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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ec6270 (Marathon, Fl, Us) on 07/18/2011
★★★★★
Another thumbs up for ACV - started to feel the tingle of fever blister and applied ACV on a cotton pad. Did this for 5 or 10 minutes a twice a day for two days. While there was a small, unnoticable eruption, there was nothing like the usual cycle of blistering and then 5-7 recovery/drying out.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Gilliansage (Rowlett, Texas, United States) on 07/10/2011
★★★★★
I have tried everything, from Abreva, to prescriptions, to Herpecin. Mine get down right nasty, one time I had one about the size of a quarter on my upper lip. I than did some research and discovered Oregano Oil. It has to be the pure oil. I got it online from a specialty shop. I take a q-tip and apply it when the bumps and the tingling starts. It burns to the core, I also take lysine in pill form. I have found that too much Arginine which in is nuts aggrivates the cold sore. Make sure it is pure and not diluted. Also be very careful as it is strong as all out. I also add a drop or two to a glass of oj. Oh it's not easy to drink, but I find that when I have a cold sore, I also have a lymph node swell in my neck and my ulcer starts acting up. I take the Oregano to kill off any other infections I might have going on.
Apple Slices, Aloe Vera Cream
Posted by Chuckles (Auckland, New Zealand) on 07/07/2011
Hi, its chuckles again. I just wanted to add that you don't need to carry around sliced apples in your little container. Just carry an apple, and wrap it in that clingy clearwrap stuff. You just need to take a little vegetable knife (with a short blade about 3 inches long) into your container, to slice the apple slices when you need them. If you don't use the apple for a week, well you can eat it as a treat for not having a cold sore that week, haha. But seriously, always have apples around the house in a bowl or in the fridge. If you don't always have them, go to the supermarket or vegetable shop if you feel that tingle coming on, and buy just a single apple. That one apple has so much goodness in it, view it as if it were gold. The apple will keep for at least two weeks if it is fresh. I kept my apple for a week, and just sliced it when I needed it again. Wrap it in clingwrap after you have cut slices from it. Don't keep it any longer than 10 ten days, just eat it, haha. So into your little kit of cold sore tools, put a little vegetable knife, an apple wrapped in clingwrap, baby wipes that have aloe vera, tissues for wiping skin, and cream with aloe vera in it. Oh by the way, all of us cold sore sufferers know how infectious a cold sore can be, so take special care to keep your fingers and hands clean and dry when treating your tingling skin.
SO JUST TO RECAP ON HOW TO TREAT YOUR TINGLING SKIN THAT SIGNALS THE ONSET OF A COLD SORE: Slice a small wedge of apple from your apple, and place it on the tingly area of your skin. Hold it there for a few seconds. With your fingers, take a unused piece of your apple slice and place it on the tingling area. Hold it there for a minute. Again, find another unused part of your apple slice and place it on the tingling area and hold it there. Do this again until you have used all the unused parts of your apple slice - hold it on the tingling area. You only need this one apple slice to do this first bit. It is amazing! This should take only five minutes or so. Take a baby wipe and wipe the area clean. Then pat this area dry with a few tissues. Apply a small amount of the cream to the area. Use the baby wipes to wipe your hands and fingers after treating your tingling skin. Dry your hands with clean tissues and that is all you need to do. Re-wrap your apple in the clingwrap and wipe the vege knife with a babywipe and dry off with a tissue. Put these back into your little kit with the cream, tissues and baby wipes. You will be amazed at the results in a few hours time.
Treat your cold sore regime as if you had asthma. Most asthmatics have a regime that they follow to manage their asthma, and cold sore sufferers must do the same thing. I did this before I went to bed. When I woke up there was no cold sore, and the same thing happened a week later when I had that tingling feeling. The key is to start your regime as soon as you feel the tingling. As you can see, there is very little effort involved. Just vigilance and having all of your cold sore kit on hand for the next outbreak. I must also say that I do not know how this regime would work on full blown cold sores. Someone may want to try this method to see if it works on full blown cold sores, but if you use this method as soon as you feel that tingling sensation, you shouldnt be bothered by those nasty cold sores again. Kind regards, Chuckles
Apple Slices, Aloe Vera Cream
Posted by Chuckles (Auckland, New Zealand) on 07/06/2011
★★★★★
Apples for cold sores. I just wanted to share this with folks. I have suffered from cold sores since a child and I am in my 50s now. I have had that tingle happen under my skin for so many years, I just know I only have a few minutes to get something to stop the onset of sores. I had an apple on my table and cut a small slice from it in a disc shape. I placed the piece on the tingle and held it there for about five minutes. I was careful not to use the same spot of the apple slice on the tingle. I moved it around until I had used every little inch of the apple slice. I then used a baby wipes that had aloe vera in it, and then patted it dry with paper tissue. I then applied a store bought cream (it cost me $14) that had aloe vera in it.
I repeated this procedure if I still felt the tingle was still there, but by the second slice of apple and then wiping with tissue and applying cream, the tingle had already begun to subside. To my amazement, it never went beyond the tingle. I did this before I went to bed, and when I woke there was no tingle, and no cold sore. I was so amazed and overjoyed, I wondered if it was just a coincidence.
About a week later, I felt that familiar tingle again, so I grabbed another apple (I had eaten the rest of the first one) and did the same little cold sore thing. And again, the tingle stopped. I am so amazed that it was as simple as that. For over 45 years I have suffered with these cold sores and this is the ONLY TIME that I have had them disappear without going beyond a the tingle stage. So now I have a little kit for my cold sore treatment which I carry with me in the car or in my bag. I have an apple (buy a bag of them while you are at it, ha ha), a box of tissues, some baby wipes with aloe vera in it and any cream with aloe vera in it. I have oily skin so I have moisturising cream with aloe vera in it. When you cut a slice of apple, it need not be a big chunky piece. I cut mine thin enough to hold with my fingers and it need not be a huge slice. If you cut a big hunk, you will waste the rest of the precious apple in that chunk. Slice only enough to use like a wedge to cover the tingle area. I put these in a plastic container with a lid on it, so that I carry them with me everywhere, in the car or in my bag, because you never know when a tingle will start.
I have a lot of stress in my life at times and this is when the tingle starts. You can even do this while you are on the bus - discreetly of course. I think there is some merit in apple cider juice and apples in general. I have spent years buying creams and gels to no avail. I have scars on my face from cold sores so I am trialing a procedure using Vit E caps and Multi vitamins with minerals capsules, and also Cod Liver Oil Caps.
I will keep you posted and let you know how I am getting on with treating the very visible cold sore scars that have ruined my face (in my opinion) and made me feel at times like a recluse. Please try it, it is so simple, it makes me want to run and tell everyone about it, but of course, only sufferers like you and me know what it is truly like. So cheer up and go and try it, and be amazed. By the way, stress always brings on my cold sores, and low Vit C intake. I do know that these trigger them and my doctor is forever telling me to chill out and eat more fruit, ha ha. So I hope you find some success with this treatment. Regards Chuckles
Rubbing Alcohol, Vitamin C
Posted by Mollyonmaui (Kihei, Maui, Hawaii) on 07/05/2011
★★★★★
Aloha, I love your site! Many people here use acetone, for cold sores, but I never have. Instead, I use rubbing alcohol as SOON as I feel the tingling/swelling. I apply it using a qtip or a cotton ball, and it almost immediately stops the swelling. Apply at least once an hour for the first day. I also use tea tree oil, lavender oil, and oregano oil - usually diluted in rubbing alcohol. This combination usually prevents a blister from ever forming, but you have to keep on it. This allows me to keep working and interacting with the outside world without embarassment.
Vitamin C taken in massive quantities is also crucial - I think the dip in my immune system that happens after a few weeks of not enough sleep and too much stress is what triggers an outbreak. I used to get four outbreaks a year - since I started using rubbing alcohol and vitamin c, it's down to one every year, often one every two years. This is also because I'm very proactive - if I notice that I'm feeling tired on a regular basis, I start taking Vitamin C to protect my health. It's really helped, and makes the outbreaks, if they come at all, much smaller and much more manageable.
General Feedback
Posted by Amaria (Oakland, Ca) on 07/03/2011
With herpies, unfortunately, even if you do not feel the symptoms I understand that the virus can still "shed."
This is especially important for a pregnant woman who actively has the virus at the time of delivery... The baby passing through the birth canal, I. E. , natural birth, can result in blindness and other horrific health problems for the baby.
As much as I wanted and planned to have a natural birth I opted to have a "C" section in order to insure that the virus didn't adversely affect my babies health... no regrets...
General Feedback
Posted by Daisy (Sf, Ca) on 06/29/2011
This is for Morganism54 from Granite Bay, California who said: "Just want to make it clear to everyone you can't get rid of herpes.... It goes into dormancy or recede into the skin to the original place of infection... " My question is: if herpes outbreaks happen at the place of infection, why does he state that "genital herpes tends to habitate at the base of the spine"? Thanks to all who can enlighten me on this.
Avoid Citric Acid
Posted by Kangroo (Chicago, Il) on 06/28/2011
Definitely! I have had the same experience with orange juice and cranberry juice. They definitely cause more outbreaks.
Use Campho-Phenique (walgreens) all around your lip every four hours during the day and before sleeping to stop outbreaks there. Then, for when blisters may appear ON your lip, pour some 3% hydrogen peroxide (walgreens) in a tablespoon and soak the blisters in it for 10 minutes every half hour until you notice shrinkage in the blisters. Visually inspect the blisters every half hour, if they seem to be growing, soak in the 3% solution again for 15 minutes, but if they have stopped growing, soak again in the solution for 10 minutes every 2 or 3 hours. This should help kill the blisters that are ON your lip in about 24 hours. The blisters that appear ON your lip (the purple area) are the hardest one to treat, but with practice you will get better and better at it and pretty soon you'll get the situation under control.
General Feedback
Posted by Chris (Tucson, Az) on 06/24/2011
Well, there are some who claim they have. That's worth nothing I know, but it is a claim. Have you heard of the zapper by Dr. Hulda? I've heard that works.
General Feedback
Posted by Morganism54 (Granite Bay, California) on 06/21/2011
Just want to make it clear to everyone you can't get rid of herpes. Some of the language used to explain treatments made it seem like you could "kill the virus" which you can't you can't only cause it to go into dormancy or recede into the skin to the original place of infection genital herpes tends to habitate at the base of the spin and you can often tell when an outbreak will occur by a tinge or tingle of pain in that region. Just FYI because a few people I have talked to seemed to be under the impression that certain herbal remedies can cure you of HSV which is not the case.
Avoid Citric Acid
Posted by Kingkevin (Macomb, Illinois) on 06/20/2011
Thanks definitely going to give it a try. I drink TONS of mt. Dew on a daily basis, it's practically what I live on. I've concluded it IS something I do on a daily basis considering since I was infected six months ago nearly not one week has gone by that I haven't got one. I absolutely am the most vein person in the world, and am not at a job I can just continuously take time off. I've considered quitting my job over the situation, which would leave NO way to pay bills... But it's that bad I consider it almost evey day. Fortunately I'm with the woman I'm going to marry, but it's still unsettling. I seriously am breaking down. As soon as the excitement of confidence is coming back because one healed, another pops up. I can't take it much more! Thanks for your info...
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
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Becca (Lb, Ca) on 05/31/2011
hi, I was wondering what the exact dosage and regiment you used? how may drop you started with, the grade and how much water you mixed with?
Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic, Ice
Posted by Butterfly (Singapore) on 05/10/2011
★★★★★
I recently got a tingling sensation on my lips. I was sure it is an onset of cold sore. I searched earthclinic and found various remedies including ACV, Ice and garlic. I soaked a cotton ball in ACV and place it on the cold sore. Later, I sliced garlic and rub it slowly. I stinged a lot, but it was worth. I also applied ice and numb the affected area. The next morning, I found no trace of cold sore, but only a little swelling.
Thank You Earth Clinic for saving me from so much of embarrassment.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gavin (Manganui, Northland, New Zealand) on 05/10/2011
Hi re aple cider vinegar and cold sores.. If you feel one starting to bubble up, just dab some ACV on it. It then just collapses.. somehow the vinegar goes in and kills the virus.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Bill (Boston, Ma, USA) on 05/10/2011
Hi- I love your website!
I have a question regarding the use of apple cider vinegar. Sadly, I also suffer from cold sores, which are brought on by (usually), stress and coffee. To combat them, I try to maintain an alkaline system (i.e. , no acidic foods or drinks), which are known triggers for cold sores.
My question is if you know of any correlation between consuming ACV and the occurance of cold sores. I have been practicing an acid-free diet for a while, with success, and fear the ACV will disrupt this.
Thanks again!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Jr (Jeffersonville, In) on 05/09/2011
I used hydrogen peroxide after reading about it here. worked for me too!!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Belvedresi7 (Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Usa) on 05/04/2011
★★★★★
Hydrogen peroxide works! Do this now: Sterilize a safety pin and poke a hole right in the middle of the sore, put hydrogen peroxide on lip multiple times (you will be able to feel it tingle in the sore), then the sore will dry out and you can squeeze the pus stuff out. When you see what comes out, you will know why it hurts so bad. You have to get that stuff out. Do this every day until you get it all out. It took me three days. It feels wonderful after having a swollen lip for a week. Relief!
L-Lysine and Vitamin C
Posted by Merryanne (Orange City, Florida, Usa) on 05/04/2011 113 posts
It is true that L-Lysine kills viruses, it has saved me several times from severe colds that would have put me in the bed for at least a week, but I do not want to miss that much time off my job. I am 64yo so it can be hard on me. I also take lysine 2000 mg every 4 hours as long as I am up, and the next day, as long as I have any symptoms, sometimes I do get very congestd, but not so that I have to miss work. If I had any permanet virus I would take it every 4 hours, 4 times a day for a few months and see if I could get totally free of that bug, but that is just me... I do have faith in lysine, the last cold I had, it started with a tickle in my thorat. I started with the lysine, the next day I was still sick.. I kept up with the lysine, then it was gone in two days, no coughing, no drainge, if not for the lysine I would have been down for a long time. And I did take some C 2000mg a day... For children under 60 pounds, I have given 250mg every 4 hours. Merryanne in Central FL
L-Lysine and Vitamin C
Posted by Mike (San Jose, Ca) on 05/04/2011
★★★★★
Back in the mid 80's my girlfriend at that time saw me breaking out on my upper lip. She instantly told me about Lysine and vitamin C.
I've been taking Lysine and vitamin C since then, and have stopped outbreaks about 70% of the time. When I do have an outbreak, usually on my upper lip, Lysine and vitamin C shorten the active period and make the healing much faster. I don't use any skin treatment as the herpes is causing the breakout from within the skin.
I've experimented over the years with taking only one or the other and they don't work nearly as well apart.
When I feel an outbreak coming on, I take 2000mg Lysine and 1000mg of chewable vitamin C with each meal. Works reliably and quickly for 25 years now.
Acetone
Posted by Lisa (Congers, Ny) on 04/28/2011
★★★★★
I've had herpes since I was 20. I though my life was going to end. I started on Valtrex and soon realized that when I would take it, I seemed to have an outbreak every other month. When I didn't take it, I would have an outbreak maybe once a year. I found staying healthy, eating plenty of foods rich in antioxidents and staying away from stress is the best therapy for me.
Alkalize, Coconut Oil, Trace Minerals
Posted by Electrum (Salt Lake City, Ut, Us) on 04/20/2011
hi I'm new to this site and I noticed you mentioned alkalizing the body to prevent cancer, etc. An acquaintance told me that simply ingesting a baking soda and water solution is a good way to do this. I lost touch with him and do not have the recipe anymore but there is a wealth of knowledge online about baking soda cures.
I'm trying to find a cure/preventative measure for cold sores too and I'd be interested to know if baking soda can do this since one way to combat cold sores is to lower your acidic levels.
Alkalize, Coconut Oil, Trace Minerals
Posted by Letsbeatthis (Eatontown, Nj/ United States) on 04/15/2011
Coral Calcium comes from our Coral reefs. If you know anything about Coral Reefs in our Oceans, you will know and understand that we should not be destroying them to make Coral Calcium. There is an Alternative that is basically the same thing which comes from Salt Lakes rather than the Ocean, destroying our Coral Reef. The Alternative is Trace Mineral Drops. It is also Certified Vegan and Gluten Free. I am in no way, shape, or form stating that this is a cure. I am strictly stating that this is an alternative to Coral Calcium. I recently contracted HSV2 unfortunately, so like you I am looking for a natural/ holistic cure, so I am trying different things as well.
I am also trying the Virgin Coconut Oil solution as mentioned in the 07/04/2007 Peter from New Zealand post. 1. Warming the Virgin Coconut Oil slightly and dabbing it onto the Herpes themselves. 2. Warming Virgin Coconut Oil slightly and adding a teaspoon to a glass of water 3 times a day in regular intervals.
The third solution I am trying is Alkalizing my body... Over the years I have heard lots of great things about Alkalizing the body. How Cancer cannot survive in an Alkalized enviornment as well as tons of other ailments. Feel free to type your Ailment along with the word Alkalize into Google or whichever search engine you choose, and you will be suprised to read what pops up. Just beware of products for sale.... You can also view lists of foods that are Acidic, Alkaline or somewhere in the middle as well by simply typing Acid/ Alkaline Food List. There are many, I notice some vary a bit as far as how many foods each one lists. I purchased PH strips, which you can either wet with saliva or in the urine stream. I though I was a healthy eater, apparently not healthy enough. My PH level was at a 5.5 where 7 is balanced, above 7 is Alkaline and below 7 is Acidic. Don't be suprised if you have to cut out habits such as wine, coffee, and or cigarettes to achieve your goal. Taking Trace Mineral Drops is just one step toward Alkalizing my body, since I don't know of other ways to intake minerals which our bodies need. Let's pray, one of these solutions are a cure. I'll do anything I can to keep from taking medication.
Food is our Medicine and Medicine is our Food. ;) I love the power of the internet. Any Feedback is greatly appreciated.
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.
Turmeric
Posted by Going_28 (East Norriton, Pa, Usa) on 04/05/2011
★★★★★
I have been able to successfully suppress genital herpes outbreaks indefinitely with two daily doses (morning and night) of 3-4 300mg turmeric capsules per dose. So 3 or 4 in the morning, then 3 or 4 again at night. Without taking turmeric (or anything else to fight it), I'd break out everyday with full symptoms.
L-Lysine
Posted by L (New York, New York, Usa) on 03/29/2011
★★★★★
I have found that taking large doses of L-lysine as SOON as the cold sore begins to develop will cause it to never develop... Or if it does, it won't be noticeable, and won't last more than a couple of days. I have recently undergone a period where I have fought off about 4 cold sores in about a month. It has been absolutely terrible, however, I have gotten to the point where I am pretty sure I have come up with a foolproof prevention and treatment method.
First of all, STRESS and DIET are the two main culprits of these sores. Any diet high in Arginine combined with unusually high levels of stress, little sleep, or menstration will definitely make it hard for the body to fight off cold sores. I have found that I MUST completely eliminate coffee, any form of nuts (including peanut butter), oatmeal, and soft drinks in order to prevent these suckers from appearing. Chocolate intake also needs to be monitored. All 4 times that I have gotten these sores, I had had unusually high levels of stress and had a ton of coffee/soft drinks. I don't know if it is the caffeine or coffee itself, but I do know this must be avoided altogether for me.
Taking L-Lysine each day is NOT suggested, since your body will become immune to it, and it won't be as effective taking it when a cold sore does appear. However, making sure to eat foods with Lysine everyday if you are a frequent sufferer is essential. Yogurt (with live cultures) is wonderful as far as lysine counts are concerned. I have started to include yogurt in my daily diet , and other dairy products such as cheeses and milk, since these are all wonderful foods rich in lysine. Also, most vegetables are excellent as well.
Despite all these precautions, sometimes the suckers still appear, and treatment is vital in getting rid of them quicker. I use a combination of abreva (as soon as it first appears), hand sanitizer (especially if the blister is very tiny... I will pop it and IMMEDIATELY apply hand sanitizer to kill the germs... And make sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterward.. This seems to be effective), as well as nail polish remover to dry it up. The bigger the sore gets however, the less you should touch it. Definitely do not pop it if it is huge, since this will only spread germs. The best method for a huge sore is to dry it out, so nail polish remover is best. Also application of honey, beeswax, and hot tea bags have all seemed to relieve it, though I am not sure if those actually HEAL the sore.
On top of these topical applications, I also take LARGE doses of lysine (about 1000 every few hours), as well as Vitamin C. I believe this is honestly the most crucial part of the whole treatment. Make sure your diet is completely free of arginine when the sore is developing... Otherwise it might get pretty nasty. Arginine is prevolent in coffee, chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, coconut, oatmeal, wheat (meaning bread and beer needs to be avoided!! ), jello, brown rice, beans, and lentils.
Eating a lot of licorice also has seemed to help me a ton(make sure the licorice you buy contains real licorice extract... the artificial stuff won't help).
This is a lot... But this is my method of prevention and treatment that seems to work quite nicely. Hope this helps someone!!
Vodka, Tea Tree Oil, Acne Cream
Posted by Kathleen (Virginia, Us) on 03/28/2011
★★★★★
The first moment you feel the itching/tingling sensation clean the whole area around your mouth with vodka/grain alcohol, after that rub tea tree oil on the areas that feel tingly/itchy. Let this dry, and then you will take acne cream the one with (10) in the name containing benzoyl peroxide, apply this carefully to the spot(s) with a q-tip. Try to keep the dots very small as the cream will dry out all skin and cause peeling. This has been truly magical for me!! If you catch it before there is any visible sign of a sore, it stops them from ever appearing. Repeat throughout the day, keep area very clean with alcohol and tea tree, use new cotton balls/q-tips/pads for each application, be careful not to touch anything, so as not to contaminate or spread infection to new spots.
Have been doing this for many years now, with great success! If you catch it when blisters are visible this will greatly help with speeding healing and preventing new sores. Good luck to all! This is such a great site, have used many of the remedies with success, and try to pass info on to all. Thank you everone so much!
Acetone
Posted by Suzy (Houston, Tx) on 03/17/2011
I have tried prescirption creams and cold sore over the counter drugs which have NOT worked for me at all. Also the ice cube thing made a blister I had worse, so that's out of the picture as well.
I hear that vinegar is GREAT! Like a bag of salt and vinegar potato chips =)
Once more, clear nail polish and nail polish remover worked best for me. After I slept over ight with clear nail polish, then cleaned it off the next morning with nail polish remover, I also repeatedly applied a pimple cream which consists of a gel: 10% benzoyl peroxide gel that helps keep it dried up and moisturized at the same time.
I also used a scar cream after the blister dried up to help it heal nicely without scar or redness.
Acetone
Posted by Suzy (Houston, Tx) on 03/17/2011
As far as the warning in reference to Acetone mentioned below, getting cancer is the least of my worries. It would seem that there are several things out there that cause cancer these days!!! As far as Acetone coming in contact with your skin, it does the same when you use it to remove nail polish! So what's the difference? We come in contact with cleaning solutions, dyes, pollution everyday. I personally do not worry about that, but rather have faith over the situation and I am thankful people have discovered and shared this remedy with others. I am more concerned with consuming artificial sweeteners than applying a dab of nail polish (remover) on my skin which is already doing something due to a *virus (Herpes)! * It would seem that treating the virus (cold sore) is the main thing as it has already formed or is about too. It's like treating a mole; the treatment would first interact or come into contact with the mole before it gets to the layer of your skin. That layer of skin is already going through something, and I have been through many trial periods using many different products and I have to say that
CLEAR NAIL POLISH and
ACETONE combined worked best for me! Sometimes you don't get the tingling feeling; you just start to see it coming. So as soon as I see or felt it, I washed the area with antibacterial soap, dabbed some *
astringent* (which works wonderfully as well because it dries it out! ), the painted over the area with clear nail polish. I left it on overnight. The next morning I removed the clear nail polish with nail polish remover. It freaked me out at first because I thought maybe I burned my skin as I was removing the clear layer, but in reality it dried the blister out completely and prevented it from growing! So I didn't have to apply nail polish remover repeatedly like many others have suggested. I suppose if you are in a situation where you are not home, applying clear nail polish does dry up and is noticeable so perhaps continuously applying remover throughout the day until you are alone might be your solution. I also use the Lysine cream, but it doesn't always work for me. My friend says as soon as she feels the tingling she applies the Lysine cream and it goes away. That isn't 'always' the case for me, but I know it does work at times. The main thing is to DRY OUT the cold sore blister until it scabs or goes away!
AVOID creams (except lysine for some), Peanuts, caffeine, cigarette (smoke! ), AND SUGAR!!! YES, it is correct that sugar (including chocolate) can cause a breakout. I was going through a period where I was craving and eating alot of sugar/sweets which I normally don't do, and I was getting blisters back to back. So I had to cut that out. Also I have noticed that tanning beds can trigger a breakout! If you must go like me, clean the pillow and bed with a disinfectant before lying down. Avoid putting lotion on your face and
avoid higher level tanning beds with harsh face tanners. Better to just stick with the "level 1. " I also buy this realllly thick chapstick and cover my nose and once affected areas with it to avoid blisters. Then when I get out, I wipe my face with sanitizer.
Hand sanitizer is another thing that helps dry out cold sores.
Taking vitamins and supplements such as L-Lysine, Selenium, Milk Thistle, Grape Seed (Resveratrol), Echinacea, Honey (contains anti-viral properties), Coconut Oil, etc. Also helps prevent cold sores. Anything containing (bio)flavanoids or things which help your nervous system, (maintain) cell growth, or contain anti-viral agents (since cold sores are apparently caused by the Herpes "virus") I have learned are very beneficial. Exercise is important too, as a stress reliever, it helps calm your nerves and prevent cold sores. I eat a 1-2 spoons full of honey a day and it appears to be working for me, along with exercise, vitamins, and cut out sugar. They say to buy local
honey, as it helps ur immune system build a tolerance against the things in your local area (pollen, etc. ). So you could check online for local honey in your area.
With this being said, everyone is different and it took some experimentation, trial periods, and research in order for me to find what works best with my body. I have read that some have gotten chemical burns (inside mouth). I do not recommend putting anything in your mouth except vitamins, garlic, honey, or coconut oil. I think perhaps even cayenne pepper may work for internal sores which I do not and have not ever had. Although cayenne pepper does treat strep throat I have learned, so it's worth a try! Also, if you have sensitive skin, then try not to apply too much of anything to prevent burn.
Acetone
Posted by Girlie Girl (Unknown, Pa) on 03/06/2011
★★★★★
Yes, it works! I had a fever blister pop out last week and I stayed in the house for 5 days. I missed work 3 of those days. I read about the acetone at that time, but was a little afraid to try it out. Soon as my blister was healed and I was ready to get back to my life again.... Another very small one started to appear. I was very upset because I missed so much time from work already, I felt I had to try the acetone treatment. I applied with a Q-tip, held it on for 10-30 sec's. I did that for most of the day and this morning it is completely dried out.
To help avoid them take lysine & Vitamin C. Go to Herpe Nutrution website to find out what things are good to eat and have Lysine in them. I hadn't had one in 4 years until I ate Pumkin Seeds... Stay away from these... I hope this helps...
Blood Electrification and Colloidal Silver
Posted by Djproto16 (Kirkland, Wa, Usa) on 02/18/2011
Has anyone use a blood electrification unit and colloidal silver which are apart of Dr. Bob Becks protocol? I will soon be starting the use of blood electrification and colloidal silver for my type 1 herpes. Hopefully I can learn some information from others who may experiment with these remedies and if not... I will happily fill you in on what my experiments conclude. There is alot of talk about colloidal silver and blood electrification, but im one of the people who will walk the walk for myself.
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!
