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.
Avoid Citric Acid
Posted by Kim (San Jose, Ca) on 09/03/2010
★★★★★
While I don't have a cure for cold sores, I discovered what causes a breakout on my upper lip. I recently found out that I have a cousin in another country that has a break when she eats too many tomatoes. So I decided to keep track of what I ate, when I have my breakouts. It turns out that citric acid was the culprit. I noticed that when I drink too much orange juice, cranberry juice, soda, or eat tomato sauce, I get a cold sore. Any one item does not cause me to break out, but ingesting multiple items in one day or over a few days will result in a painful breakout that lasts about three weeks. Now, I very seldom get a cold sore, and when I do, I realize that I was not careful about what I ate, especially when it is often used as an additive is foods, like most sodas, jellies, sour dough bread, etc. I thought I would pass this information on, in case it helps someone else prevent or reduce future cold sore break outs, as they are painful and embarrassing.
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...
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.
Avoid Citric Acid
Posted by Timauthee (Dallas, Tx) on 09/06/2013
Thanks! For cold sores I tried ALL of the home remedies, heavy drugs and L Lysine for prevention for years..... Nothing worked. Read here and on the genital herpes site that Orange, Grapefruit and Cranberry Juice causes outbreaks. Past years would have on average of 8 major occurrences per year. Stopped drinking these juices and had 1 minor occurrence in the past 2 years (side-note, the last two years have been anything but stressless so its not due to a low stress levels)."
Ice
Posted by Ileana (Cabo Rojo, Pr) on 02/11/2012
★★★★★
I have been going through a lot of stress lately and a couple of days ago I felt it coming.... An upper lip herpes eruption... I was horrified since I have had to be around relative day in and day out due to a sickness in the family... So after I read about ICE as a cure for herpes... I though I might as well and try it.... IT WORKED!! EVERYTHING IS GONE my lip is clear.... Well except for a little ice burn on my upper lip cause I put ice again and again.... Hehehehe... Hey I don't mind as much cause it is gone.... So thank!!
Acetone
Posted 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.
Acetone
Posted 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%).
Acetone
Posted 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!
General Feedback
Posted by Fmh (Dallas, Tx) on 07/09/2010
I have genital herpes but also get them on my mouth. I get them on my mouth about once a month or more. About 5 years ago driving home from a vacation with my boyfriend I was driving and asked him to light me a cigarette. He did, but handed it to me backwards and I stuck the hot end directly on my mouth. It blistered up and turned into a horrible herpes outbreak as well. But for some reason I never had an outbreak on my mouth again!! Maybe I accidently figured something out. I do still have genital outbreaks and am too chicken to go down in that area and burn myself.
Bentonite Clay and Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Benjamin (Scottsdale, Arizona) on 06/17/2010
★★★★★
I`ve had good results using cosmetic bentonite clay mixed with apple cider vinegar on a fever blister.This is something I normally use as a facial.But I discovered if I applied a small amount of the mixture to the fever blister covering it completely and leave on overnight, it would reduce and start to heal.
Acidophilus
Posted by Gina (Wichita, Ks) on 05/11/2010
★★★★★
I suggest taking acidophilus for herpes. Start at the first tingle. A pharmacist told me about this and I have not had a cold sore fully develop in years.
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.
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.
Honey
Posted by American (Virginia Beach, Virginia) on 02/15/2010
Hello, You said on your website that apple cider vinegar works for cold sores. Sorry, it doesn't. At least, not for me.
What DOES work is honey, which is known for its ability to promote wound healing. Just keep smearing it on the cold sore - and yes, it is a sticky, gooey mess. But boy, does honey ever work!
Acetone
Posted by Dan (Denver, Colorado) on 02/09/2010
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
I dabbed acetone on my face before going to bed one night and I woke up with chemical burns on my tongue and it triggered Bell's Palsy. Don't do it!
Acetone
Posted by Den (Katy, Texas, Usa) on 02/25/2010
★★★★★
First of all I love this website!
I recently had a GV outbreak after going almost 1 year without. I immediately came to this website. Looking at the last days before I felt the terrible tingling. I tried a new sweetener. Didn't like and only drank half the cup, but it was enough!!! I have been working on getting off of sugar. So I knew the only change was the artificial sweetener! NEVER AGAIN! So it was the very next day I woke up with the tingling. I dabbed a cotton ball with Acetone Polish Remover and held it to the area. OMG!! It burned!!! After the initial shock, it felt better. For the next 3 days I did this 2 times a day. I never had a full outbreak. By day 4 it was gone!!!! Thanks Earth Clinic!!
Acetone
Posted by Katylady82 (Katy, Tx, Usa) on 03/08/2010
I'm from Katy, too :) i'll definitely try this next time i feel like i'm going to get a cold sore!
L-Theanine
Posted by Found Another Option (Columbus, Ohio) on 02/08/2010
★★★★☆
I have had cold sores since I was 6. L-Lysine never worked for me. Once I discovered that this virus is in your nerve endings, I thought of anything that would be a destresser. One day by accident I tried L-Theanine. When the tingling came, I had just taken one. It broke out but only stayed two days and did not have any redness. The tingling and soreness was never felt. Thought I'd put this one out there for anyone who might want to try this.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Marie (Crowthorne, Uk) on 04/15/2010
I have gotten all excited about the great responses to using HP for cold sores, however not one comment states if it is 3% solution or 35%. Please could someone let me know. Many thanks.
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?
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Paysocal (Redondo Beach, Ca) on 07/28/2011
There is a website I was reading this morning
www.drinkh2o2.com that has all the information on hydrogen peroxide theropy. They give you the dosage schedule. I haven't tried it yet.
L-Lysine, Nail Polish Remover
Posted by Victoria (Saint Johns, Florida) on 01/29/2010
★★★★★
I get about 2-3 cold sores a year on my lips. After a attempting a few remedies, I have found the cure. Once I feel that tingling sensation I immediately take 2 capsules of L-lysine at 500mg. each. If I see a red spot coming out, I get a q-tip, dip it in nail polish remover & using the tip only, apply it with a slight pressure to that area for a few seconds until I feel a burning sensation deep within. That's how you know it's working. I repeat 2 more times that day and the next along with the L-lysine. The cold sore never even comes out. Sometimes, I've had a cold sore start at night while I'm sleeping & when I wake up, it's already painful & clearly visible. Even then, I take my L-lysine and apply the nail polish remover and it stops it in its track! It kills the virus and stops it from growing. I tell all my friends and family & it has worked on them too!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Pundon2010 (Charlotte, North Carolina) on 01/29/2010
★★★★★
On this past Monday I started to have that "tingling" feeling on my lip meaning the beginning of a cold sore breakout. By mid afternoon I was right, a huge blister in the corner of my mouth ouch!!...after reading the numerous reviews on ACV as a cold sore remedy, I decided to give it a try. On this past Tuesday went to the store an got the ACV and put some on a cotton ball. Without a moments notice the cold sore started to burn like someone had threw perm on my face!!!!...but after a few moments the burning sensation went away. About an hour later the cold sore had reduced in size. I did the same thing again before I went to bed. When I woke up the next morning the cold sore had reduced in size about 1/2 inch and had began to crack as if it was drying out already!!!!....YAY!! I thought, But to my dismay there was yet another cold sore peeking its ugly head out from beneath my lower lip. After having success with the other sore, I kept reapplying the ACV with a cotton ball 4-5 times a day for both sores for approximately 3 days. Today is Friday and I am glad to say that both sores are gone!!!!!...no more ooze and pus filled blisters..as of right now they are in the healing process, so they are scabbing over. Thanks Everyone and Earth Clinic for your wonderful tips on how to combat such an embarrassing condition!!!!..I will defintely be ready with the ACV when the next one comes!!!!!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Larry (Sacramento, Ca) on 09/03/2011
From my experience besides eating right and taking lysine, zinc, vitamin C and any other immune booster vitamin you choose; A natural product from www.quickhealingherb.com is the only product I've tried that works immediately. Everything else takes awhile to reduce and go away.
L-Lysine
Posted by Kaykow (Washington, Dc) on 01/19/2010
★☆☆☆☆
I've used L-Lysine and it does not work. I currently have 3 cold sores on 3 places on my bottom lip. I've been taking L-Lysine for 1 - 1 1/2 years and I still get cold sores. Unfortunately this time it was 3 at one time.
L-Lysine
Posted by Don (Ny) on 02/02/2014
Eat lots of flounder.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tahiti (Pittsburgh, Pa) on 01/18/2010
★☆☆☆☆
I had the exact same thing happen to me. I used it on a cold sore on my lip and a canker sore. When I used it on the canker sore, it made my lip swell really big. It did nothing for my cold sore either. What can be used to make a canker sore heal quickly and go away even more quickly?
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lou (Tyler, Tx) on 09/27/2015
Catfish, cajun fries and crawdads? You eat like my husband and he has a cold sore tonight that erupted into a facial infection of sorts. Not a good diet. Eat a salad!!! Alkaline diet!!!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Don (Knoxville, Tn, Usa) on 01/05/2010
★★★★☆
Red marine algae has really reduced the pain and brought on much faster healing. Using it with lysine and garlic supplements plus lysine lip salve has been a blessing.
One more thing if you can find the trigger mechanism that brings them on you can avoid many outbreaks. One of mine is apple skins or any products with apple juice in it. Another is stress.
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Eric (Central, Florida) on 06/08/2010
WOW, I can't believe you were taking that for any reason, let alone in a dose like that. You can thank Donald Rumsfeld for the aspartame push. If you have netflix, watch The Beautiful Truth, there's some good stuff in there about this subject and msg etc. and what it does to your brain. Good luck.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Laura (Cape Cod, Ma) on 12/06/2009
★★★★★
Found your site while searching for natural wart remedies and read up on all the things that Apple Cider Vinegar is supposed to help. My husband suffers from cold sores (herpes) thankfully, infrequently. But he was getting a really large one and tried the ACV on it and it really worked. Soak a cotton ball with ACV and place on the area as soon as you feel tingling. Do this as often as possible for the first 24 hrs and it skips the whole burning and breakout period. The sore went right to crusting over and healing in about 4 days. We had to write in because your site helped him so much! thank you...will respond to the wart ACV remedy too because that works too!
Manuka Honey
Posted by Jessica (Orlando, Florida, Usa) on 10/27/2009
★★★★★
Ive Been Using Manuka Honey for my cold sores. I normally get them from ACCIDENTALLY touching my mouth with unclean hands especially with money. When I was young I sue to get them ALL the time and could never figure out when until I got older and put 2 and 2 together and realized the Dirtiness in $$ and touching my mouth was causing continous outbreaks. I try to be as cautious as possible but I also have kids who accidentally hit me in the mouth here and there when playing or jumping around. Ive been applying manuka honey with a Q Tip everytime im touched anywhere in the area of my mouth. At night I apply the manuka honey around the outer lining of my mouth and also all over my lips and thus far have not had any outbreaks. The Manuka Honey helps destroy bacteria and is also WONDERFUL for so many different ailments. I had a cold sore a few months back and applied the manuka honey to it continuosally and the sore was gone and healed within a week. It never allowed the sore to get bubble up and hit that really disgusting stage. TRY IT IT CANT HURT!!
Oregano Oil
Posted by Gerald (Los Angeles, California) on 02/19/2014
Traditionally, when our family….I'm speaking of the one in which I was raised…..encountered a really bad sessions with the flu, when 1200 mg of Vitamin C and 24 hours of rest didn't make a dent in the onslaught, Mom would brew up with a tea of oregano and other spices, the taste of which would make one's hair stand on end, but would turn the corner on the ailment!
So, it comes as no great revelation to find you dosing yourself with an oregano extract. However, the diatomaceous earth is merely a “deposit, ” if you will, of the oil, much like it is used to ensconce oily nitro-glycerin, in dynamite.
It keeps the oil against ones face. This is a topical application to a sore, from what I see you describing. Might I suggest an ozonated olive oil? As a salve, it stays on the site to which it was applied.
If properly made of an organic, extra virgin olive oil, the portion against the skin melts into a fine, deeply penetrating oil, carrying the ozone, with which it combined, to wherever it travels.
Its highly oxidative nature wreaks havoc against topical pathogens. Use it straight; don't dilute it because of the smell. One becomes accustomed to it.
You'll find a dab placed upon most any sore, hastens its healing markedly. It does not “cure” the cause, if it's internal. But it will allow the unhindered healing of the lesions that form.
Try it! I think you'll be surprised at it efficacy and how long such a small amount lasts!
Epsom Salt
Posted by Jean (Franklin, Wi) on 08/18/2009
★★★★★
No idea where I ever got the idea to try this, but it has worked every time for me. When I get a cold sore, I put a crystal of epsom salt on it. It stings for a bit, but within a short period of time the pain is down, a few hours I know its already on the mend, and the next day its usually about 1/2 to 2/3 cleared up. It only needs to be done once.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Pamm (Birmingham, Al) on 07/24/2009
★★★★★
Cold Sores: This site has been amazing & I have loved it! I hate taking medication for anything, so I try all of these natural remedies first. And I have had some Down Falls. But more good then bad. Everyone is different so not everything will work for everyone. I noticed I had a virus of some sort and noticed my lips were tingling and sore and I had many blisters forming quickly. I did not have my usual cold sore medication and I hate fever blisters so I came on here and read about the Apple Cider Vinegar Cure. I am not going to put fingernail polish remover on my lips because of the toxins in it, so I tried the ACV and it burned but not too bad. I did this throughout the day and by nighttime I could see they were drying up & looked better. Here it is the next morning. Not completely gone, but less noticeable no tingling, no pain, they are almost completely dried up. They are not hurting like they were yesterday. Also try taking Valtrex, you have to get a prescription from your doctor but it works. It boost your immune system. But I was amazed that this Apple Cider Vinegar worked so quickly! I am going to keep doing it today, and I know they will not come out if I keep it soaked down with the natural Apple Cider Vinegar. Natural all the way!
Ear Wax
Posted by Jenna (Pittsburgh, Pa, Usa) on 02/01/2010
This is a crazy idea, but it is on my lips as i write this and i do feel something!! I do EVERYTHING there is: lysine, diet changes topical ointment, tea bags, ice, and annything else i can find and they always last over a week! can't wait to see how this goes, will definitely update you!!
