Replied By Mike (Denver Area, Colorado) on 08/25/2010
I just wanted to thank you guys for giving me this tip on acetone. I was extremely skeptical but my last breakout terrible. When I saw a situation developing on my lip this time I freaked out and knew drastic action was gonna be required or I was gonna be out of commission for a month like last year. No good. Usually what happens is I get one herpes and then all h*ll breaks loose. My entire chin and lips get covered within 3 days. And inside my mouth as well... It's very bad. This time I read this thread and took immediate action. I took a cotton (make up remover disc) and put acetone on it. I then held it directly on the infected area. I did this several times per day (5 to 10 times) until it was gone. Here's the thing. My chin and lips were "ready" to have a major breakout but I kept dabbing the acetone anywhere I thought something was about to happen throughout the day... I highly recommend that because it saved me MUCH embarassment. Inside my mouth was terrible but the more vitamin C I took the more relief I got. Not a noticeable difference with Lysine. One note, as soon as you even think you have something developing on your face, dab it with acetone. And you know a difference between a pimple and a "cold sore". Thanks again everyone!Replied By Thenewguyintown (Westwood, New Jersey, Usa) on 08/25/2010
Glad to hear that the Acetone worked out for you and many others on this site, I did have a concern though... Has anyone considered the toxic effects that acetone may have on you longterm ? Granted you only get outbreaks once a year or so, but for some others whom may tend to use it more often, this may be a concern. Either way, glad it worked for you and keep that diet in check and you should be fine.Replied By Piper (Toronto, On) on 09/29/2010
I usually apply hydrogen peroxide, but I thought I would check out what other people do for cold sores. Mine look like monster pimples on my face. Tried nail polish and it does work slightly better than peroxide for me. I also put zinc cream (diaper rash cream) on at night which speeds the healing. I use the brand that has the highest zinc content (37%).Replied By Anita (Ny) on 09/30/2010
Acetone and oil of oregeno (I guess I didn't dilute enough) burnt my skin. Though I did stop two different sores (about two weeks apart in two different locations) with Ice (2 cubes in baggie), then swabbed with h2o2, pat excess off with tp, applied ear wax (I have little inside the ear but rubbed my finger in the crease behind ear where it attaches to head) 3 times a day. Also took Lysine and Vit. C (1 g each) 3-5 times a day. The two small blisters never multiplied or grew. They just dried into little scabs the size of a pinhead. I also have been taking about 1-2 Tbps of soy lecithin with breakfast for about 3 months so I don't know if this has been helping as well. Good Luck!