Cold Sore Natural Remedies: What Helps and When to See a Doctor

A cold sore usually heals on its own within about 10 days: the most useful things you can do are act at the first tingle, avoid touching it, protect your lip and avoid passing the virus on, especially to babies. No remedy, natural or otherwise, gets rid of the virus. Essential oils are not needed and call for real caution on the lips. Here is what I do and what I recommend.

What is a cold sore?

A cold sore is caused by the herpes simplex virus, usually type 1 (HSV-1). Most adults carry it, often without ever having symptoms. The virus stays dormant in the body and sometimes wakes up, always following the same stages:

• Tingling: itching, burning or tightness on the edge of the lip, sometimes with tiredness.
• Blisters: small fluid-filled blisters appear.
• Scabs: the blisters dry and crust over, then the scab falls off, usually without a scar.

What to do at the first tingle

• Ask your pharmacist straight away. Antiviral creams can shorten healing time, but the NHS notes they do not always work once blisters have appeared.
• Do not touch the sore, and wash your hands with soap and water after applying anything.
• Dab creams on instead of rubbing them in.
• Clean gently with water and a mild soap, then pat dry. Avoid alcohol-based antiseptics, steroid creams and make-up on the sore.
• Ease the pain with paracetamol or ibuprofen if needed (no aspirin for under-16s), drink plenty of fluids, and avoid acidic or salty foods if they sting.

How to avoid spreading it

Cold sores are contagious from the first tingle until they have completely healed.

• No kissing, and never kiss a baby: in newborns, herpes can be very dangerous.
• Do not share towels, cups, cutlery or lipstick.
• Avoid close contact with people who have eczema.
• If you wear contact lenses, never wet them with saliva.

Fewer flare-ups

Common triggers include tiredness, stress, another illness, fever, periods and sunshine. My winter habits:

• a lip balm with SPF 15 or higher outdoors, especially in the mountains;
• sleep and breaks when I feel run down;
• a protective balm or petroleum jelly to prevent chapped lips.

What about essential oils for cold sores?

You will often read that a drop of tea tree or ravintsara oil clears a cold sore. I prefer to be honest: the evidence in people is weak, and essential oils can irritate skin that is already damaged. Anses, the French health safety agency, warns never to apply them undiluted to mucous membranes, and the edge of the lips is very close to one. Oil applied around the mouth can also be swallowed by accident, and the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health stresses that tea tree oil should never be swallowed.

My tip

I suggest keeping essential oils for other uses and relying on what is proven: act early with your pharmacist, don't touch, protect your lip and look after yourself. A warm herbal tea, rest and a protective balm do a lot for comfort while it heals.

Precautions

• Pregnancy, breastfeeding: talk to your doctor or midwife, especially late in pregnancy.
• Children: no essential oils on a child's face; see a doctor for a first cold sore or sore gums.
• Asthma, epilepsy, medication: ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any essential oil.
• Never swallow essential oils.

When to see a doctor

See a GP or doctor if the sore has not started to heal within 10 days, if it is very large or painful, if you are not sure it is a cold sore, if you or your child have swollen, painful gums and mouth sores, or if you have a weakened immune system (for example from chemotherapy or diabetes). Get medical help the same day if a sore is near your eye or you have eye pain or blurred vision. Newborns, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system may need hospital care. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral tablets for large, painful or frequent cold sores.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a cold sore last?

Usually about 10 days from the first tingle until the scab falls off. See a doctor if it has not started to heal within 10 days.

How can I get rid of a cold sore faster?

Act at the first tingle: a pharmacist can suggest an antiviral cream, which works best when applied early. Do not touch the sore and protect your lip.

Are cold sores contagious?

Yes, from the first tingle until fully healed. Avoid kissing, especially babies, and do not share towels, cups or lipstick.

Can I use essential oils on a cold sore?

I do not recommend it: the evidence is weak and essential oils can irritate the lip or be swallowed. Never undiluted, never on children or during pregnancy.

Read next

• Dry Skin in Winter: Gentle Natural Care for Your Face and Body
• Ravintsara Essential Oil: Uses, Benefits and Safety
• Are Essential Oils Safe? The Safety Rules to Know

This article gives general information and does not replace advice from a healthcare professional. Sources: NHS, Cold sores; Santé.fr, Cold sores (in French); Anses, Essential oils: risks and precautions (in French); NCCIH, Tea tree oil.