Cold Sore Relief: Top Natural Remedies

This past week I had been stressed out. Yesterday I noticed some itching at the edge of my bottom lip. Oh great! A cold sore is coming. I get these all the time, recently not so much, but ever since I was a yonug child (I'm in high school now). It's horrible! People make fun of you, it's so embarrasing. I kept searching on the internet of ways to make the damn thing go away. All of them said: you can prevent them, but once you have them you have to wait 7-10 days for it to go away. I kept searching on yahoo answers, and found something that didn't involve me going out to buy abreva or any other expensive products that only shorten healing time.

You take a sterilized needle and poke into the sore. You will see clear liquid ooze out of the sore now. Immediately take a cotton ball with acetone and press onto the sore, but after about 5 minutes change the cotton ball and do it again, because if you take it off and put it back on again an infection may form. It worked perfectly! It was gone instantly. I put [again] a new cotton ball with acetone on, and kept it on for an hour and a half. Please try this! But be careful because sensitive skin may have a chemical reaction from the acetone.

It WORKS like magic! I have fought this virus since my college days. I have tried oral L-lysine, topical L-lysine, ice, 3%H2O2, 70% Isopropyl alcohol, and every other idea. Acetone nail polish remover on a Q-tip right on the cancker sore dried it up right away. Thanks so much, I have an interview on Tuesday. I was so worried I would NOT get it cleared up in the next 4 days. NOW. No worries!

A canker sore is not the same thing as a cold sore. Nor does it have the same cause.

I have terrible cold sores and hemoform serum works wonders. When applied everyday, the sores never get those ugly huge scabs. And the best part is they don't hurt. I would highly recommend this to anyone who suffers with cold sores

So I had my first GH outbreak in quite a while and this one was waaaay worse then they normally are. I decided to search around a bit and found this thread. I bought some nail polish remover with acetone last night, applied it to "the bump" which was easily the size of the marble (with no signs of giving up any time soon), let it dry and then put clear nail polish on it over night. The itching and pain was gone within 10 min. Woke up, showered, applied more acetone and then more clear nail polish, and now two hours later.... The skin is still not healed but the bump is GONE!!!! I would guess this event will be a nightmare of the past by tomorrow morning at the latest!! Absolutely recommend giving this method a try!!!

Have to say after trying over the counter things, muipricin, benzoil peroxide, peroxide, alcohol, salt water, and over the counter cold sore treatments for the past week nothing has worked. I came on line this morning and I saw people trying nail polish remover. I was willing to try it anything to get rid of this. I have had to take pain relievers where the pain of this was outrageous and even they didn't work. I have covered the sore with a bandaid it didn't work. This is the first sign of relief in over a week.

I get these cold sores everytime I try to wear lipstick or lip balm if it's not made of lysine never again. For my birthday for pictures I put lipstick on not thinking it would create a huge problem- it did. So now I am trying to get rid of this before Christmas. These are miserable and embarrassing so I am giving this a try and if it works then I am sticking to it.

I woke up a couple days ago with that dreaded familier itch on my bottom lip.... I get these cold sores a couple times a year and know I'm in for a red, sore lip for about 7 days. Not this time... Treated it with the nail poslisher remover a couple times and this morning (ALL GONE)

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...

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.

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

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!

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.

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 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!

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!!

I'm from Katy, too :) i'll definitely try this next time i feel like i'm going to get a cold sore!

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.

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to pop in and comment as I usually don't give feedback, but I realize how important it is for people to see the success or failure of a certain recommendation. I know I have found earth clinic's posters to be informative and helpful so I figure I should add on to possibly be helpful to a new sufferer.

When I first read about Acetone, I thought, humm that's strange. Then I said oh well if I use it on my nails then it's seeping into my body anyhow. Maybe not the best attitude, but it always marvels me when I hear people say they can't use something on their skin, but they use it other ways.

Anyhow, I found this info after I had an attack and it pretty much resolved itself. I told myself I have to remember this Acetone method and use it the next time I have an episode. So pow, another episode on Thursday, about 3 days ago. I ran for the Acetone instead of the common brand I use and started to apply it. The particular brand I buy at my local pharmacy did work, but never quickly, never stopped the sore from becoming a sore and I would spend about $22.00 bucks for a small tube which I would use only until the sore was gone and then put it away. By the time I would get another flare-up the cream would have expired - URGH--and then off to spend another $22 bucks!!! So I decided, what the heck, let me try this while praying and see if it works. Well surprise, surprise, IT WORKED!!!!!!!

I was so amazed and excited! The first tingle was in the a.m. on Tursday so I used a Q-tip and kept applying the Acetone after the Acetone evaporated (using a new Q-tip each time of course). I did that for a bit. It got swollen and red, but that's it and yes it burned, but that was fine as long as it would work. Next morning I started again with the same process, but fewer applications because of schedule. By Saturday morning it was still a bit red, the swelling wnt down and a tiny bump remained. I didn't apply anymore and then today it scabbed over! Yup that was it. All gone now.

I couldn't believe my eyes! My friend was also amazed and said she's gonna try it when she has an outbreak. Thanks everyone for the suggestion. ACETONE WORKS!!!

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.

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.

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!

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.

I just want to say Dont use nail polish remover~!!! I tried this remedy and gave myself a bad chemical burn on my face. :-( Now I wish it was just a cold sore. I'll stick to L-Lysine in the future!

Even if it has poison, the Acetone, a few q-tip strokes won't kill anyone. The trick though is to have the virus controlled.

Been reading a lot about foods containing arginine, which is pro herpes virus, and lysine if not mistaken, which works against the virus. If the food balance if maintained you can naturally keep the virus away. Also, I use Valtr ex 500ml 1 day, wait 1 or two more days, and have anotherone. This combination of steps food/medicine if you want to use it, has helped me stay months without even small wart coming; at the same tiem keeping me fro taking too much chemical drugs.

You may try using the food balance method and IT will work I tried it for two three months but it has it's ups and downs, that's why Im combining it with the medication and have gotten very lasting results.

Stress is a main factor also, good sleep and excersice.

You may find information about foods with argine vs lysine in diverse web sites. ( IF you have not seen this comparison already)

Sorry if I wrote too much hope it is useful to all!

PS
Love the Acetone and Apple Vinagger methods will test them when the nasty friend comes by to visit!

Blessings to all.
Tom

Not only is acetone produced by the body naturally in small amounts, it breaks down and is metabolized as fuel.

Acetone works well!!! If you are burned, you are either too wimpy or have some odd allergy.

If the smell bothers you, get the real stuff from HomeDepot. The nail polish smell and bitters is to deter winos from drinking it.

This is the first technique that I've found that actually helps. I get them from too much sun or windburn.

FOLLOWUP: this has been amazing! After 40 years of this: I've been using Acetone after activities that would normally guarantee cold-sores, ie hard outside work and getting windburn/sun exposure combined, and I have not had any coldsores since using this method.

Found in the Journol of Virology:
1% acetone to have a 97% reduction of replication:
http://jvi.highwire.org/cgi/reprint/9/2/251

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.

Why would anyone want to control something they can get rid of? You are not informed if you are using chemicals to treat cold sores. Cold sores is a form of Herpes like it or not. Herpes is a lipid coated virus. Now Butylated HydroxyToluene (BHT) is a food preservative that kills these viruses. Don't take my word for it, do your own research. The BHT is available ay Vitamin Reseach Products online. My cold sore or spot that usualy breaks out every year is now gone after 2 months of taking one 350mg capsule every day on an empty stomach with a gulp of fruit juice. Pamper your pet cold sore or kill it, the choice is your. Knowledge is power. Art.

Nail polish, really??? Is that safe? Also, has anyone experienced cold sores moving from one end of the mouth to the other? I have, and it's a pain. I read that these sores usually last up to three weeks in some cases! I am ready for this to be done.

Oreganol oil and DMSO will get rid of a cold sore fast. I make a little paste, and use a Q-tip to apply.

Hi everyone, I got a cold sore today without tingling, just kind of burning and a bit of itching, and then all of a sudden a bunch of small bumps on my mouth. I have been taking Lysine for over a year since my last outbreak, so I have a feeling it will not be as bad as it was in the past. BUT, my birthday is in 2 days and its a milestone age, so desperate for solutions, I found this site. I just bought the acetone nail polish remover... I'm skeptical about its use but willing to try anything! Just have one question, this may sound kinda dumb, but are you supposed to wash it off a few minutes after you use it, or just let it stay on your skin? If you eat or drink throughout the day, couldn't drops of it get in your mouth if the area gets wet? Thanks!

I fully agree. This actually works. Thanks everyone for their remedies.. im surprised they work but very thankful!

Just had an GH outbreak after going 9 years without one! It was a small cluster on the outside labia (not on the mucous membrane) I was devastated and didnt want to have to go through weeks of pain. I was willing to try anything, and i did! I tried the acetone remover trick and IT WORKED. I pressed a q tip to the small cluster of sores that had not broken open yet, about 10 times yesterday and kept the area VERY DRY with cornstarch all day and night. Today, they are healing over and almost gone! they didnt break open, they didnt scab over, they didnt get any bigger...they are healing and almost gone. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Acetone Nail Polish Remover is now my best friend. It works wonders! As soon as you start getting that tingly feeling, put some on with a q-tip or some cotton swab. It burns a bit. But you can really feel it work. I kept doing this for about 5 minutes every couple of hours and what used to be a cold sore from hell that lasted at least two weeks is now a tiny mark that lasted only a couple of days. This really works! Thank you SO much!

G'day! After suffering from unsightly coldsores due to stress a friend recommended Lysine, an amino acid. I take a 500mg tablet every day or two. If I feel the "tingle" I increase the dose and that seems to do the trick, stopping the nasty beast in its tracks.