How to Get Rid of Cold Sores With Rubbing Alcohol
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, a virus which lies dormant in many people until a dip in the body’s defences can cause the dreaded “fever blisters” to appear. They most commonly appear on the lips, and their arrival is preceded by a tingling sensation. A few days later, the red, painful-looking spot manifests. They are visible for about a week, and during this period the blister bursts and dries up until the scab falls off. Topical alcohol can speed up the process, so that you get rid of your cold sore much sooner.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Pour a small amount of alcohol into the lid of the bottle or a small container. Use benzyl alcohol or isopropyl rubbing alcohol, which are available at pharmacies.
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Dip the cotton swab into the alcohol.
Dab the affected area with the cotton swab. This might sting a little. If it’s very bothersome, apply an ice cube. The cold can also help to get rid of the cold sore 1.
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Repeat several times a day, until the cold sore starts to disappear, which could be in as little as 24 hours.
Tips
Cold sores appear when your immune system suffers due to stress, fatigue or an illness. The best prevention is by ensuring you get enough rest and consuming vitamin supplements to help your body to fight the virus. vitamin C and vitamin B12 are especially beneficial to the immune system.
Alcohol swabs can be purchased prepackaged from pharmacies or on-line stores. These are handy when travelling or to take into work.
Warnings
Cold sores are also contagious, so avoid kissing anyone while you have one or sharing things like lip balm, towels and cups. If you use lip balm on your cold sore, throw it away after the sore clears to prevent reinfecting yourself.
Avoid touching the cold sore, to prevent spreading the infection. Wash your hands after touching it and never touch your eyes afterwards, since there is a small but possible risk of spreading the infection, which can lead to serious problems.
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References
- WorldwideHealth.com: Getting Rid of Cold Sores This Quick and Easy Way
- Ramchandani M, Kong M, Tronstein E, et al. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Shedding in Tears and Nasal and Oral Mucosa of Healthy Adults. Sex Transm Dis. 2016;43(12):756-760. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000522
- Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). Cold sores: Overview. 2018.
- Montgomery-cranny JA, Wallace A, Rogers HJ, Hughes SC, Hegarty AM, Zaitoun H. Management of recurrent aphthous stomatitis in children. Dent Update. 2015;42(6):564-6, 569-72. doi:10.12968/denu.2015.42.6.564
- Krissel JD, Bhatia A, and Thomas A. Cold sore susceptibility gene-1 genotypes affect the expression of herpes labialis in unrelated human subjects. Hum Genome Var. 2014; 1: 14024. doi:10.1038/hgv.2014.24
- Fatahzadeh M and Schwartz RA. Human herpes simplex virus infections: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;57(5):737-63. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2007.06.027
- Formica M, Kabbara K, Clark R, Mcalindon T. Can clinical trials requiring frequent participant contact be conducted over the Internet? Results from an online randomized controlled trial evaluating a topical ointment for herpes labialis. J Med Internet Res. 2004;6(1):e6.
- American Academy of Dermatologists. Cold sores: Overview.
- American Academy of Dermatologists. Cold sores: Signs and symptoms.
- American Academy of Dermatologists. Cold sores: Tips for managing.
Tips
- Cold sores appear when your immune system suffers due to stress, fatigue or an illness. The best prevention is by ensuring you get enough rest and consuming vitamin supplements to help your body to fight the virus. vitamin C and vitamin B12 are especially beneficial to the immune system.
- Alcohol swabs can be purchased prepackaged from pharmacies or on-line stores. These are handy when travelling or to take into work.
Warnings
- Cold sores are also contagious, so avoid kissing anyone while you have one or sharing things like lip balm, towels and cups. If you use lip balm on your cold sore, throw it away after the sore clears to prevent reinfecting yourself.
- Avoid touching the cold sore, to prevent spreading the infection. Wash your hands after touching it and never touch your eyes afterwards, since there is a small but possible risk of spreading the infection, which can lead to serious problems.