Cornstarch Paste
One of the more surprising home remedies to fight cold sores is to use cornstarch paste. Also known as cornflour, cornstarch is a white powdery substance used for various industrial, culinary, and household purposes. It is a carbohydrate extracted from corn endosperm and is generally gluten-free.
Cornstarch contains polysaccharides amylose and amylopectin and is considered by authorities an inactive ingredient in several medications. Doctors believe that a cornstarch poultice can be an effective way to help speed up the recovery time against cold sores. To create a sticky mixture, people with a cold sore can mix three tablespoons of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water. Doctors advise smearing the paste directly into the affected area and letting it dry before rinsing in cold water. They also recommend putting it on overnight for maximum efficiency. They believe the paste can protect the area against bacteria that could infect the cold sores. The reasoning is that if the site is protected, the healing speeds up.
