You need to put a small quantity of salt directly onto the cold sore using a cotton swab or your (clean) finger, and leave it on for about 10 minutes, holding it there with your finger if necessary. If the cold sore isn’t moist enough for the salt to stick, add a little water. Repeat this two or three times a day.

You’re certain to experience some burning and discomfort, particularly if the cold sore is raw. This is perfectly alright and you shouldn’t be concerned, unless it becomes extreme. In that case, rinse the salt off immediately.

Some people find that mixing the salt with toothpaste (not the gel kind) or applying it with a wedge of lime gives greater relief than salt alone.

Always be certain that your hands are clean when applying salt to your cold sore to prevent the transfer of bacteria. Also, if you hold an ice cube to your cold sore before using the salt it will help to numb the area and reduce the stinging.

A study by the Northeastern Ohio University demonstrated that resveratrol cream applied anywhere from two to five times a day was effective at suppressing the formation of cold sores if it was used soon enough after becoming infected, typically less than six hours. Indeed, it was shown to be as effective as some prescription strength creams, and without any side effects. Their conclusion was that resveratrol is effective in controlling the virus that leads to the formation of cold sores.

Resveratrol is available as a nutritional supplement, and there is also a prescription strength cream which is available only with your doctor’s recommendation. You should discuss the use of this product with your doctor in any case, because it’s still not generally accepted as a cold sore treatment.

Put a few drops on a cotton swab and press it against your cold sore for about 30 seconds to a minute. Your lip will feel refreshed, free of pain, and nice smelling too. It also appears to have the effect of making the cold sore shrink a bit, although only temporarily.

You do need to be cautious when you’re using peppermint oil though, because an excessive amount of it can be unsafe, even though it’s a natural treatment. So make certain that you only take the recommended dose, and only use it on the surface, don’t ever swallow it. Peppermint oil is absorbed through the skin so even small amounts could be toxic. So although it sounds like it would be effective, you might want to hold off on using peppermint oil until studies establish that it’s safe.

Lysine is available over the counter at most health stores. You can add it to your food or use it on its own, whichever you choose. You should take lysine in between meals, ideally on an empty stomach. If you get cold sores on a regular basis, take 1,500 to 3,000 mg of lysine each day to prevent an outbreak. If you feel a cold sore starting up, take 3,000 mg a day until the sore becomes scabbed. You will have to play around with the dosage to find what works best for you. You can also apply lysine directly to the sore.

Talk to your doctor about lysine before taking it, particularly if you’re pregnant or nursing. Taking large doses of amino acids for an extended period of time is never a good idea.

It works because it has antiviral properties, which means that it fights the infection that is causing the cold sore and doesn’t just cover up the symptoms. Lemon balm contains a high concentration of polyphenols, which appear to minimize herpes outbreaks.

All you have to do is apply the lemon balm straight onto the affected area. Make certain that you reapply regularly throughout the day if you want to completely eliminate your cold sore. It can be applied topically in cream form or you can brew it up as a tea and drink it. You can also use lemon balm as a preventative measure so you avoid future outbreaks.

When you feel the first signs of a cold sore, usually a tingling sensation on your lip, rub some ice on the area as soon as possible. It will lessen the swelling and relieve the pain temporarily. For many people this will prevent the cold sore from even forming. If you use a bag of frozen vegetables or something similar instead of ice cubes, be sure that you throw it away afterwards so you don’t spread the virus.

Ice is also effective at treating a cold sore once it has actually appeared. Wrap an ice cube in a cloth and hold it against the outbreak for as long as you are able to, but preferably for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat three or four times each day for a couple of days or until the cold sore is gone, which should be faster than it would be otherwise.

Some people claim that they never get a cold sore in the same spot again after using this treatment. By using this technique regularly for the treatment of cold sores, the problem will actually diminish in frequency.

You can use a garlic clove cut in two and apply it directly to the cold sore for 10 minutes. Repeat three or four times a day. Be aware that this will burn; it’s not a pleasant experience, but it works. Or you may want to eat the garlic instead. The downside here is the garlic breath you’ll be emitting, and it can also cause nausea and damage to the stomach if you eat too much of it. Or you can try rubbing a clove of garlic on the soles of your feet. In about 20 minutes it will enter your bloodstream and you’ll even be able to taste it in your mouth!

Some people find that taking garlic extract in capsule form is just as effective, particularly when they feel the first signs of a cold sore coming on. Look for brands that contain higher levels of allicin, the active ingredient in garlic. The benefits here are that you won’t have bad breath and the garlic will be digested more easily.

You simply break off a small piece of leaf from an aloe vera plant and apply the juice directly onto your cold sore. Repeat this a few times a day. You can also use bottled aloe vera gel. Or another option is to drink medicinal strength aloe vera juice.

This form of treatment is particularly effective if you use it at the first sign of a cold sore, but will also help heal it later on, as well. It will start the healing process right away and keep the sore from emerging.

Start by placing a tea bag in some hot water for a few minutes. This is important in order to release the tannic acids. Pull out the tea bag and squeeze out the excess water. Let it come down in temperature until it’s warm but not hot enough to burn you, then place it on the cold sore and leave it there for about 20 minutes to half an hour. This will dry up the sore and relieve the pain, although it will still need to finish the scabbing process. Have some paper towel handy because it can get messy.

Some people believe that Earl Grey tea is more effective than other types of tea due to the bergamot oil that it contains. People who use this method recommend that you completely cool the steeped tea bag in the fridge before applying it to the cold sore.