Cold Sore Home Remedies

Lots of people like to try alternative or home remedies to treat their cold sores.  While it's true that these cold sore remedies aren't scientifically proven to work, they are safe and some of them will help reduce symptoms.  Plus, there's really no downside to trying them

Some of these cold sore remedies are specifically for fighting the pain that accompanies an attack.  The most basic thing to use is an over-the-counter painkiller, like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen.  Also, creams like topical lidocaine and benzyl alcohol can help reduce the pain of cold sores.  Another thing some people like to do is apply heat or cold.  Use a warm compact or an ice pack on the affected area.  Just be careful not to burn or freeze yourself!

Other cold sore home remedies try to prevent them from occurring in the first place.  Some people believe that taking a multi-vitamin or a vitamin supplement can prevent outbreaks.  The most popular vitamins to take for cold sores are A, C, E, and the mineral nutrient zinc.  However, doctors warn against taking vitamin supplements in too large of a dose, meaning a multi-vitamin is healthier to take than a vitamin that provides several times the recommended daily amount.  And even if you're taking a lower dose multi-vitamin, be sure to not take more than directed.

Another strategy is to use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or aloe vera.  Simply applying these on the cold sore might make them heal faster.  Additionally, there are a wide variety of balms that people like to try.  Lemon balm is a proven anti-viral agent, so it might be effective.  If you use any of these treatments, try to apply them as soon as the cold sore appears.  The longer you wait, the less you can do to remedy them.

There are many other herbal and amino acids supplements that are commonly used as cold sore remedies.  Small doses of lysine, an amino acid, taken at the beginning of a cold sore outbreak might help.  And there's evidence that lactoferrin, a milk protein, can fight cold sores.  Likewise, there are many herbal supplements, including echinacea, resveratol, and the plant prunella vulgaris (often marketed as "selfheal"), that have value as cold sore remedies.  Look for these products at a drug store or a health food store.

To repeat, many of these home remedies aren't scientifically proven to treat cold sores, but some will help and all of them are safe when used correctly.  So give them a try, even though it's probably best to consider these remedies supplemental to the more traditional approaches.