaxis over nuts, I have coldsores from oranges. I don't only have cold sores from oranges but I also get them before I get sick, when I am sick, when I am tired and when I am stressed. I find overdosing on lysine can help as well as applying peppermint oil or this foreign cream called Yeao Paya Brand Balm that my uncle brought over from Thailand (I think). (it contains camphor, cinnamon oil, menthol, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil and olive oil. ) I find this cream burns the skin around the coldsores and builds a thin scab where the coldsores is and stops the burning and itching as it kills it from the outside.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Anastazi (San Luis Obispo, Ca) on 12/14/2011
I have herpes simplex 1 on my genitalia and on my mouth and some have popped up randomly. Overall it has been mild but I too feel like it has stopped me from living my life fully the idea of never knowing when it's active for sure and the possiblity of transmitting it is terrifying to me. I tried to take the meds the clinic gave acyclovier.. Can't afford valtrex but it made unable to sleep or eat and I started feeling down right on the edge. My nervous system was shot. I stopped taking it and started taking l lysine, garic pills, but have noticed better luck with raw garic, vit c, echinechia/goldenseal, oxide coloidial silver the smallest particle form I ingest it in tincture form and I have a topical spray I use. I tried a salve of colloidal silver aloe and tea tree but I don't know how well any of it works yet. I've had this for going on three months and I have had three total breakouts but the recovery time has gotten alot better I know there are triggers: booze, sugar, coffee, choc- booze seems to be the worst. I want to cure this!! I have been reading about Zinc as a possible topical way to kill the virus if kept on continually during an outbreak. Has anyone had any luck with this?.. I am wondering if the coconut oil is best topical and ingested as with the apple cider vinegar?
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Anastazi (San Luis Obispo, Ca) on 12/14/2011
I have herpes symplex 1. I started having outbreaks a few months ago and have been struggling with reocurring mild outbreaks on my face and a few randoms I think I had one on my arm.. So far I use alba green clay mask when I feel the tingling start and it has stopped outbreaks and in the case of already formed bumps it has reduced then so significantly.. I just keep the clay dabbed on when there is tingling before I go out and all night or when im home. It cleared them in about 5 day and kept them from looking noticable.. This in conjunction with raw fresh garlic in every meal and vit c and lysine.. Hope the clay tip will be of some use I had heard white clay was the best to use but I tried the green since that's what I had and it was very helpful.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Alamont (Reno, Nevada) on 12/06/2011
★★★★★
I don't get cold sores often enough to realize what's happening until it's too late. I had dry lips one day and the next day awoke with a pea size sore on the outside of upper and lower lip. I immediately put Releev on as directed on the package for one day. The next day my lips were visably swollen and the cold sore quater-size. Plus, the sore now extended into my mouth. Everywhere I read online said once a cold sore moves inside your mouth you have to take anti-viral drugs to get rid of them. I wasn't about to do that. So I began gargling with hydrogen peroxide. It bubbled a lot, but I noticed no difference after one day so I began gargling with a solution I got in part from this site: 1oz warm filtered water, 3oz hydrogen peroxide, 1tbsp baking soda, 1tbsp sea salt, and two drops Lugols iodine. I also put the solution on a spoon and held it to my sore. I let the sore air dry, trying to keep my mouth open to dry out the sore inside my mouth too. Once it was dry, I dapped tea tree oil both inside and outside. I did this as often as I could throughout the day (maybe every 2 hours), as I still had to go to work. By the next day my swelling reduced and it felt like it was on the mend. By the 5th day, it was just a scab and in 7 days it was completely gone. I would have liked it to be gone sooner, but I feel like one week was a good healing time for such an intense cold sore.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Mari (Houston, Texas) on 12/02/2011
★★★★★
I used aloe vera for my cold sore once before and the swelling was gone and my sore was completely gone in 3 days.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Una1rose (Toronto, On, Canada) on 11/25/2011
★★★★★
Most importantly, I have learnt that if I stress out about herpes or anything, my sores are worse and occur more often.
I take 2000 mg L-Lysine when I get an outbreak or tingle. It can prevent them for a few days and sometimes I never develop them at all.
I avoid any foods with baking soda/powder, salt, sugar, yeast. These foods really stress out my immune system and make me more susecptable to breakouts. I eliminated them from my diet and now only break out 1-2 times a year at most. I'm a strict vegan as well which also helps my immune health.
My system for treating outbreaks:
I wash and then cover sore in Abreva. Then I cover with it with New Skin, a liquid bandage. It's nice and stress free. It tingles and smells like herbs and I don't have to worry about infecting others or other parts of my body.
Every morning and night I wash the sore and hold a cotton pad with a mixture of cold camomille tea, tea tree oil and rubbing alcohol on it for a minute or two. I then pat dry with a tissue and cover with New Skin. In a week, for sure, the sore will be completely gone.
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.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Andre (Phoenix, Az) on 11/11/2011
3 teaspoons a day regarding the Colloidal silver? How do you know this? Did you cure your herpes? If you don't mind me asking..
Ice
Posted by M (Ny) on 11/11/2011
★★★★★
I've used Abreva, Lysine cream and its ok but what has been the game changer is ICE! A cold sore is a fever blister, so it builds of heat. You fight the temp by reducing it, ICE it immediately. Also take advil or any fever reducer you have to calm your body temp down and relax! I got them back to back and on my big 30 birthday. I tried acetone but seemed to burn my skin and make it worse. I grabbed a glass of water, took advil and Lysine vitamins (doubled dosage) and iced my sore. Fell asleep watching a movie but the sore stopped, looked like pimple. kept icing it, I was fine next day.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Gavin (Manganui, Northland, New Zealand) on 11/11/2011
With regards to herpes, coconut oil fixes it by stripping the protective lipid coating on the virus. The Apple cider vinegar will collapse it at the tingling stage, as it forms, applied topicaly. It might even clear it out over time. Coconut oil is sure, but with ACV I guess with its coating stripped the ACV cleans it faster than the immune system. The dose is three teaspoons per day for a couple of months to clear the body of the virus. But it's nice in smoothies.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Herpes (Phoenix, Arizona) on 11/11/2011
I have been diagnosed with the Herpes Simplex Virus (type 1 & 2). Ever since then I have been devastated and trying to find a 'CURE' (not treatment) for it. After doing some research here is what I got so far. I'm taking VIT C, zinc, VIT A (nonfat soluble), and lysine every day to build up my immune system. A strong immune system is a must have, especially if someone is infected with this bs virus. I take the lysine every other day because I noticed some adverse effects coming from it. I did some research on colloidal silver and know it can kill the virus so I bought that. The only problem with that is the virus hides in your neurons so it's hard to reach it. I'm thinking if there is any way to bring out the virus then I made be able to kill it with the silver.
I heard of a herb that can maybe bring out the virus from hiding called Yakeow, it's a Thai natural herb or something like that. Another thing I came across was known as BHT, which disrupts the herpes virus's lipid membrane coating function. Another thing was coconut oil which kills the lipid membrane of the virus.
Another thing I came across was DSMO, so I know DSMO provides an oxidative effect on the applied area, so I was thinking since the herpes virus cannot survive in oxygenated areas, we apply that with the Yakeow (to help bring it out) to its hiding place. This is lower back area (lower spine). Plus DSMO allows penetration through your skin very easily so I was thinking to use that of getting to the virus. Maybe put some colloidal silver on that area too before applying the DSMO. Doctor even use it for their penetrating abilities. They say it hides around your lower spine, in the nerves. I would do that and eat only basic foods because this virus thrives in an acidic environment. Therefore, by lowering your body's pH you will disrupt the virus. Maybe get a pH drink or something, I hear they have those. I would get foods that have very little or no carbs because the herpes virus needs those to function. Obviously, stay away from foods that have carbs, chocolate and definitely sugar. I would use a 2% iodine skin patch on my skin to help fight this virus also. I would also order Astragalus which fights breakouts outs quickly. Astragalus, colloidal silver, and Dynamiclear are the best ways to fight a herpes breakout.
After doing all this, I think I may be able to CURE herpes once and for all! I was also maybe thinking, have a surgeon cut my back open at the area that it hides and apply colloidal silver, BHT, Coconut oil, and/or others maybe lysine to that area where its hiding. This thing is controlling my life. I know they say it's not that bad and whatever but for me it is! I have read many support articles and posts about it. I can't comfortably date or even talk to women anymore! The psychological distress is too much for me! I feel that I will never get over it. I had this for about 2 months now.
Please give me some comments people, I need help!! I am going to try this and will not give up until I cure this thing. If this is indeed a way to cure herpes, I am calling dibs and copywriting this so nobody try to steal it!
Here is my email, andre200923 (at) ymail (dot) com
Let me know what you guys think please!
Avoid Caffeine
Posted by Julie (Boston, Ma) on 11/07/2011
★★★★★
I agree, I gave up caffeine for a few months for other reasons and noticed I didn't have any cold sore breakouts.
Bleach
Posted by Stephanie (Calgary, Ab,canada) on 10/25/2011
★★★★★
Bleach is dangerous, but if it is applied properly I think it is an extremely effective way to stop a cold store dead in its track.
Use a little with a q tip and press it onto your cold sore for 3 - 5 minutes. Do this at the very first sign of a cold sore coming on and it WILL NOT come out, or grow to be worse. Be very careful not to burn yourself or your lip area. Allow for a little bit of stinging, but know what is too much. Compress with an ice cube after to get rid of the sting. I did this twice the first day I noticed one coming on, and along with Abreva and L-Lysine it was practically gone by day 2 and never got worse.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Lilly (Milwaukee, Wi) on 10/24/2011
Hello all... Just wanted to share my personal story with using fghp (food grade hydrogen peroxide 35%). First of all let me just say that I started the program and have fallen off a couple of times. I made it up to the 25 drops in distilled water 3times /day, and I continued that for about 10 days. I contracted hsv type 1 from a boyfriend through oral sex. I must say that my immune system at that point was very weak, I have also always battled with candida, and caught every cold my kids brought home. I have only had one outbreak and have been diagnosed for about 7months and I'm not sure if it is because of the fghp or not (which I started about about 2mo ago) but I must say it's done wonders for me. At first I wasn't sure what was wrong with me for 8 days of the program because I was eliminating large amounts of mucus. Around the 8th or 9th day I had so much energy I didn't know what to do with myself and I'm normally a person who can't get enough sleep. Around the 10th-11th day I developed a medium size blister (or could have been a herpe) I say blister because there was only one on my genital area and with my initial outbreak there were many. In general I noticed that my skin became clearer, as well as my thoughts. I firmly believe that all dis-ease starts with yeast then moves to fungi/mold... etc... As I stated earlier I go for testing next week where I will ask for a test that can measure viral count so at least if it's still in my system I have somewhere to measure from (because my 1st initial test was non-specific re:viral count).
Wish me luck! I will keep everyone posted if I still have the virus even if I don't I will be more religious about taking fghp. When I fell off the program I noticed a dramatic difference in my energy level and overall emotional state. I may also do a 10day green fast. I highly recommend reading works by a Dr. Robert O. Young who's theories are based on there being only one real disease which is over acidification of the body. Take care everyone and stay positive!
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.
Acetone
Posted by Jessica (Denver, Co/usa) on 10/17/2011
★★★★★
So I had my first GH outbreak in quite a while and this one was waaaay worse then they normally are. I decided to search around a bit and found this thread. I bought some nail polish remover with acetone last night, applied it to "the bump" which was easily the size of the marble (with no signs of giving up any time soon), let it dry and then put clear nail polish on it over night. The itching and pain was gone within 10 min. Woke up, showered, applied more acetone and then more clear nail polish, and now two hours later.... The skin is still not healed but the bump is GONE!!!! I would guess this event will be a nightmare of the past by tomorrow morning at the latest!! Absolutely recommend giving this method a try!!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Coldsorenomore (Phoenix, Arizona Usa) on 10/13/2011
★★★★★
This is a great site. I LOVE it!
About a year ago I decided to try Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) on a big and ugly cold sore. Having first learned about ACV as a child about 35 years ago and then getting a great education about it from Earth Clinic, the idea just clicked. I took a cotton ball and soaked up a good amount of ACV. I would lie down for about 15 minutes with the wet cotton ball on my lip directly over the cold sore. Sometimes I would apply slight pressure to make sure of good contact. I did this about 3 times per day. The cold sore was completely gone in 3 days. It usually takes 2 weeks, no matter if I apply other mainstream and alternative remedies.
I got another cold sore about 2 weeks ago. It was just coming on. Had to move quickly, because I work with the public. Thankfully, it was during the weekend. I searched my memory about what I had done last time and remembered ACV. I did the same as above, and it was gone in 1 day. No joke and no exaggeration.
The ACV gave me a light burning sensation my lips and not just on the cold sore. My lips peeled mildly for the next few days. I believe there is no harm, and I certainly prefer a little peeling to a big, ugly cold sore. One thing I am cautious about is to keep the ACV on the cotton ball from touching my front teeth to prevent enamel erosion.
I hope this works for you.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sam (Seattle, Wa) on 10/13/2011
★☆☆☆☆
I hadn't had and outbreak for years until I started messing with my PH with ACV. I'm not saying it is the cause, but it certainly didn't help. For dinner the night before I had shrimp, crawdads, fried catflish and cajun fries with Sierra Mist. That might have sucked out all my bicarbonate reserves.
Normally ACV alkanizes but the day the outbreak started and two days after, neither ACV or baking soda with water could get my PH to go above 5. I tried dabbing ACV on a developing sore and it didn't do a thing.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Sam (Seattle, Wa) on 10/13/2011
So far this seems to be the best method for open sores. Within minutes the peeled scab rebuilt itself. I've been waiting for the soft white and pink tissue to correct itself all day. It's now brown red. The developing spot seems unaffected though.
The other methods I used scabbed overnight but instead pushed the cold sore closer inside my mouth. It's like the virus figured out what I was doing and picked a new spot.
Acetone
Posted by Taylor (Albany, Ny) on 10/12/2011
★★★★★
Okay, I don't think I have ever written a comment on any of these sites before but I know how awful cold sores are and I wanted to tell you all that nail polish remover with acetone in it WORKED! I was so upset because I am a freshman at college, just got here a month ago, and already got a cold sore. I was too embarrassed to leave my room other than to get food. Thankfully (kind of... ) I have strep throat too, so not leaving the room wasn't that ridiculous. I got cotton swabs and Q-tips and put the nail polish remover on my sore for 5 hours and its all dried up! Its still not completely healed, but I only started when I woke up at 11, and it is 5:00 now. I haven't put any on in an hour but I will again soon. Thank you soooooooooo so soooooo much
Colloidal Silver, Coconut Oil
Posted by Sam (Seattle, Wa) on 10/09/2011
★★★★★
If you take monolaurin understand it will get worse before it gets better. It will erupt and scab over within 24 hrs. So it's not a remedy that will suppress the early stage for those who want to hide.
Once it erupts hydrogen peroxide will help exfoliate and bubble the skin. Acetone will help dry it up.
Make sure your colloidal product is made with deionized water not tap water so you are not ingesting large particles that isn't good for you, and is yellowish in color. I find that spraying the silver on the face kills the offending pathogen (virus/bateria) better, rather than ingesting.
General Feedback
Posted by Wendon (Bklyn, Ny) on 10/06/2011
Hi Ted, I have HSV1 and 2. I just started using baking soda and citric acid, stabilized oxygen and little coconut oil in warm water. How long do I use citric acid and baking soda for? Is it safe to use coconut oil, since I am concerned about blocked arteries. I do it twice a day. I also take FGHP every other day now since I do not want to mis too much stuff. I take 4 lecithin cap daily. Thanks alot! Just started 1st week october 2011.
Avoid Arginine
Posted by Barbiec1953 (Vienna, Virginia) on 10/05/2011
★★★★★
An imbalanced ratio of arginine: lysine will cause Herpes Simplex/Cold Sore/Fever Blister breakouts. Try to eat your arginine foods as little as possible... And stop them altogether as soon as you feel the tingling.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Anonymous (Bklyn, Ny) on 09/30/2011
I just discovered this site and living with herpes, I felt so alone and ashamed. Through this site, I was able to run to the health food store and have begun treatment, I believe can heal my condition. I have had a breakout in the private and was able to use FGHP to dry it up almost instanty. Thank you earth clinic.
Cha De Bugre
Posted by Anonymous (Bklyn, Ny) on 09/30/2011
Hi, I am in this same situation and after reading blogs, I have just begun to use neem (liquid), lecithin(capsule), stabilized oxyen and 4 dropd FGHP( 35% food grade hydrogen Peroxide) once daily. I will keep you posted. I do not get cold sores at all since I put Abreva daily on lips especially where there is always a feel that it would come up. I will keep you posted, but I am determined to kill this thing. I have done a full body clease and have changed my diet. The things I am using have claimed to heal some people. Will get tests next year if there is no signs of it.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Chauncey (Asbury Park, Nj) on 09/29/2011
I've never had a cold sore. Takes less then 2 weeks to heal but this time it took about 5. I felt a cold sore starting one day, I left it alone, it seemed to go away but once I shaved my face to have a night out and drank a snapple and the artificial sweetener irritated it and I felt it grow the whole night. The next morning I woke up an it was right in the center of my top lip. I was so pissed, but I remembered stress doesn't help so I took a couple deep breaths and tried to not let it get to me. I did research and I bought nail polish removal, hydrogen peroxide, vitamin c pills and neosporin overnight lip renewal cream. I took a vitamin c pill every morning.
Then every hour and a half I dipped a qtip in the peroxide then the acetone and dabbed it on the outbreak, until I was about to go to bed. Right before I went to bed I used a qtip to put the over night lip renewal cream and repeat. I also watched what I ate, I love greasy and spicy food. But this week I ate healthy and drank nothing but water. Other research I found was the L-lysine pills. I read stories of people not getting an outbreak for 15 years from taking vitamin c and l-lysine pills everyday. I just ordered them this week hopefully I'll never have a outbreak again. It's the most embarrassing thing to ever go through. I hope this post helps someone out there. Just know, you're not alone and don't stress it.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Anonymous (Bklyn, Ny, Usa) on 09/28/2011
Hi, I myself have become a victim of herpes. For three years I have been in denial until recently. I read Kevin Trudeau's book and bought larrea, plus his other recommendations except FGHP. I was talking to someone who uses it and then I became interested. I researched it online and got scared, but wanted this thing out of my body. I use Abreva on my lips daily and as a result, NEVER gets outbreak. On my Vajayjay, it comes once in a while. I used to be so depressed, until I came upon this site, earth clinic, and found a wealth of info. I recently started using the FGHP, after consulting a herbalist who told me to start with one drop in 8oz water until I get up to 25 and take 25 3x daily for one week. I got up to seven and was getting CONSTIPATED and had dark stool which freaked me out, so I took about a week off and went back to like 2 drops once or twice daily. I just bought lecithin and taking 4 capsules once daily plus liquid oxygen after someone claimed to be cured. I have stopped eating sugars and cut back on junk (which I did little off). By the way, has anyone been having weird dreams ahen they drink FGHP at nights and difficulty sleeping? It is bad. Can anyone send me blogs of folks who got cured and exactly what is used?
A few days ago I had an outbreak down there and poured boiled water plus purified water from store and added lots of FGHP in tub and I have to say it dissappeard by next day( I added little water and sat for a short while). I also was brave enough to put some FGHP on cotton ball and stuck it on OB for a while in underwear and lay in bed. It stung, but did the job. I have been boiling water instead of buying purified, is it the same? This blog has saved me. I feel there is hope out there. The FDA will not approve this natural stuff, because they will lose money. Thanks everyone. Thank you earth clinic.
Cha De Bugre
Posted by Bethany (Houlton, Me, United States) on 09/27/2011
★★★★★
I was looking up info online about the herb Cha de bugre, also called The Brazillian Energizer. I was surprised to read that it has been used for the treatment of herpes virus. I have had cold sores on my nose and lips several times a year since childhood. I am 43 years old. People who don't get cold sores can't always understand how embarassing and miserable it can make you feel. I bought a bottle of 500 mg capsules (Cordia salicfolia Cham) (10:1 concentrate) and have been taking them 1-3 times daily. This has really worked for me! I still also take lysine once or twice every day. I am very impressed with this supplement, although I don't notice it giving me much of an energizing effect, that's ok. It's also used for weight loss among other things. I will keep taking this every day and make sure I never run out of it. Thank you God for healing herbs and for Earth Clinic!
