A few small studies have indicated that using vitamin C both orally
(in tablet form) and as a topical cream (applied directly to the cold sore) may
speed up the rate of healing of
cold sores.1 The liquid form
of vitamin C can be soaked in a cotton pad and applied to the cold sore several
times a day, and it can be used along with vitamin C tablets (at least
600 mg). However, more research is needed
before the long-term benefits of using vitamin C to treat cold sores can be
confirmed. People with a history of kidney stones should avoid high doses of
vitamin C.
Cold sores usually heal on their own without prescription medications
or complementary therapies.
Citations
Murray MT, Pizzorno JE Jr (2006). Herpes simplex. In
JE Pizzorno Jr, MT Murray, eds., Textbook of Natural Medicine, 3rd ed., vol. 2, pp. 1723-1726. St. Louis: Churchill
Livingstone Elsevier.
Murray MT, Pizzorno JE Jr (2006). Herpes simplex. In
JE Pizzorno Jr, MT Murray, eds., Textbook of Natural Medicine, 3rd ed., vol. 2, pp. 1723-1726. St. Louis: Churchill
Livingstone Elsevier.
