How do you get rid of cold sores? Without a medicine?

Question

I was diagnosed with mono a few days ago. Today I developed a cold sore above my lip.

Could this be connected to the mono? Or is there another way cold sores occur?

What are some ways you can treat cold sores? How long would those take?

Also, is there a way to treat cold sores without a medicine? I've heard of Abreva, but in Walgreens a really tiny bottle is over $20. Is it worth the money? Or is there a more effective herbal way?

Thanks so much!

Answer 1

I've never used Abreva, but I've seen Answers that raved about it and said it worked faster than anything else. I can't imagine it would be worth $20 just for one cold sore, but that is up to you.

There are L-lysine creams sold at health food stores that work quite well. (about $7) Also taking the amino acid L-lysine as a softgel supplement is effective at healing and preventing cold sores. Most folks who take that are people who get them frequently. It varies, but you should get relief from the cream almost immediately & healing can take from 3 to 7 days.

In my personal experience, one is more likely to get frequent cold sores if their immunity is not up to par. So, I would say, yes, if you are sort of run down and not feeling really healthy you are more likely to get these sores. L-lysine will help combat the herpes virus. So will Elderberry liquid extract and/or red marine algae capsules - both fight viruses.

Do everything you know to get your health back - avoid processed foods and sugary drinks. Get lots of rest. Drink more water than you want. Eat a fresh, raw salad every day.

Edit: Elderberry syrup is available at all health food stores. The plant is Sambucus nigra. Most well-known brand is Sambucol, available worldwide: http://www.sambucol.com/ Red marine algae costs more and is possibly more potent. You can buy at VitaCost: http://www.vitacost.com/Source-Naturals-... Also at health stores like Wild Oats.

Answer 2

for the cold sores Earl Grey Tea bags will help( needs to be wet, so a used one is fine) . Also look for the rock salt used for deodorants and wet then apply

Answer 3

Try applying tea tree oil. It is an anti bacterial, and anti fungal.

Answer 4

Rubbing alcohol will dry it up. Take a cotton ball, soak it in rubbing alcohol ($1 at the drug store) and dab it on the cold sore. It hurts but it works. Then put Neosporin on the cold sore. You can get the Neosporin at the drug store or Target, (over the counter medication in a tube about $5.)  It will heal but it takes time.   Cold sores are caused by a virus; the virus sits in the skin and comes back. So you will continue to get cold sores. They will pop up.  It could be connected to the mono, but I am not certain. Cold sores come when you are stressed out, too. Maybe when you were told you got mono, you got stressed out and it popped out.

I lived in France. They have a vaccine for cold sores. but I do not think they have it in the USA. (Luis Pasteur invented it)

(Also there is a light treatment that helps a lot, but I never used it. You sit in front of this light and let it shine on the cold sore to clear it up.)

When the cold sore heals up, keep putting rubbing alcohol on the site. That way it will dry it up forever. That's what I did. Mine are gone now, after years of treating them.

Answer 5

Try using blistex.

Answer 6

Poor dear, Abreva isn't really for healing cold sores that are already developed - they are for keeping them from developing. As in, once it tingles you put it on and it stops from popping open.  Once it opens up, abreva doens't do jack.  

However:  ANYTHING is worth getting rid of one, I had them too and not again for the last 5 years.  $20 is cheap.

***** GO TO DOCTOR!!!  Denovir (perscription) works best.

p.s. the sore can last WEEKS if untreated

Answer 7

Dont use abreva, not worth it, not guaranteed to work, might just make it worse. I have also used rubbing alcohol and found it very successful, I tried may other things including herbal supplements, rubbing alcohol worked the best, apply large amounts, let it sting away, when the sore is closed up keep applying several times a day, keep it clean and dry. I did this months ago and havnt gotten another one, if you see another one start appearing, use the rubbing alcohol again. Im pretty sure this will work for you, do not combine it with anything else, not even neosporin in my opinion, the rubbing alcohol is enough.

You can find liquid extracts and maybe oils at an herbal supplement store, ie. vitamin shoppe, gnc, nutrition stores, vitamin stores. Not sure about the oils, might need to get those online somewhere. Stick with the rubbing alcohol, no herbal supplements are needed, just some daily antiviral like garlic, cinnamon, olive leaf, licorice root woud be great.

Answer 8

I get cold sores/ fever blisters like twice a year. And they are awful!! I know how you feel.

Here is what I have done to help:

Abreva helps but it is pretty expensive so when that is not available I have put hydrogen peroxide on a qtip and just keep putting that on there and it will go away. It will take a couple of days no matter which method you choose.

Carmax and Blistex helps too. There is also this campophenic (spelling?) and I think that is just as good as Abreva and it is like $5.

The most effective though is the hydrogen peroxide.

Answer 9

Breathing exercise is the best. You can also try these home remedies.

http://myblogonbeauty.blogspot.com/2006/...

http://myblogonbeauty.blogspot.com/2006/...