You really can stop cold sores (fever blisters) before they erupt--without resorting to any of the risky remedies posted on various websites. My simple solution is based on the concept of transdermal absorption. Don't underestimate what can be absorbed through your skin.
Estimates of rates of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection vary widely from sixty to ninety percent worldwide, and from about twenty percent of American children to over eighty-five percent of senior citizens. Therefore, it appears that most of us will suffer from this nuisance sooner or later There is really no reason for embarrassment, other than the cosmetic effect and the fact that fever blisters seem to appear when we are already stressed about something else.
Although there is said to be no cure, there are many products available that are claimed to shorten the duration and make us more comfortable in the meantime. But the remedy I have discovered beats that hands down.
As soon as you feel the unmistakable tingling sensation and bump under the skin, you can stop it short. All you need is a cotton swab soaked with mouthwash containing at least 14% alcohol. Hold it gently on the spot for at least five minutes. This will allow enough time for the alcohol to soak through your skin or lip and destroy the pesky virus. Dabbing it on does not work. You must keep the spot wet long enough to let it soak in.
You can even use vodka (plain ethyl alcohol). It doesn't have to be full strength. It can be diluted with two parts of water and still be strong enough to kill the virus. Please do not use 70% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) for this purpose. It is much too strong and is not recommended for use around the mouth, according to the poison control centers in America.
If a cold sore has already broken out, alcohol would probably be painful--even if it is diluted. I'm sorry I don't have any recommendation for that. Ever since I devised this way to stop cold sores before they start, I have not had to deal with that phase.
Recently I read that the virus that causes cold sores on the mouth can contribute to Alzheimer's or dementia; and it is best to treat any outbreaks as quickly as possible, to make the virus return to the dormant stage.
If you find this tip to be effective, please tell a friend. This simple remedy deserves to go viral!
