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.
Bitter Melon
Posted by Veronica (San Antono, Texas) on 11/20/2008
★★★★★
Bitter Melon has worked wonders on cold sore outbreaks. I get a tingle, take a couple of capsules and it subsides. I have tried coconut oil, but the results were not as spectacular.The few times I could not get the capsules in time (at work), I simply took them as soon as I could and the break out was lasted about a day and was not even visible- just itching and some slight burning. Bitter Melon beats all the others, hands down.
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Kat (Norman, OK) on 10/25/2008
I found this site while looking up lysine, and was shocked to read about a link between outbreaks & artificial sweeteners. I've had herpes for about 3 years now (that I know of anyway- Aug. 2005 was my first outbreak ever), and I've been outbreak-free since that first one up until about 3 months ago. I could not figure out why all of a sudden I was getting an outbreak a month but then I figured it out tonight- DIET SODA! I switched from regular coke to coke zero roughly 3 months ago & that's right when all the nerve pain & outbreaks began! God no wonder. I know for a fact I have a good immune system & I'm not under a lot of stress, so I was beginning to get scared. Just bought a new case of coke zero tonight & it's going right back to the store tomorrow. I'm going to try some of the remedies listed on the site, thanks.
Alcohol
Posted by Mary (Vancouver, Canada) on 10/23/2008
★★★★★
Cold Sore Remedy: This remedy came from my mom who is 80 years old this year. I developed a cold sore at the corner of my lips. I tried food grade Hydrogen Peroxide which did not seem to do anything. Next I tried Apple Cider Vinegar which relieved much of the burning and tingling. Unfortunately the ACV did not appear to heal the sore or stop it's spread. My mom said to use any type of alcohol on it. Not wanting to put any propyl or Isopropyl alcohol on my skin I used 40% proof vodka. Within a couple of hours I saw a major reduction in the size of the sore. My mom said to apply it often and I did. Twenty-four hours has passed and the sore has healed up and the burning and scabbing is going away. I wanted to share this with everyone here as it is sure working fast.
Alcohol
Posted by Caroler (Kilgore, Texas) on 12/19/2011
★★★★★
Alcohol can kill the virus before the sore pops out. Just dip a Q-tip in Vodka or a mouthwash high in alcohol. The secret is to hold it on the spot and soak it for 5 or 10 minutes. I think this is safer than nail polish remover.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dave (Parts, Unknown) on 10/14/2008
I was originally diagnosed with GW early last March. The doctor prescribed Aldara which worked a bit but as many of you know it's very pricey. i finally thought i had it kicked only for it to return in full vengeance about a month ago. I started back up with the Aldara than stumbled upon this site.
I started the ACV treatment 3 days ago and it definitely seems to be working as the affected area is either completely raw or blackish/green in color. The warts arent raised from the skin at all and the blackish/green portion is a couple of splotches.
I have noticed that much smaller black marks have appeared on the opposite portion of my penis that the ACV has not even touched. I assume these are much smaller warts that the ACV is triggering. Is this assumption correct? If so, I guess I need to attack these too. A couple of them are on the side of the head of my penis so I'm not looking forward to my head getting even remotely raw. Any advice?
Anyways, thanks to everyone for sharing their stories and advice. This remedy definitely seems to be working and I am optimistic for the first time in a long while. Well best of luck to everyone and thanks again!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Anon (None, Usa) on 11/01/2012
Put the apple cider heavily on a cloth and wrap it around your penis. It may smell a little funny but it will work...
Dietary Recommendations
Posted by Walter (West Palm Beach , Florida) on 09/28/2008
★★★★★
I started suffering from a form of herpes called gladiatorum herpes in my face from practicing brazilian jiu jitsu with someone who had the virus. It has one of the most, or perhaps the most horrible illness I ever had. Started taking L-lysine and it helped, stopped taking anything with Aspartame, it helped, however, everyweek for the last three months I was having outbreaks every single week!! Reading and researching on the internet, I figured I had a very acidic PH in my blood so I started doing the Gracie Diet (google it), I can say after a week and a half I am for the first time in months, free of outbreaks.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Shelly (Middlebury, Vermont) on 09/22/2008
★★★★★
I currently have an outbreak (the second one in 2 weeks) and I used peroxide on my second one after the first day. I didn't catch it in time but I'm finding that using the peroxide only 2 times has prevented it from really blistering and scabbing over too much. I popped the blister and drained it with a tissue and then used a qtip to dab it on a few times. It seems to take out the infection and dry it up faster. I'm going to continue applying peroxide every few hours and see how it works. I think if I'd have done this quicker, it wouldn't have blistered out quite so much. But it's less sightly than it would normally be.
L-Lysine and Vitamin C
Posted by Jay (san francisco, california) on 09/11/2008
★☆☆☆☆
Well, I had a cold sore on right corner of my mouth for about 6 months now, it just kept scabbing, then falling off, then scabbing, then falling off, i tried everything, so far its been 1 week from taking l-lysine and vitamin c daily, about 10g a day, and so far, nothing, i still have the cold sore, my doctor gave me acyclovir, but yet it didn't do a thing. Anyone have any suggestions, im really suffering from those terrible cold sore i had for about 6 months. HELP!
L-Lysine
Posted by Al (Orlando, Fla) on 08/24/2008
★★★★★
This site is the best thing I have found! I was in complete depression after a wrestling sparring partner infected me with Herpes Gladiatorum (HSV1) on my neck and face. It was a nightmare and this site was my salvation. I have tried L-Lysine and it worked perfectly, even if I feel a new OB I just start taking 3K Mg daily it has been under control. In addition I use Hydrogen Peroxide and smash a L-Lysine Pill and put in my face.
The only problem right now is that even the sores are closed, the red marks/spots on my face and neck are still there even after more than two months of being diagnosed with HSV1! Sometimes it gets irritated when I shave, is this normal?? Can someone please recommend me what to do?
L-Lysine
Posted by D (Orlando, Fl) on 10/14/2012
★☆☆☆☆
For Herpes Gladitorum avoid heat/getting overheated/sun. Apply cold (wash face and neck in cold or tepid water, or at least end your washing with cold to close pores and reduce inflammation). Bathe in tepid or cool water ending with a cold splash/ice on problem areas, apply cooling aloe vera/ice to tingling areas, stay cool and hydrated (without getting chilled enough to catch a cold) and pull hot collared shirts away from the neck. Keeping the skin cool works like a charm for me. I have not had a break out for months with the 'cold treatment'. Years ago used to break out constantly. Lysine was not effective for me. Best wishes! :)
L-Lysine
Posted by D M (Orlando, Fl) on 10/14/2012
Check the other 'Ice' remedies on your website for Herpes Outbreaks. Many others have experienced good results with ice/cool water. Other websites also mention avoiding heat/sun.
L-Lysine
Posted by D M (Orlando, Fl) on 10/14/2012
Many others on this website mention the 'Ice' and cold water. Other websites mention avoiding sun/heat. My personal experience has proven this effective.
Astringent Toner
Posted by Juliana (Calgary, Canada) on 08/22/2008
★★★★★
I got Cold Sore while camping this summer. I have no clue how I got it, could be from sharing cups or from the grass. I felt the tingle on my upper lip while returning home. I went to see the doctor immediately. The doctor recommended acyclovoir cream, but I don't find it very effective. However, the nurse told me to wet a cotton ball with alcohol and rub around the lips for 5 minutes. I didn't have alcohol at home by then, so I used my toner instead, because there are alcohol in my toner. I felt comfortable using toner since I used then after washing my face everyday anyways. I wet the cotton part of bandage with Astringent Toner and stick the bandage on the bump. I repeated this about 3-4 times daily for two days, and my cold sore disappeared! The toner I used is called Garnier Pure - Astringent Toner - Tighten Pores. You can get it almost anywhere.
Astringent Toner
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 08/23/2008 490 posts
Hi Juliana, For future reference for your herpes simplex (cold sore), when you first notice that tingling feeling that heralds a budding cold sore, start taking L-lysine 2 grams (200 mgms) 4 times a day and you will find it drying up by the next day. I have found L-lysine effective against all viruses that I have tried it for to date.
Ice
Posted by Noel Nepomuceno (Palm Springs, CA) on 07/22/2008
★★★★★
Once you feel a tingling sensation and know that a cold sore is about to come out, ice it for ten minutes, put alcohol on the affected area, then put fresh aloe vera on it. Cold sore is a virus. Viruses do not like ice cold and therefore, ice puts them back to their dormancy. Alcohol is to kill the virus that's already on the skin. Aloe vera is to heal the wound. Repeat this procedure throughout the day, 3 to 4 x. The cold sore will not come out. If you did not catch it on time, you may still do this procedure and I can ssure you, the cold sore will not grow bigger. And in two to three days, the cold sore will be be gone.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Carol (Greenville, USA) on 06/23/2008
★★★★★
I too have had coldsores all my life and am 50 yrs old now. I had a sore in the inside of my nose for 3 days , first I dapped peroxide.3% on the outside and the inside where I felt it sore and there was no change into the 3rd day. On the 3rd day I inhaled 3 or 4 puffs of a mix of half water and half .3% peroxide cheap Wal -Mart kind, from a 2 oz spray bottle that you can buy at Wal Mart for .50 in the toothpaste aisle where they have travel size items, and 2 hours later all the nose pain was GONE and no longer had a sore in my nose , it vanished. I also used Apple cider Vinegar the off brand at Wal- Mart GV . It's such a great value too, only $2.99 and I take the pinch or 1/4th tsp of Baking Soda and 2 TBLS of APPLE CIDER VINEGAR in 4 oz of COLD WATER and it has lowered my heartrate from 117 to 72.This has also lowered my BLOOD PRESSURE from to 112/60 I feel full of energy and I do this before I eat first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I sometimes take it at NOON for a pick me up. I no longer have acid reflux/ GERD. I sleep and breathe better as I have sleep apnea.
EC: Read more about the Hydrogen Peroxide Inhalation method here.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Amanda (Tampa, FL) on 06/19/2008
★★★★☆
I have gotten cold sores since I was little. And I am 22 now and i still get them. My docter use to give me this paste for them however it just made them look worse and never helped. Last summer I got cold sores probably about once every 2 weeks. As soon as one was gone another one would come in its place. I have bought everything you can buy at walgreens. None of it works, esp. Abreva the stuff just flat out does not work. I went on the internet one day and found that Aloe Vera, if you put it on the cold sore as soon as it starts it stunts the cold sore and it never gets any bigger. I also use L-Lysine tablets, about 4,000 or more mgs a day if I go to the beach while I don't have a cold sore, I will still take about two or so tablets. Also my docter gave me valtrex which does work well but only if you catch the cold sore right as it is starting to form, which is hard to do since I am not always at home when they start. Carring supplies in your purse is helpful though, I know it's a pain but when you get cold sores you gotta do what you gotta do. Last night I was at work and felt one forming on my lip. It never got any bigger and I thought it wasn't going to but than another one started to form on my lip also. I ran home and put aloe on it but I think i was too late. I am trying Apple Cider Vineger right now and so far it seems to be working so I think this will go in my list for remedies, lol. Thank you!
Aloe Vera
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 06/21/2008 490 posts
Amanda, from Miami, Increase that l-lysine to 2 grams (2000 mgms) 4 x a day and see if it doesn't work. It always works for me at that dosage. You might also consider avoiding high arginine foods, like peanuts.
Acetone
Posted by Michelle (Buffalo, United States) on 06/01/2008
★★★★★
On Monday I woke up and felt a tingling feeling in and around my nose. I immediately jumped up and cleaned my face. After washing I put novitra and abreva around the area that was tingling. This method use to work for me however it seems like with any remedy that works my system eventually become immune to the concoction or remedy and I have to find something else. Well that is exactly what happened to me this time around. I ended up with a full blown cold sore, starting in one nostril and traveling around to the other one with a cluster all on the bridge of my nose ending on the very brim of my right nostril. Very big and very embarrassing! Needless to say there went my entire week. I took off two days of work and it ruined my weekend. Just when I thought the worst was over, I was going to bed on Saturday and prepared to go through my nightly routine of washing my face etc, and low and behold there was a small tingling feeling on my upper lip. I'm screaming to myself this can't be happening. I can't afford to take off anymore work and expect to have a job when I come back but I can't endure another week of having an embarrassing cold sore at work. I put some Abreva and novitra on it and when I went back approximately 5 minutes later, it appeared to be forming a cluster. I immediately jump on line to see if I can find any type of alternative treatment and I came across this website. After reading all the comment I realized it was extremely late and I had to work with what I had. So I immediately went to work. I ran to the sink and dabbed a Q-tip in Acetone nail polish remover. I left it on the cluster for about 2-3 minutes. I then grabbed an ice cube from the freezer and compressed it against the sore blister until it had completely melted. I then dipped another Q-tip into the nail polish remover and left it on for 2-3 minutes. I put some more Abreva and Novitra on it and went to bed. When I woke up the thing was completely gone. Just to be sure I repeated all of these steps again and plane to do it again before I go to bed. But so far so good. I just wanted thank everyone for posting their remedies. If they hadn't, I'd probably be out of a job right now.
Acetone
Posted by Jen (Portland , Oregon) on 11/18/2008
★★★★★
YEP!!! This seems to be a miracle solution for herpes, both oral and genital. I get both but if I take a cotton swab and dip it in acetone and hold it on the sores for several seconds (or as long as I can) they go away super fast. I keep putting the acetone on the sores throughout the day to dry them up and both oral and genital last only a few days at the most!! My friend's boyfriend tried the acetone on his genital herpes on his last breakout and they never became sores and disappeared in two days. Outbreaks don't seem to be as often either. I also take L-Lysine too but its the acetone that really does that trick.
Acetone
Posted by V (Thousand Oaks, CA) on 04/24/2009
Can you put the acetone/polish remover on the sore if you've already had it for about 5 days? Or do you have to do it when you get the first tingle? I have a sore on my lip for about 5 days that won't go away but it's already blistered. I've been putting ACV on it but it's not working. I also put another over the counter med on it, but it's not helping either. I am worried that with the stage it's at now, that putting the polish remover on it will damage my lip and make it bleed or scar... plus, we are going on a cruise in 2 days! Help!
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.
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Tracy (Suffield, CT) on 05/19/2008
Thanks for the information about artificial sweetneers link to herpes outbreaks. I recently had been chewing sugarless gum and sugarless mints and had a few outbreaks during a 3 week period. I now know that it is probably linked. I can't afford the Valtrex to take all the time and started taking Garlic twice a day and haven't had any breakouts. I was reading over this site and there is a lot of talk about Lysine, I am going to research that as well. About the Stevia (Sweetleaf) it is wonderful and natural. Forget the artificial sweetners, they are not good for you!Thank you everyone for your help!
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Harry (Vancouver, Canada) on 05/18/2008
Herpes outbreaks: stay away from aspartame, please read labels before u eat food. aspartame is in following. NO SUGAR-LESS GUM - stick to breath mints instead. NO DIET SODA- stay away from all diet products, drink water or regualar soda NO SWEET & LOW or any sugar substitute, they all trigger herpes. stick to regular sugar. i've had no outbreaks in the last 4 yrs, stay away from doctor prescribed herpes medication, they don't work. aspartame triggers outbreaks, please do your research. www.aspartamekills.com
Artificial Sweetener Link to Herpes
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 05/18/2008 490 posts
Hello Harry, Read the ingredients on those breath mints, especially if they say sugar free, because many of these also contain aspartame. There is one sugar substitute that has been found safe (so far). It's called stevia and comes from the leaf of a plant. Has a slight licorice taste, but I like it. It can be found in any health food store - I have also been told it can be found in some of the grocery stores now. The price will seem to be very high until you find out how little you use, compared to sugar. I believe that l tsp of stevia is equal to one cup of sugar. Try it and I think you'll like it. Also for any virus you may get in the future, including herpes, you will find that 2 grams (2000mgms) of L-Lysine 4 times a day works better & is much cheaper than the prescription antiviral drug!
