Cold Sores: How to Treat and Prevent
- Alex Kelly
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 22
What are Cold Sores?
Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are small, fluid-filled blisters that typically form on or around the lips, but can also appear on the nose, chin, or cheeks. They're caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) — most often HSV-1, though HSV-2 (typically associated with genital herpes) can also cause them.
After the initial infection, the herpes virus stays dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate during times of stress, illness, or fatigue, causing new cold sores—often in the same spot. There is currently no cure to fully eliminate the virus once infected.
Cold Sore Triggers
Cold sores can be triggered by anything that weakens your immune system or stresses your body. Like...
Stress (emotional or physical)
Illness
Sun exposure or sunburn
Fatigue or lack of sleep
Hormonal changes
Injury to the lips or mouth
Weakened immune system
5 Stages of Cold Sores
Stage 1 (Prodrome) : Usually 24 hours before any visible signs appear. You may feel tingling, itching, burning. This is the BEST phase to start treating!!!
Stage 2 (Blistering): Small-fluid filled blisters form in clusters long the lip borer, causing redness and swelling
Stage 3 (Oozing): Blisters break open, releasing a clear or yellowish fluid. This is the most contagious and painful stage!
Stage 4 (Crusting): The fluid dries, forming a scab.
Stage 5 (Healing): The scrub gradually falls off
The Most Effective Cold Sore Treatment
This is only coming from personal experience, but the most effective treatment I have found is laser therapy. Many dentists offer this service
There is speculation that a deficiency in amino acid can trigger cold sore outbreaks.
L-lysine is an essential amino acid. HSV-1 needs another amino acid called arginine to grow and replicate. L-lysine competes with arginine for absorption in the body, so by increasing lysine intake, you make lower arginine levels - making it harder for the virus to replicate.
This study reported higher doses of L-lysine (1,000mg 3x/day) can reduce frequency and severity of outbreaks.
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy, specifically low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation, may help reduce healing time, decrease pain and inflammation, suppress viral activity, and may prevent future outbreaks.
I have both of these, and love them both. Lumebox is on the pricer side, but its independently lab tested for EMF levels.
To my knowledge, there is no publicly available data or independent lab results on EMF emissions or testing protocols for Usuie, but it does come recommended by Dr. Judson Wall - a phenomenal, and highly regarded, holistic dentist.
Immunity Support
Since cold sores can be triggered by anything that weakens the immune system or stresses the body it’s important to ensure you are supporting your immune system daily - not just during an outbreak.
Immune support will look different for everyone depending on their preferences, lifestyle, and individual needs.
Some general basics include:
Eating whole, real foods
Getting plenty of restorative sleep
Drinking lots of water
Daily sunshine exposure
Managing stress
Limiting toxins
Vitamin C, Vitamin D
Zinc, Magnesium
View my full immunity guide here.
Lemon Balm
A 1999, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized German trial studied the efficacy of a topical cream made from the standardized dried leaf extract of lemon balm (Melissa officials) for the treatment of coldsores. The cream was applied topically 4x/day for 5 days. There was a significant difference in the size of the affected area and blisters compared to the placebo by two days of therapy.
Bee Propolis
Clinical studies indicate propolis‑based lip balm can outperform or match antiviral topical creams, with good safety and potential to reduce healing time in cases intolerant to standard antivirals.
You could also make a lip mask with Beekeeper's Naturals propolis honey
Tea Tree oil
Tea tree oil may help cold sores heal faster. Lab studies show it kills HSV-1 and HSV-2, and one small trial found it shortened healing time by several days. Many users report it helps when applied early, but it should be diluted to avoid skin irritation.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil shows strong antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus in lab studies, suggesting it may help reduce cold sore severity and duration. However, more clinical research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
Additional Products to Consider
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