Home Remedies
Several treatments can help reduce swelling and soothe pain early on; they may even minimize the length of a cold sore. Some home remedies for cold sores include a cool, moist washcloth application, an ice pack or cold compress, a petroleum jelly application, or painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Be aware that there is not enough evidence to recommend the frequent use of these complementary therapies to treat cold sores. Before using them, discuss them with a healthcare professional. Home remedies for cold sores are not recommended to be used in place of more traditional treatments.
Moreover, applying any new substances to the skin should be done with prudence. Some of these therapies have been reported to cause adverse reactions like itchiness and allergic contact dermatitis. For instance, it’s generally known that propolis might lead to allergic contact dermatitis in some people. So, it is ideal to talk to a dermatologist before using this treatment.
Before using home remedies elsewhere, test them on a small patch of skin, like the inner forearm, to see how the skin responds. This is known as a patch test.