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.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Sarah (Cape Cod, MA) on 06/02/2009
★★★★★
Hydrogen Peroxide cleared up my cold sore in 48 hours. I was and AM sick of paying for Abreva, etc...when it takes over a week to do anything at all. I never suffered from cold sores until the age of 22, and since then they have been directly related to the change in my hormones prior to getting my period. So, from 22 until now (almost 3 years), I've almost consistently had to deal with the annoyance/pain/discomfort of them. So, in a desperate search for a better answer, I came to your website (which has helped me a lot in the past), and 48 hours later I'm 90% cleared up! It's amazing, it went from appearing, to drying, to scabbing, to healing in no time at all. Thanks so much everyone for your input!
Bleach
Posted by Gloria (Plano, TX) on 02/24/2009
★★★★★
My son got cold sore, i heard about apple cider vinager, hp (hydrogen peroxide) and all of that store stuff. My co-worker told me about clorox bleach. After trying carmex, and hp, we applied bleach, and every time it stopped burning we applied more. After 3 applications it went away in 30 minutes.
Tea Bag
Posted by Kelly (Nashville , TN) on 02/20/2009
★★★★★
I have had clients who had very good success using Earl Grey tea bags as a compress for the cold sore. Wet a tea bag in barely warm water, squeeze just a little until not dripping and then use as a compress for 20 minutes at a time several times a day. The bergamont oil and tannins in the tea should heal the sore.
Clove Oil
Posted by Anonymous (Orange County, CA) on 01/20/2009
★★★★★
Clove Oil for Cold Sores: Another remedy that isnt listed on here is clove oil. i have used it ever since i read it in the back of the master cleanse book. I get these blisters approx. once a year. The clove oil dries them up and clears them out. It works like a charm if you dont mind the taste. I also heard that a little bit of clove oil on the back of your tongue is also a remedy to help quitting smoking. I have never needed to use anything else but the clove oil, oh and tea tree oil works quite well too. good luck, i know these things suck. :)
Triggers
Posted by Marion (Powhatan, VA) on 12/28/2008
★★★★★
I have suffered with herpes since I was a little girl. Giant sores would appear around my nose and mouth. I actually go into hiding I am so ashamed. I have tried everything. Valtrex does work if the sore is caught early enough but this requires a prescription and is very expensive. In my search for an alternative I have decided to avoid the food triggers that cause the outbreaks. Chocolate, Nuts and Oranges too much sugar and artificial sweeteners. I also drink lemmon balm tea every morning. Since changing my diet. I have been outbreak free for over three years. I hope this info helps.
L-Lysine
Posted by Rodney (Charlotte, NC) on 12/09/2008
★★★★★
I heard about l-lysine for cold sores using the internet about 10 years ago. I tried it then and it did not work. This time L-Lysine closed my sore almost immediately. This time I took larger dosages. My sore was already opening on my lip when I started using Abreva. But Abreva(???no generic ointment name) is not that great once a sore starts.
Since discovering this site, I decided to use a larger dosage of the L-lysine and within 1.5 (one and one half days) the sore has closed up and is well on its way to disappearing. Even though Herpes I is widespread, it is very uncomfortable for me to deal with people's reaction to seeing an open sore on your lips.
Measurements:
I am a big guy. So this time I used 3 1000mg tablets every six hours for 2 days. And each day following the first 2 days, I will lower it 1000 mg until I am taking nothing.
I usally get sores around the holidays which is a very stressful time for me for some reason. Thanks so much!
Camphor
Posted by Lori Keat (Blacksburg, Virginia) on 11/10/2008
★★★★★
Herpes cold sores: For years I've been using 'spirit of Camphor'. I put it on a cotton swab and put it on the area. I also have taken Vit.B Complex and that helps too...As does Lysine...
Elderberry
Posted by Citrine (Austin, TX) on 10/17/2008
★★★★★
I take Elderberry Extract 4 times a day to cure cold sores due to the herpes virus. At the first tingling sensation, I take my first capsule with water and also dab on a little hydrogen peroxide. The cold sores usually never forms. Elderberry (medicinal name is Sambucus) is an amazing anti-viral berry. It even works against the flu virus! My family does not take the flu vaccine and has used Elderberry to knock out the flu should the flu virus strike. You can purchase elderberry extract at any health food store. There is a syrup version for kids too (but it contains quite a bit of sugar as do most children's meds). As with any viral infection, it is recommended to continue the dosage for at least 3 days to rid your body of the viral attack. Hope this helps!
Ear Wax
Posted by C.R. (Springfield, MO) on 10/05/2008
★★★★★
OK this is gross ... But it works, I even had my boss try it.... Grandma said when you have a coldsore, use your own earwax. But don't lick your lips! I know. I know. But if you like me I use to get them all the time.. I havent had one in years.
Garlic
Posted by Anna (Charlotte, USA) on 06/29/2008
★★★★★
Garlic Remedy for Cold Sores: My mom traveled to Europe and while she was there, cold sores broke out around her mouth. An Austrian man saw her and told her to cut a clove of garlic in half and hold it to the area for 10 minutes three or four times a day. It works like a charm for her.
Vicks
Posted by Fruitful Eden (Or) on 11/21/2020 4 posts
There is also turpentine oil in Vicks vapor rub and I think it might be the turpentine oil that helps.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Inourhands (Sydney, Australia) on 10/11/2010
★★★★★
I keep organic ACV in the fridge and use it all the time but had never tried it on cold sores which I occasionally suffer from. After a really busy period without enough rest I was starting to feel very run down and sure enough the other morning I woke up with one cold sore above my lip, and a separate one just starting nearby. I thought i'd try the ACV - dabbed straight on with a cotton bud. Immediately I could tell it was helping, so I applied it a few more times during the day. The one that had already started dried up to a mild scab and the other one retreated completely without erupting. Glad to see others know about this too, it really works.
L-Lysine
Posted by Sue (Waukesha, WI) on 09/23/2007
★★★★★
Ever since I was a child I would get really bad cold sores on my lips. about eighteen years ago a co-worker told me about L-lysine. I bought some and as soon as I would feel the tingling like one was starting I'd take 2-3 L-lysine and later in the day 2 more and the next day only 3. And the cold sore wouldn't form or come out. For about a year I'd take it only when I felt one coming and a day or two. For about 14 years I haven't had one cold sore! A miracle!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Lee (Salem, NH) on 03/17/2007
★★★★★
I have always used hydrogen peroxide for skin infections, insect bites, cankers, cold sores & deleting blood stains. Results are quick & inexpensive. I dab it on my finger, straight from the bottle, to apply to a cold sore or canker. I have never had a cold sore for more than a day. When I was a teenager, I also applied some to any pimples that might crop up.
Tinactin (Foot Spray)
Posted by Wellington (Quincy, WA) on 01/14/2007
★★★★★
I used this product called "Tinactin" (its an athletes foot spray) I used it for 3 days morning and night .I sprayed it on and let it dry,(I used it because Tinactin has an anti itch medicine in it )after the 3rd day the blisters were gone and i have not had an out break for about 1 year.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Alex (USA) on 04/17/2006
★★★★★
It works; I started using it with the early symptoms, like five times a day. It stopped it from coming out.
Vitamin A
Posted by Sara (Houston, Texas)
★★★★★
Break open a vitamin A capsule and apply. I've tried everything. This helps me prevent a full blown outbreak. I get the virus on my nose!
