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.
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.
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rea (Terrytown, Nj) on 12/22/2012
ACV is actually alkalizing.
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!
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!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by High Flyer (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) on 01/20/2011
I did the food grade h2o2 drops and it seemed to work, but I just could not stand the bleach taste. It felt like it was burning my throat. After reading the research on ozone, I decided to buy an ozone generator. The ozonated water is much better for me, no problem at all to drink 2 liters. The first 2 weeks I did this each day. My sinuses and ears were very sensitive. I was also very emotional. Since then I do this about 2 times a week. I have not had an outbreak in 8 months. I have had hsv for 20 years. This is incredible. I have gone on a 12 hour drinking spree, (wedding) played sports to exhaustion, and consumed chocolate at will. All these things would have guaranteed an outbreak in the past. I am not saying I'm cured, but this is the best I have ever been. I even supplement arginine now for the physical benefits. I have not been sick, even though I have been exposed to many who are this winter. I hope this helps someone, as I have tried many other remedies. The generator I bought was the air zone xt301. I have had no problems, but it costs a bit more.
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!
Ear Wax
Posted by Carl (Philadelphia, Pa Usa) on 01/21/2011
★★★★★
I was plagued by cold sores for years. They were usually brought on by certain foods or sunburned lips. I read about using earwax on this site, and after trying all of the other remedies, which did not work for me, I resorted to earwax. It has been a miracle curee for me. I have been able to eat citrus fruit again. I sometimes eat three or four oranges a day when they are good. Before one orange would cause an outbreak. Thank you, everyone at this site.
Acetone
Posted by Jlrc (Buffalo, New York) on 01/02/2011
★★★★★
Opened my eyes on New Year's Day 2011 to find a large cold sore forming under my nose. AHHH, the horror. It was already bubbling up and the size of a dime. Over the years I have found when there is a serious temperature shift, from 15 degrees to 55 degrees in a day, that's when I get a break out. So yes, it was a balmy New Year's Eve and I get rewarded with a break out. For years I would get a sore and immediately apply ammonia to the tingling spot. Sometime it would deactivate a break out, sometimes not. Given the bubbles had already erupted I knew I needed an alternative solution because ammonia at this point would still allow for a 1 week heal time.
I read on Earth Clinic about acetone therapy. WOW!! It's working. I applied acetone to the sore via Q-tip several times that day and allowed it to evaporate. When I awoke this morning, the sore had dried up considerably and is hardly red. It appears the acetone has shorted the 2 week herpes life cycle to 1-2 days. I am so thankful this remedy works. I plan to apply acetone several times today for good measure. Acetone works far better than ammonia on killing this virus. Give it a try, you will be shocked.
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...
Red Marine Algae
Posted by Lynette (San Clemente, Ca.92672) on 12/08/2010
★★★★★
Hi: When ever l get fever blisters l use an excellant product called: Red Marine Algae Dumontiaceae (an Antiviral Food). This always cures me, l recommend it highly. Lynette, san clemente, ca.
L-Lysine
Posted by Finzy (Palm Beach, Fl) on 12/06/2010
I have episodic bouts of dizziness and vertigo. I went to ENT doc and had caloric testing and BPPV test. It turned out that I do NOT have BPPV and they can't conclude that I have Meneire's. I get fullness and a deep itchiness in right ear, but no ringing and no hearing loss. The doc found the right ear to be the problem during the caloric testing.
I have Herpes in my nose (deep up in right nostril) and genital herpes. I am almost sure that the dizziness I get is from herpes attacking my right inner ear.
After reading suggestions about Lysine supplementation, I began loading up on Lysine. 500 mg about 4-5 times per day. I must say, no more dizziness and no more herpes attack. If I manage to forget to take the Lysine for about 48 hours then sure enough, the genital herpes or nasal herpes start to break out. I sometimes even feel that funny flu feeling in my head and worry that an attack is happening in my inner ear. I am very sure that with future studies, the experts will find a definitive relationship between HSV and vertigo.
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.
Acetone
Posted by Coopbkc (Kansas City, Mo, Usa) on 10/08/2010
★★★★★
Thanks everybody on here so much. Earth clinic is amazing; I always check it first and have managed to avoid getting a prescription for anything for over 3 years (funny because I am applying to med school but avoid doctors at all costs). I have had only a few cold sores my entire life, but a few days ago I felt tingling in my lip and went to the bathroom and saw my lip was a little red and slightly swollen. I freaked out. I have a big weekend planned visiting my friends and a guy I just met. Having a cold sore was out of the question. I got on here and saw the acetone remedy. I am finishing my degree in Chemistry and have had quite a bit of contact with acetone and knew that it would work as a powerful disinfectant/drying agent. Also, to everybody that was shocked/worried about acetone, it is produced naturally in very small quantities in the body. Certainly don't make a martini with it, but a couple q-tip's full over a few days shouldn't be harmful assuming you're not allergic. By the time I got home, I had a small sore on my upper lip and my bottom lip had a swollen area the size of a marble (ahh! ). I used a q-tip and applied acetone a few times an hour all night. The next morning the top sore had dried out and scabbed and the bottom was less swollen but still showing signs of blistering. I continued with the acetone in the morning and abreva/acetone throughout the day. I did not use any moisturizer/chapstick because I wanted the infection to dry out. Its now only two days into the outbreak, my bottom lip is normal sized and has scabbed below the surface, the top lip has no scab and is pink and healing well. I am so happy. Its hardly noticeable. By tomorrow, I anticipate I will be back to normal. I have started using Vaseline to moisturize and speed up healing. A little acetone is sooooooo much better than the two week embarrassment I faced last time I had a cold sore. This has almost cleared up in 48 hours and this was the worst (biggest) outbreak I have had. Thank you again.
Mango Mask, Alum
Posted by Maxklug (Ma, Usa) on 03/05/2015
I posted a reply earlier to another comment but I think the information would be relevant to you too so I am posting it again here.
There is some evidence that an elevated level of mercury in the body is connected with outbreaks. There are ways to lower your mercury levels . One way is to take the supplement IP6, but research this yourself as it also chelates iron. Elevated levels of free iron may also contribute to outbreaks as iron displaces zinc and copper. Zinc is known to suppress the Herpes virus so reducing iron and mercury may convert you over to someone who never has another outbreak. Cilantro, otherwise known as coriander, is another very effective substance for chelating mercury and lowering your levels.
From my initial infection and a few outbreaks after that I was outbreak free for over a decade. Then in my mid thirties I had cavities filled for the first time in my life. I had frequent and sometimes sever outbreaks after that for a number of years. At some point I started taking IP6 for general health/anti aging reasons. My outbreaks ceased after that. I did not make the connection till much later when I read about mercury levels and herpes.
I would also suggest taking zinc supplements as most people are deficient.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gavin (Manganui, Northland, New Zealand) on 09/18/2010
★★★★★
If you dab ACV on a cold sore it immediatley starts shrinking to nothing.
Ted's Remedy Feedback
Posted by Zark (Emerald City, The Land Of Oz, The Land Of Oz) on 08/07/2013
★★★★★
Hi there, I will copy Ted From Bangkok's latest info for combatting Herpes Virus (latest I can find is 2012).
07/31/2012: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Yes, that is a weak remedy. I might try a stronger one, with BHT 500 mg, twice a day, lysine 1000 every hour for 4 hours once a day, and vitamin C 500 mg five times a day, for a month. You can also take the lysine twice a day, for four hours twice a day, with threonine, 500 mg at same time taken with lysine. There is a more powerful remedy than that, but I believe starting with the weakest one and gradually increasing strength is the safest way to go. Lithium is also antiviral and is taken at 5 mg a day before sleep and so is Lugols, but that's another remedy.
Ted"
-- Source: https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/herpes_questions.html
Homeopathic Remedies
Posted by Nutrtionistmom (Carlsbad, Ca) on 08/07/2010
★★★★★
I have gotten cold sores since I was a young child. My moms standard cure works great. Homeopathic cold sore medicine. Well-known brand carries it. Start taking as soon as you feel tingle or bump. Take several(just put under your tongue and it will dissolve) every few hours. It encapsulates the virus and stops it cold. If you didn't catch it quickly add in L-lysine 2000mg several times a day. Natural, chemical free and safe. If you catch it right away it never becomes more than a bump. I haven't had a full blown cold sore in years. Good luck
Acetone
Posted by Jazzy103 (Yardley, Pa) on 07/31/2010
★★★★★
I applied 100% acetone on onset of my oral herpes and much to my surprise it worked!! I suffer from breakouts 1-2 times per month and have tried many things with no success of stopping a full blown blister. I kept applying acetone about every half hour on the first day and about every hour on the second day, then a few times per day until I was sure it was gone. I only experienced some redness and dryness but no ugly yellow blisters!!!! I hope this can help someone who is suffering from this agressive and ugly virus!!
Acetone
Posted 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!
Avoid Caffeine
Posted by Lou-lou (Adelaide, Sa) on 04/01/2010
★★★★☆
Hi, I have posted here before but not for oral herpes which I also suffer from. Mine occur on the inside or outside of my nose, sometimes extending towards my mouth. Needless to say, not a pretty site :( and I have battled for years to try and improve the sores asap. What I hadn't looked into much before though was how to avoid getting them in the first place. There are always triggers for things and our bodies try to tell us this by giving us a rash, or a sore or spots etc. I too have also found a link with artificial sweeteners but what I have discovered through my own testings is CAFFEINE! It's a huge NO NO, well at least for me. I have cut out all caffeine products such as coffee, chocolate, coke etc. I loved all 3 but the alternative (a sore) is not worth it. I have found a coffee substitute called Caro and there is also one called Ecco. They are a cereal beverage and are sold in supermarkets right next to coffee. I usually mix that with decaf coffee. There is still caffeine in decaf but a very low percentage. I used to get outbreaks just about every month. I have been sore-free for 3 months now and counting :) Also as most of you would know, both Lysine and Arginine are amino acids. Most, if not all foods have each of these in them. Lysine is good for us herpes sufferers but arginine is very bad. Nuts, especially peanuts are at the top of the list for arginine properties. I printed a list from the web of foods high in arginine. The key is to ensure your diet has far more lysine. Plain yogurt and cheese top the list there. Also important is to know that the ratio of lysine in a food far out weighs the arginine content. If you don't think you are getting enough lysine, then you can always take a supplement. If any of you out there are staph carriers and suffer from severe infections around the nose towards the mouth area, I have an idea about that too so let me know if you are interested.