It took a lot of cold sores to come up with what I have found as the best one-two punch to get rid of a cold sore fast.  Seems like every time I got a cold sore I was either at work or sleeping, which means I was already several hours behind in treating that first tingle. 

Each time I developed a cold sore, I was able to hone in on the best home remedies to treat it.  I have put together a first aid kit of sorts that you can assemble ahead of time to keep at home and the office, so you can jump at the first sign that a cold sore is coming.

The kit includes:  lysine, nail polish remover ( acetone is ok), tea tree oil, and lip balm ( Carmex, cocoa butter, Blistex, etc.)   Assemble these items into a sealed plastic bag or Tupperware container and keep it handy.  That way you won't be digging around desperately trying to find all the items at the last minute.

The trick to eliminating a cold sore quickly is to keep after it, like "white on rice" if you will.  While a cold sore will rarely disappear overnight, you can significantly reduce it's presence with the above-referenced items.

As soon as I've determined that I have a cold sore, I immediately begin taking lysine.  Perhaps you've heard elsewhere that lysine blocks L-arginine.  L-arginine is required for the herpes virus to reproduce.  In other words, stop the L-arginine, stop the virus.  I know that some people take lysine everyday as a preventative.  I have opted not to do that since L-arginine is necessary for good heart health among other things, so I don't want to block it all the time. However, when I do take the lysine, I usually triple the daily recommended dose.

Not listed in the bag of goodies is a frozen gel pack.  Naturally, it is difficult to keep a gel pack frozen in a first aid kit, but I do reach for it as often as possible, particularly in the early stages of a cold sore.  The herpes virus cannot replicate with cold tempuratures.  Keep the gel pack or at least an ice cube on the area for as long as you can stand it as frequently as practical.  It also aids in reducing any swelling that may accompany some cold sores.

The third item, nail polish remover, is the ultimate secret weapon!  Keep it close by as you will be applying it frequently.  Usually every half hour or so, I use a fresh tissue or cotton ball ( real cotton, not synthetic) and dab it only on the affected area.  It may burn a bit, but toughen up, because it will dry out the cold sore faster than anything.  I have found no difference between the acetone and non-acetone varieties as it relates to drying out a cold sore.

After the nail polish remover, I dab a bit of tea tree oil on the area.  You do not need to use a lot.  Tea tree oil not only helps keep the virus from spreading, but also keeps the risk of infection to a minimum.  Be sure the tea tree oil is formulated for application to the skin

If you've followed the above directions, your cold sore will begin to dry up like a dried apple doll head.  That's okay as you will be using the lip balm to protect drying out the rest of your lips.  Almost any kind is okay, but try to stay away from the flavored varieties.  I like to use Bag Balm or Carmex.  Always use a clean finger to apply the balm.  Never use it directly on your lips as you risk re-infecting yourself everytime you apply it.

Again, the trick is to have all these items at the ready at the first sign of a cold sore.