Sorting out the medicine from the myth
When you have a cold sore, you want to act on it quickly. You may end up trying home cold sore remedies that friends, family or health websites recommend, but find that these aren’t clinically proven to reduce healing time.
Some home remedies for cold sores may only offer temporary symptom relief. With lots of anecdotal evidence out there, let’s sort the medicines from the myths.
You can help stop the spread and protect others from the virus by following these simple and effective tips.
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Lemon balm
Applying lemon balm to your cold sore might reduce irritation, but it won’t help against the virus.
Tea bags
Using tea bags may cool down any redness around the cold sore but it won’t fight the virus.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is known to have antiseptic properties. Although it has shown activity versus HSV-1 in the laboratory, it has not been clinically proven to heal a cold sore.
Vanilla extract
Pure vanilla extract is alcohol based. As an astringent, it may dry out - but not heal - a cold sore. Just like rubbing alcohol or witch hazel.
Salt water
Salt water affects the environment around the virus so it can't thrive, which might help dry up the cold sore, but it can also be painful on your skin.
Petrolium jelly
Petroleum Jelly may help to soften the skin and provide a protective layer against infection, but it will not shorten the healing time of the cold sore.
Lysine
Lysine is an amino acid that might help prevent the multiplication and progression of the virus. It's found in eggs, yoghurt, milk and cheese, as well as in supplement form.
Although these home remedies for a cold sore may help with temporary symptom relief, they are not clinically proven to help treat and help reduce healing time of cold sores like anti-viral creams such as Zovirax.
If you have any questions regarding cold sore treatments and remedies, your pharmacist is the best person to offer advice.
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Zovirax cold sore cream contains aciclovir. Always read the label. Trade marks are owned by or licensed to the Haleon group of companies.
