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.
Baking Soda
Posted by Susan (USA)
★★★★★
Another excellent use for baking soda is for mouth ulcers and cold sores. Simply mix a teaspoon of baking soda with 100mls of water and use as a gargle. For cold sores use the same solution. Dab directly onto the cold sore using a cotton bud. Do this at least twice a day.
Tinactin (Foot Spray)
Posted by Wellington (Quincy, WA) on 01/14/2007
★★★★★
I used this product called "Tinactin" (its an athletes foot spray) I used it for 3 days morning and night .I sprayed it on and let it dry,(I used it because Tinactin has an anti itch medicine in it )after the 3rd day the blisters were gone and i have not had an out break for about 1 year.
Acetone
Posted by Jane (Boston, MA) on 11/21/2006
★★★★★
Acetone nail polish remover is fabulous for cold sores! If you can catch it just when there is the tingle but not quite a blister yet, it often never gets any bigger than a tiny blister and it disappears without ever reaching the scab or the even worse, 'scab off' stage. Sometimes I can tell it's going to be a doozy but I dab it whenever I think of it and it 's just so much better than I have ever experienced and each stage lasts only half the time.
Acetone
Posted by Maryann (Detroit) on 05/18/2006
★★★★★
I read on another site that nail polish remover works on cold sores so I tried it. With in two days it was gone. I put on the cold sore twice a day. I didn't have any of the usual scabbing either. So it was really great. Another thing that works really well is the amino acid L-Lysine. Before I found out about the nail polish remover I used to take L-Lysine alone which helped the reduce outbreak time. Next time I get a cold sore I probably will use both.
Acetone
Posted by Mysti (USA)
★★★★★
This was for oral herpes - I simply put acetone polish remover on it at night. When I wake up it's usually gone. It burns incredibly bad but hey, the sore is gone.
Acetone
Posted by Randy (Arizona City, Az) on 03/29/2008
★★★★★
This may sound strange, but when I feel a sore spot beginning to come on my lip, I take fingernail polish remover and dab it on the spot with my finger, 3-4 times a day. In many instances the eruption never happens... and if it does, it immediately starts drying up. I've taken care of my blisters for about 25 years this way with no adverse side effects. Works better than anything you can buy at the Drug Store!
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Debra (Philadelphia, PA) on 09/09/2006
★★★★★
Cold sores/fever blisters I've been suffering with this problem over & over for quite some time and wasn't having any luck with the OTC stuff or Valtrax for that matter. I tried the H2O2 on its own & mixed with a crushed up L-Lysine tab (took FOREVER to crush into powder) the last time this happened but this time it seemed to come back stronger than ever. In a true moment of desperation I put 3 drops of Tea Tree Oil (TTO) into a dixie cup full of H2O2 grabbed some q-tips and (one by one never re-using) applied it to the cold sore over and over and over and over. I pressed the q-tip up against it hard and massaged it in. I swabbed my lips with it and the inside of my mouth. This process took about an hour but by the time I stopped the cold sore had gone from itching, oozing & weeping to white "bubbles" to dry crust/scab. I think I may start using TTO, baking soda & H2O2 as my new toothpaste and baking soda w TTO as my new "soap"!
DMSO
Posted by Nancy (Iqaluit, Canada) on 04/24/2007
★★★★★
Hi there I just have to say that I have battled cold sore for my entire life since I was a very small child. These are embarassing and very sore. I found out about DMSO and purchased some. I put it on my lip as soon as I feel that tingling feeling that comes prior to an outbreak. Since using this product the cold sore does not become visable. I am thankful and recommend others who suffer to give it a try.
Hydrogen Peroxide and DMSO
Posted by Nancy (Phoenix, AZ)
★★★★★
I haven't tried this remedy yet but am and will keep you posted as soon as I find out the results...The remedy is DMSO and Hydrogen peroxide from a book called Never an Outbreak by William Fharel. This combo is supposed to kill the herpes virus in your body where it lays dormant ... so you NEVER break out again... I have had cold sores for years and those remedies with just the hydrogen peroxide or just some other remedy putting it on the cold sore and trying to stop the virus once it starts a break out doesn't work... I have tried everything there is but the DMSO and Hydrogen peroxide... According to the book, you will never get another break out again. That is a cure... not just getting rid of the lesions but the virus from your body totally...He also discusses that this also gets rid of the mole virus...yeah, I didn't know moles were viruses but I have them all over... Anyway, it is worth looking into... I welcome feedback from anyone who has done the DMSO and hydrogen peroxide therapy.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Alex (USA) on 04/17/2006
★★★★★
It works; I started using it with the early symptoms, like five times a day. It stopped it from coming out.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by T (Raleigh, North Carolina)
★★★★★
I found that using hydrogen peroxide to clean the affected area helped to speed up the healing process for cold sores. It stings, but after doing this for two days, my cold sore healed quickly!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Faith (Jamaica) on 10/15/2006
★★★★★
Just want to join in singing the praises of Hydrogen Peroxide (HP). I presented with vaginal ulcers. I call then that because even thought they looked like herpes i tested negative for the disease - so i really don't know what i had. However i visited your site and decided to try the HP topically to my genital bumps and.......almost immediate relief from the itching and soreness! and the bumps disappeared within three days or so. So i just wanted to add my little bit and thanks you for your great website! U can feel free to publish this on the site.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by AJ (Bamberg, SC)
★★★★★
I used to get outbreaks on my lip at least a couple times a year with an unsightly scab that lasted about a week. I went through a period where I got them once a month like clockwork and it gave me plenty of chances to try all the remedies. Here are things that DON'T work.... Lysine, Bleach, Lysol, Abreva.... Here is the one that works... As soon as there is a blister, poke it with a pin and drain it. Then soak a small tissue in Hydrogen Peroxide and hold the tissue in over the blister site for at least two hours. After doing this, I have only had 2 outbreaks in 5 years and both were kept so small, that they were not even visible to others and no scab to follow.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Leigh (Nogales, AZ)
★★★★★
I have had frequent outbreaks with herpes oral and genital for many years. Along with taking L-Lysine (1000 mg) daily, I dilute Tea-Tree oil in warm water and wet cotton balls with it and apply several times a day. This relieves the pain and itch. You can also use the diluted solution for a douche which also will relieve. Make sure you dilute 1 part tea tree oil to 3 parts water. Do not use directly or it will burn. Try it. It works!
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Jenny (Toronto)
★★★★★
I use organic tea tree oil on my lips when I get the beginnings of an outbreak and it is gone within 24-36 hours. (i apply 3-4x/day).
also, an acidic body will give you an outbreak quickly. Look into the acid alkaline balance. Cheese and coffee does it for me every time.
