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Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, which lives in your nerve cells and pops up as painful blisters around your mouth when it feels like ruining your week. Once you’ve got the virus, it’s permanent. But the outbreaks aren’t.
Here’s how to make them go away faster.
1. Don’t Touch Them
Hands off. Cold sores are contagious as hell and touching them spreads the virus to other people or other parts of your body. Including your eyes, which can lead to retina damage.
Just don’t.
2. L-Lysine Supplements
L-lysine is an amino acid that suppresses the herpes virus. Studies show taking 1,000mg three times a day during an outbreak speeds up healing. Some people take 500-1,000mg daily to prevent outbreaks altogether.
You can find it at any pharmacy or grocery store. Follow the dosage on the label.
3. Sleep More, Drink More Water
Your immune system fights off the outbreak. If you’re exhausted or dehydrated, it loses. Get 7-8 hours of sleep and drink at least 2 liters of water per day.
Boring advice? Sure. But it works.
4. Crushed Benadryl Paste (Last Resort)
This one’s weird but some people swear by it. Crush a Benadryl pill into powder, mix it with a tiny amount of water or lip balm to make a paste, and dab it on the cold sore before bed. The antihistamine supposedly reduces swelling and speeds healing.
No real science backing this, but if you’re desperate, it won’t hurt.
Most cold sores clear up in 7-10 days. If yours lasts longer than two weeks or you’re getting frequent outbreaks, see a doctor. They can prescribe antiviral medication that actually knocks them out fast.