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 EricSF (San Francisco, CA) on 06/08/2009
★★★★★
I'm sorry, but with all the alternative remedies listed here I can't condone ripping off part of your face; in effect, performing surgery on yourself as a remedy to cold sores. Not only would this be excruciatingly painful, you also leave an open wound on your face to develop infections and leave scars. Next time, try Apple Cider Vinegar. My cold sore erupted, oozed, dried out, scabbed and cleared up within 24 hours after repeatedly applying 100% Apple cider vinegar for a few hours. By the next day, only a small dry red area of skin was left which could be covered with a little concealer and healed within the next 24 hours. What would usually last 8-10 days essentially ran it's course in 2 and vinegar is all natural. I was amazed how well it worked, but it certainly did and didn't involve mutilating my face.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Eric (San Francisco, California) on 06/08/2009
★★★★★
I've been getting cold sores occasionally for 12 years and have tried every over the counter topical treatment there is, but NOTHING worked like Apple Cider Vinegar did.(I actually find that most of those oily/waxy treatments make my sores worse.) I take a L-Lysine supplement pill every day of my life which I feel helps keep the breakouts down to a minimum, but occasionally sun exposure etc. will bring on a sore and I was desperate for a treatment that finally worked! I was skeptical of home remedies especially when I read that people were applying acetone to their faces, but 2 days ago I had a cold sore eruption the size of a dime on my lower lip and I thought I'd try about anything to speed along it's demise. I came across many sites listing Apple Cider Vinegar as a topical solution and I remembered my grandfather using it for burns and cuts. The fact that it's all natural was a major selling point, so I decided to give it a try. I had already had the sore for about 24 hours when I started applying 100% Apple cider vinegar directly to the sore with a Q-Tip. It was at the red sore with white blister stage, but hadn't yet erupted or oozed. Well let me tell you, within 5 minutes of applying vinegar it started to sting a little and then pulsate and I knew something was working. I read that viruses can not live in an acidic environment and this was no exception. Over the next few hours, I continually applied and reapplied a few drops and it was as if I had placed a time machine on my sore. What would usually take about 5-7 days occurred over the course of a few hours. My sore erupted oozed, dried out, cracked and crusted over that evening. I then cleansed and applied a little acne medication and left in on overnight to dry the sore further. By the next morning, the scab sloughed off in the shower and I was left with just a dry reddish area of skin, but no sore or bump whatsoever. I was able to cover it with a little concealer (something that NEVER works effectively on an actual cold sore) and with a little loose powder, it was practically invisible. The area is still dry and little painful due to the war that had occurred on the premises the night before, but should be all cleared up by tomorrow and best of all, the cracking/bleeding stage was skipped all together. Essentially, what would usually have lasted 7-10 days for me was complete in just 48 hours. I can only imagine how much better it would have been if I had caught the sore at the tingling stage and applied Apple Cider Vinegar right away. All I can say is that I am AMAZED at the results. Apple Cider Vinegar. Who Knew??? I'm a Believer!
L-Lysine
Posted by ShantiM (Mogadoe, Ohio) on 05/27/2009
★★★★★
When I take one cap of 500mg a day of L Lysine, I never have an out-break. When I don't take it, I have an out-break about once every three months. I have been on and off the L Lysine for years. Now I take it daily and have not had an out-break of oral herpes for eight months. Some days I take only half a dose...it still works. I would suggest this cure for anyone who has oral herpes and I can't imagine not taking L Lysine everyday ever again.
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Susan (New York, New York) on 04/26/2009
It has finally dawned on me that after consuming many cans of Slimfast for weightloss, I now realize that this is most likely the cause for my HB. 4 days after consuming Slimfast, I had a breakout. After reading the ingredients on the can, the company lists "non nutritive" sweetners, which obviously is some form of artifical sweetner. I am wondering now if the manufacturer might realize the problem and never intentionally mension the actual sweetners by name????? So, I will never drink Slimfast again. I do not take any diet products of any kind or artificial sweetners. I think people who are allergy prone have a higher chance of this kind of reaction. I believe that with all of the obesity in this country, more and more people will have outbreaks due to weightloss products. Thanks for this site.
Pine Pitch
Posted by Hannah (Smithers, BC Canada) on 04/12/2009
cold sores: an old friend of mine (who lives off the land completely) noticed I was suffering toomuch from cold sores. He brought in aspecial little bag for mr and said go put this on it. Not distrusting him one bit, but just apprehensive enough to ask what I was putting on my lips..lol.
his reply was simple... pine pitch...
from a tree? pine pitch? I asked...yup he said
I did so...and in 1 day it was down to almost gone....
amazing in my book because I get massive sized cold sores.
and... the next best thing is definately l lysine, but what do you do if you can't get to a store, can't afford the high prices of medication, or live very remote... that istheremedies I am looking for.
EC: Pine pitch = pine sap/resin
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by IGOTITTO (Martin, TN) on 04/09/2009
I have been able to link one of my worse outbreaks ever to my new diet and these drink mixes. Of course, it has aspartme. I was wondering though, which of you all was able to link it to wine? Thanks for the help guys. A community that is able to help others is a loving thing. Thanks again.
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by B (Washington DC, USA) on 03/21/2009
I have a question. So we know there's an artificial sweetener link to cold sores. Is it the ingestion of the product or the mere contact of it. Here's my dilemma. The girl I'm currently seeing is a hardcore Diet Coke fiend. We may very well be doing some kissing tonight and I'm afraid if I kiss her right after she had a diet coke I may get a cold sore. Does aspartame cause cold sores because of the ingestion and weakening of the immune system or is it a contact thing? Does anyone have experience with this? Anybody date someone who consumed a lot of aspartame and did it spread cold sores? Am I being paranoid? Will I be okay? Thanks.
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 03/21/2009 490 posts
Hello B, I am definitely no expert to answer your question, but taking into consideration the other things the excitotoxins cause, the answer would most likely be that it damages the immune system along with other parts of the body. It might be a good idea for you to research excitotoxins and print out the things they cause and present them to your friend.
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Jason (Miami, Fl) on 03/18/2009
OMG, u guys are saviors. I have not had an outbreak in almost a year. A week ago my roomate brought home a box of Sugar Free Popsicle. Although I hate sugar free products, one night last week I wanted some ice cream and I had 2 of the popsicles the first night and 1 the next night. Can you believe I'm having the worse outbreak right now? it's been over a week now. I was wondering why am I having an outbreak so bad, like I've never had before. Usually I have one red spot around the head of my genital, now it's two and so painful. Worse of all, right before I came to this site I had another one of that poison popsicle last night during my outbreak, so u know I'm f----d. I can't believe this. I'm about to throw away these suckers right now. And someone please tell me, can I get L-Lysine over the counter?
EC: Yes, L-Lysine is an OTC supplement. Some grocery stores and pharmacies even carry it, but you may want to check out a health food store first.
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by L (Boston, MA) on 03/16/2009
cold sore prevention: About 12 years ago, I figured out that artificial sweeteners triggered my cold sore outbreaks. I removed all artificial sweeteners from my diet but would still have outbreaks twice a year. Then, I noticed the outbreaks coincided with my teeth cleanings. Prophy paste contains artificial sweeteners. I now have my teeth cleaned with pumice and never have outbreaks.
Lecithin
Posted by Curious (San Francisco, Ca, Usa) on 06/17/2010
Did you take the lecithin one month only, or do you take it consistently?
Lecithin
Posted by Gwendolyn (Miami) on 09/24/2015
Is lecithin in capsule form or in fresh granular form?
Lecithin
Posted by Rashida (Texas) on 06/09/2020
After taking the lecithin for a month at 2500 mlgs??? Do you stop taking it??
L-Lysine, Licorice Tincture
Posted by Bettina (New York, NY, USA) on 02/09/2009
★★★★★
Cold sore remedy: I have found that L-Lysine and Licorice tincture help the best. When I feel an outbreak coming on (in my case usually around the nose, inside the nose or around the lips) I start taking 2-3000mg of L-Lysine spread over the day and dab the cold sore spot with Licorice tincture several times throughout the day. I also try to cut out all caffein (coffee, chocolate etc.) all sugars (natural and artificial) and processed foods and increase eating eggs, plain natural yoghurt and leafy green veggies.
Licorice tincture is made by soaking licorice root in brandy or vodka for about 6-8 weeks. Shake daily, if possible. After it has soaked for the required time, strain and store in a dark glas bottle, that has been cleaned thoroughly and sterilized. It keeps a long time. ALWAYS use a clean Q-tip EVERY SINGLE TIME to dab tincture on the cold sore.
General Feedback
Posted by Art (Lindsay, Ontario) on 01/25/2009
I just wanted to pass on some information about cold sores which I recently read. It appears that a researcher at Duke University (according to a Time Magazine article) is well on his way to finding a cure for herpes 1. His approach, rather than keeping the virus at bay, is to make it become active. Then, once active, the virus could actually be killed with traditional antiviral medication. He is apparently in talks with medical companies about the best way of delivering the treatment.
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Moe (Tigard, Or) on 09/26/2009
Thank you all for your information. I want to add that I have outbreaks when I eat banannas or take tryptophan. Banannas have tryptophan in them and I have relied on both for a sleep aid until I noticed the OBs came when I used either
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Desiree (Portland, OR) on 01/08/2009
★★★★★
For cold sores I apply the highest quality of pure melaleuca oil (also known as tea tree oil) on my sore as soon as I feel the tingling and often it does not erupt. This oil is penetrating and goes deep into the tissue, so bear that in mind when you decide where to put it. I would avoid too close to the eye, and I don't know if it can cross the blood brain barrier. Does anyone else? What might the effects be? I have tried everything on the market and this works every time. On an outbreak, it will take the eruption away in a day or two.
For systemic effect, I have found a concoction that takes it away for very long periods of time, usually no matter the stress level.
I make a blended green smoothie out of 1 fuji apple (peeled and cubed), 3 sticks of cubed celery, 1 1/2 C trimmed parsley (without the stalks), 1 inch of fresh ginger (cubed small, smashed with the blade of a vegetable knife and minced), 1 1/2 to 2 cups washed, destalked and cut to bite size green kale (I like the dinosaur kale best), 1 - 2 inch peeled banana, dash of cayenne pepper, 1/3 cup pure pressed unprocessed apple cider or apple juice, 1/3 cup water.
I add all this into the blender (I have a commercial blender that breaks down the cell wall of the kale which is thick and tough) and I blend it about 40 seconds until it is almost as thick as a milk shake. I drink the whole thing for breakfast.
At 50, it works better with enzymes, I think. The more raw vegetables that I eat, the more I can eat without the stomache ache I used to get when I eat vegetables. All ingredients are organic. The water is bottled spring water.
I drink this daily and have no outbreaks or tingling for about 3 months after I haven't had one. In the summer I trade the apple for a pear or a peach (yummy). This tastes great no matter which fruit you use. Should last you all morning, unless you need enzymes. Best Wishes.
Dietary Recommendations
Posted by Cathy (Johnsonburg, NJ) on 01/01/2009
★★★★★
I dealt with cold sore on my mouth (lips) for many years. Then I read somewhere to stay away from nuts and citrus to keep the herpes virus under control, which I have done for the past few years. I almost never ever get them anymore. Once in a great while I may eat a few nuts or citrus & if I overdo it (which I almost never do) I may get a very small sore on my lip. But, I usually don't mess with the nuts & citrus and as long as I don't, the cold sores stay under control. For me, keeping away from these two items seems to work really great. Cathy
Dietary Recommendations
Posted by Glenn (Perth, Australia) on 02/13/2009
★★★★★
I suffered frequently from cold sores most of my life. The embarrassment of a large outbreak on the lips is enough to want to hide away at home until the sore dimishes to just a small scab. But that's not possible when you need to work. It's even worse if, like in my job you need to interface with the public a lot.
A few years back I changed my diet by excluding or seriously restricting all wheat flour products because I was getting overweight and could hardly tie my shoe laces without needing to come up for air to finish the knot. It was hard to start with because these foods are so tasty and addictive. But as a result of the diet change I not only lost 15 kilograms but also found that I no longer suffered from cold sores or head colds either.
On the very rare occasion that I do get a cold sore now I can immediately trace it to a binge on bread, pizza, pasta or rice the previous day, and the lesion is tiny in comparison with the past. To control it I abstain from the flour products and rice and try not to lick my lips, and it goes away within days. Nuts, chocolate and citrus fruits are not a factor in my case nor are diet drinks because I don't really go for them much.
I wonder if genital herpes would respond to the same dietry restrictions.
L-Lysine
Posted by Ali (San Diego, CA) on 12/30/2008
★★★★★
Best ways to preventing a cold sore: I used to get cold sore and at first I had no idea what they were, then the doctor started giving me a cream to put on it which I thought was useless. Then I read about Lysine, now Lysine is a life saver. I also came across this device called Virulite, which helped prevent cold sores from forming by targeting the immune system to fight it before an outbreak. So every time I get stressed from work or school, I take 6- 500mg of Lysine daily, I spread them out during the day. Also if I feel a cold sore or a burning sensation anywhere, that is where I use the machine. Hope this helps ;)
Acetone
Posted by P. A. (Galloway, NJ) on 12/09/2008
★★★★★
Acetone cured my cold sore! Stressing about Thanksgiving arrangements, pleasing family memebers,etc. which triggered a cold sore on my lower lip about the size of a nickel. So the day before thanksgiving I checked earthclinic and saw the acetone remedy for clod sores..I figured what the heck...I had already tried the over-the-counter remedies in the past without much luck so I applied the nail polish remover with a q-tip about four times that day then applied an anti-bacterial cream to clear up any infection. Overnight I was pleasantly surprised to see that it had reduced the cold sore to about 1/4 its original size! Flat, not sore, tingly or anything.Applied a small dab of makeup for Thanksgiving dinner and it wasn't even visible! Yea! Thanks Earthclinic!!
Acetone
Posted by Linda (Des Moines, Iowa) on 11/03/2009
★★★★★
Acetone nail polish diminishes cold sores
You have to keep using it, though, for at least an hour or two. I'm in my 50s and have had cold sores ever since I was a little kid. I have found that if you can attack them quickly and aggressively, you can diminish them.
First, get a bottle of acetone nail polish remover and an over-the-counter strong cold sore ointment. First put the ointment on and let it sit there for a few minutes, then swab the sore with nail polish remover until the swab isn't cold anymore. Apply the ointment, and swab again. This takes two or three hours, but it's worth it. If you catch it early enough, the swelling will go down quite a bit and may be almost unnoticeable in the morning. I'm usually able to conceal it with a cover stick and a little powder the next day.
Acetone
Posted by Susan (Bklyn, Ny) on 07/11/2012
Eat flounder and you will never have an OB again. In the mean time work on finding a cure. Flounder, like cod and some other fish is loaded with lysine and the body knows the difference with it and the lysine pills. Look at my post that say "flounder" so u can prepare it. Do not settle there, while you treat, focus on getting a cure and change your diet. You do not want to live this way for the rest of your life. Also read my post on onion/garlic drink where two people got cured. The followed a strict diet, ate organic and only food from the land. Nothing processed, no meat etc.
