Home Remedies for Cold Sores with Vinegar
Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters that can be extremely painful. These unsightly blisters can appear on the face, lips, cheeks, nostrils, and even inside the mouth. Cold sores can also become infected and need medical attention. Vinegar is a great home remedy for getting rid of cold sores because of its acidity. Viruses like cold sores cannot survive in acidic environments.
Normal cooking vinegar is the most common type of vinegar found in a household kitchen and is very effective in fighting nasty cold sores. Vinegar not only dries out the cold sore but also disinfects the sore to prevent it from becoming infected. Take a clean cotton ball and dip it in a spoonful of vinegar. Gently rub the cotton ball on the cold sore. Reapply the vinegar with a fresh cotton ball two to three times a day until the cold sore is completely dried out and disappears.
Apple cider vinegar is one of the oldest cold sore household remedies because of its effectiveness. Take a cotton ball with a few drops of apple cider vinegar and apply to the cold sore daily. Be sure to avoid applying apple cider vinegar directly to open sores because it will sting. You may also mix the vinegar with lemon juice for added effectiveness.
Apple cider vinegar can also prevent cold sores from even developing. During season changes, when cold sores are most common, drink one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar daily. The taste of apple cider vinegar is bitter, but it does wonderful things for your body such as preventing cold sores, hair loss, bad teeth, and skin disorders.
Keep in mind that every individual will see different results. Some will see a dramatic drying of their cold sore shortly after applying the vinegar. Others may not see a change for several days or even weeks. Individuals with sensitive skin should monitor their cold sore closely after applying the vinegar.