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What are Some Remedies for Cold Sores?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

There are numerous remedies for cold sores, ranging from prescription medications which will suppress outbreaks to home remedies which are designed to relieve the pain and irritation of an outbreak. In all cases, you should be aware that no remedies for cold cores will eradicate the virus which causes them, although these remedies can reduce the severity of cold sore infections. Many remedies for cold sores also work on canker sores, since although the two conditions are caused by different things, they have many similarities once they have formed. You may also learn with experience that your body responds differently to various remedies for cold sores, and you can use this information to establish your own regimen of cold sore care.

Cold sores or fever blisters are caused by Herpes Simplex Virus type I (HSV-I). The virus remains dormant until it sees an opportunity to multiply, and then it rapidly activates, causing numbing, tingling, and an outbreak of characteristic blisters in and around the mouth. HSV-I is extremely contagious, and oral herpes is very common. If you have experienced frequent outbreaks of lesions around your mouth, you should get a test for oral herpes if you have not done so already.

A cold sore.
A cold sore.

To prevent cold sores, you can use prescription medications which suppress outbreaks or minimize outbreaks in the early stages. You should also wear sunscreen on your face and use lip gloss or chapstick with sunscreen in it, as sun exposure can promote an outbreak of cold sores. Try to eat a healthy, balanced diet with lots of lysine and acidophilus; these compounds are readily found in yogurt, and they can be found in dietary supplements as well. They can also be used in remedies for cold sores, since they appear to actively fight HSV when taken in combination with dairy.

Wearing sunscreen is one step that can help prevent cold sores.
Wearing sunscreen is one step that can help prevent cold sores.

If you feel an outbreak of cold sores coming on, make a yogurt compress or paste and apply it directly to the cold sores. You can also rub lemon balm, grapefruit seed extract, or echinacea on the site, or use a teabag as a compress, since tannic acid appears to suppress outbreaks. Some people also find the application of ice useful, since it slows the onset of cold sores and tends to shrink them as well as treating the pain.

A compress made with yogurt can help fight cold sore outbreaks.
A compress made with yogurt can help fight cold sore outbreaks.

If you have a full blown outbreak, treat the pain with over the counter remedies for cold sores like numbing creams and compounds such as docosonal which can help to attack the virus which is causing the cold sores. You can also use astringents like witch hazel or domebro to dry out the cold sores, with the goal of shrinking the sore. Some people also find success with Vaseline® or other greasy moisturizers which protect the cold sore while it is tender and promote rapid healing of the lesion.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon355366

My doctor told me to stay out of the sun or use plenty of chap stick. I have been battling sinus infections for the past six weeks and have been on two different antibiotics.

Less than one week after finishing the two week regimen of antibiotics, I started in with canker sores and sinus pain. For the past few days I have been eating grapefruit and now I’ve been having that familiar tingling near the opening of my nostrils and my upper lip forewarning of an impending cold sore. Now I have to go to the store. I have yogurt, but only tomato soup available.

The odd thing is, until about five years ago, I never, ever had a cold sore. But about when I turned 59, I got my first one ever. I had a very stressful and also somewhat labor intensive job. I think that contributed. I retired about eight months ago thinking the lack of stress from that job would help, but I am continuously sick with sinus infections. One right after the other.

surreallife

On a few occasions when I went to the mountains and was exposed to wind and sun I would get a cold sore. It was not clear to me why. I knew that lack of sleep and stress would cause an outbreak, but now I know that exposure to sun, and I think in combination with wind causes an outbreak too. Thank you, I will make sure I use lip gloss with sunscreen from now on when I venture into the great outdoors.

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    • A cold sore.
      A cold sore.
    • Wearing sunscreen is one step that can help prevent cold sores.
      By: seen
      Wearing sunscreen is one step that can help prevent cold sores.
    • A compress made with yogurt can help fight cold sore outbreaks.
      By: creative soul
      A compress made with yogurt can help fight cold sore outbreaks.
    • The witch hazel plant provides the astringent commonly used to cleanse and disinfect skin.
      By: dianamower
      The witch hazel plant provides the astringent commonly used to cleanse and disinfect skin.
    • Lysine supplements might help treat cold sores.
      By: Steve Silver Smith
      Lysine supplements might help treat cold sores.
    • Grapefruit seed extract may be used as a remedy for cold sores.
      By: volff
      Grapefruit seed extract may be used as a remedy for cold sores.
    • Acidophilus supplements may reduce the longevity of a cold sore.
      By: womue
      Acidophilus supplements may reduce the longevity of a cold sore.
    • A dab of Vaseline to a cold sore keeps it moist and prevents cracking and bleeding.
      By: Graça Victoria
      A dab of Vaseline to a cold sore keeps it moist and prevents cracking and bleeding.