10 Best Cold Sore Remedies

cold sore remedies

In this article, we’ll discuss the best cold sore remedies for quick relief.

What Are Cold Sores?

Cold sores are small blisters that begin to form on and around the surface of the lips. Also known as fever blisters, cold sores lead to the formation of either single blisters or lumps of blisters. These blisters consist of some liquid infused within them.

The blisters can break due to itching the area of your lips where the infection has formed. Once broken, expect the liquid to spread around the lips and lead to more blisters if not taken care of in a hygienic manner.

Under the broken blister, a flaky and rough surface will be present, which is referred to as the actual cold sore.

How Do Cold Sores Happen?

This infection can easily be transmitted from a person who has HSV 1 (Herpes Simplex Virus) to another person via lip-locking. Thus, it can be classified as a contagious disease.

Usually, the immune system of the human body is equipped to fight such viruses. But it can take up to a month for the body to completely flush the virus out of the system; in rare cases even more than a month.

For this reason, cold sore patients turn their backs to some kind of medication that can help alleviate the condition.

Keep reading to learn more about the best cold sore remedies.

Best Cold Sore Remedies

1. Valtrex (Valacyclovir)

This is the go-to medication for cold sore victims. Consuming dosages of 2 grams, two times a day, ideally spaced at an interval of 12 hours, proves to successfully combat the virus. You must remember that Valtrex cannot kill the virus completely.

As the body is simultaneously working on combating the virus, at the same time Valtrex is helping to control and reduce the symptoms of cold sores.

Valtrex cannot be given to children under the age of three. Also, this tablet can be had before or after food, it does not matter. Simply make sure you do not miss a dose so that you can complete the entire prescription uninterrupted for the best results.

2. Quantum Health Super Lysine + Tablets

These tablets consist of lysine, which is an essential amino acid. Not only do these lysine tablets prove highly effective in supporting and strengthening your immune system due to the presence of nutritious elements such as Vitamin C, Licorice root and Echinacea, but it also provides safeguarding and combative traits against fever blister flare-ups.

Worldwide researchers claim that evidence regarding the effectiveness of lysine tablets is lacking, but one can opt to consume them if their immune system is weaker than usual and they need to equip their body with necessary elements to fight developing cold sores.

3. Releev 1 Day Cold Sore Treatment

This is a liquid-like cream that can be applied on the cold sores present on and around the lips, while also being safe to apply on cold sores that have managed to appear inside the mouth; making it one of the best cold sore remedies.

As long as you make sure that you do not swallow the ointment, you should be safe. The active ingredient present in this ointment is known as benzalkonium chloride, which takes the role of organic salt.

Due to the strong effects of this ingredient, a patient can expect relief from cold sore symptoms in 24 hours. It is a brown colored liquid that has the looks of vanilla extract. But once applied, it dries on the skin leaving a transparent ointment layer. As it is a one-day remedy, it must be applied several times a day for best effects.

4. Orajel Touch-Free Cold Sore Treatment

This ointment has been formulated specially to treat cold sores that are turning out to be painful. The whole point of this ointment is to provide quick-relief against painful symptoms of cold sores.

The formula consists of two topical antiseptics known as benzalkonium chloride and benzocaine. These ingredients are the main reason why the pain is numbed and the patient can bear the weight that the body requires to heal the cold cores.

It is a transparent ointment that dries as soon as applied on and around the cold sores. To ensure that there is no hand contact with the ointment, the manufacturers have provided 4 single vials along with an applicator.

5. Herp Rescue

This is a perfect solution for cold sore patients who prefer to pop a pill rather than go through the struggle of applying ointment on their lips. In fact, applying these medications on the lips can also lead to the entry of the ointment in the mouth, causing an undesirable taste and affected taste buds.

As the term suggests, ‘Herp’ Rescue, this medication has been designed to tackle different kinds of herpes, shingles, and cold sores.

This amalgamation of Lysine, Vitamin C, Zinc, Olive Leaf Extract, and several other effective ingredients prove highly effective if this medicine is consumed during early symptoms of the infection outbreak.

6. Zilactin Cold Sore Gel

This gel has been formulated to help limit the spreading of cold sores, while also allowing victims to eat, talk and drink much more comfortably due to the formation of a protective layer over the affected spots; making it one of the best cold sore remedies.

The main active ingredient present in the composition of this gel is known as Benzyl Alcohol and it assures relief from painful cold sore symptoms for around 6 hours.

Zilactin can be applied inside or outside the mouth. It also helps to reduce the severity of cold sores that contribute to gum irritations and decaying gums. Pain-relief, healing effects, and safety from the contraction of further infections on the lips are assured once you begin applying Zilactin.

7. Famciclovir (Famvir), Penciclovir (Denavir) and Acyclovir (Zovirax)

These are oral antiviral medications that can help reduce regular outbreaks. Only use them if you have several cold sore outbreaks in a single year.

8. Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen

Both these medications are associated with pain reduction that arises on the cold sore spot.

9. Propolis

This is also known as synthetic beeswax. You can purchase a product that consists of 3 percent of ointment. As long as you apply it before the symptoms of cold sores start to develop, it will prove to shorten the overall infection duration.

10. Rhubarb and Sage

This is a cream that combines both these ingredients. The properties of this cream when the two ingredients are combined is so strong that its effectiveness is considered equivalent to that of Acyclovir.

Cold Sore Remedies: Wrap Up

Some people opt for medicinal remedies whereas some are in the search of remedies that involve natural care and no application of laboratory-made products.

These individuals must apply sunscreen to reduce future outbreaks on the lips. They must also stress less, apply aloe vera, apply ice, and most importantly, lemon balm. Lemon balm is associated with swelling, redness, and itchiness reduction on blisters caused due to cold sores.

All cold sore victims must apply a cool compress, avoid washing their cold sores aggressively, stay away from acidic food, and also refrain from partaking in oral sex.


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