My aunt doesen't believe me, but my mother and myself believe that
distilled vinegar helps remove or sooth cold sores. I would like to
know if there is any scientific evidence of this or if it is just some
type of folklore.

---

Request for Question Clarification by tlspiegel-ga on 28 May 2005 10:11 PDT

Hi losergeekneil,

I couldn't find any scientific evidence on why it works, but it works. 

Cold Sores
http://www.otan.us/webfarm/emailproject/coldsore.htm


"Ingredients: 
Vinegar
Listerine
Abreva
Carmex
Acidolphilus
Instructions: Well, I am 26 yrs. old, and have never had a cold sore
until now! They are HORRIBLE!! I have had mine about 4 days now, and
they're almost gone..Thank GOD! Several times a day I would apply
Vinegar on my lips. Yeah, it burns, but vinegar will kill anything. I
also used Listerine a lot. I would then take turns using Abreva and
Carmex. Taking Acidolphilus helps! This is my first experience with
cold sores, and
I was desperate to get rid of them. So, using common sense, I kept it
clean, and fought the virus on the inside as well. Hope this helps!!"


"I learned that coldsores and vinegar don't match too well. 
If you really want the swelling to go down, take a little bit of
vinegar on a paper towel, and dab this over your cold sore for 5-10
minutes. Eat a bag of salt and vinegar chips, get as much vinegar as
possible. this is the only thing that i've found. good luck."


"Instructions: Vinegar works wonders, this is a trick my father has
used not only for himself but on me and my sisters as well for our
cold sores. Now unfortunetly i suffer from horrible cold sores,that
take up my entire lip (quite embarassing) and I've tried EVERYTHING
underneath the sun. I applied vinegar, aloe, rubbing alcohol, creams
from the store. You name itI've probably used it once or twice in my
past. But nothing works quite like the vinegar, once you feel the
tingling you need to put it on regularly. Either with a q-tip or a
napkin just let it sit on the spot for a few minutes. Repeat often."

=========

Cold Sores Treatment?
http://www.nzgirl.co.nz/articles/1405

"There are many treatments available to treat cold sores, most contain
Lypsine in them to help prevent cold sores. Apple cider vinegar, tea
tree oil and vitamin e oil are three other common ways to treat this
condition."

=========

Vancouver Forum - cold sores
http://www.discovervancouver.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13797

"put some salt on it, rinse it with vinegar and then garlge with some
pure lemon juice."

=========

If you feel this answers your question, please post a clarification
and I'll post in the answer box.

Best regards,
tlspiegel

---

Clarification of Question by losergeekneil-ga on 29 May 2005 09:33 PDT

Thanks.

Hi losergeekneil,

Thank you for an interesting question.  I'm reposting my findings below.


I couldn't find any scientific evidence on why it works, but it works. 

Cold Sores
http://www.otan.us/webfarm/emailproject/coldsore.htm


"Ingredients: 
Vinegar
Listerine
Abreva
Carmex
Acidolphilus
Instructions: Well, I am 26 yrs. old, and have never had a cold sore
until now! They are HORRIBLE!! I have had mine about 4 days now, and
they're almost gone..Thank GOD! Several times a day I would apply
Vinegar on my lips. Yeah, it burns, but vinegar will kill anything. I
also used Listerine a lot. I would then take turns using Abreva and
Carmex. Taking Acidolphilus helps! This is my first experience with
cold sores, and
I was desperate to get rid of them. So, using common sense, I kept it
clean, and fought the virus on the inside as well. Hope this helps!!"


"I learned that coldsores and vinegar don't match too well. 
If you really want the swelling to go down, take a little bit of
vinegar on a paper towel, and dab this over your cold sore for 5-10
minutes. Eat a bag of salt and vinegar chips, get as much vinegar as
possible. this is the only thing that i've found. good luck."


"Instructions: Vinegar works wonders, this is a trick my father has
used not only for himself but on me and my sisters as well for our
cold sores. Now unfortunetly i suffer from horrible cold sores,that
take up my entire lip (quite embarassing) and I've tried EVERYTHING
underneath the sun. I applied vinegar, aloe, rubbing alcohol, creams
from the store. You name itI've probably used it once or twice in my
past. But nothing works quite like the vinegar, once you feel the
tingling you need to put it on regularly. Either with a q-tip or a
napkin just let it sit on the spot for a few minutes. Repeat often."

=========

Cold Sores Treatment?
http://www.nzgirl.co.nz/articles/1405

"There are many treatments available to treat cold sores, most contain
Lypsine in them to help prevent cold sores. Apple cider vinegar, tea
tree oil and vitamin e oil are three other common ways to treat this
condition."

=========

Vancouver Forum - cold sores
http://www.discovervancouver.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13797

"put some salt on it, rinse it with vinegar and then garlge with some
pure lemon juice."

==========



Best regards,
tlspiegel

good.

Hi losergeekneil,

Thank you for the 5 star rating.   :)

Best regards,
tlspiegel

Cold sores are symptoms of the Herpes Simplex virus, though many
people do not know this and treat them as a natural occurrance, like
acne. They are not. Sufferers should recognize they have a real virus,
which they contracted from someone else who suffered from the virus.
And, most importantly, that they can pass on the virus. Once you have
it, you have it forever, though you may stop exhibiting symptoms once
your body comes to be able control the virus.

Herpes Simplex can be treated effectively with a prescription medicine
called Acyclovir, and oral antiviral, which should be taken at the
very first tingle. The normal dose is 5 pills per day, evenly spaced,
for 5-10 days. It is a very mild medication without major side
effects.
Some doctors prescribe preventative courses in some, for example
actors (yes, they get it too), or at high-risk times, such as
operations, sun exposure, or high-stress.

Vinegar's fine, but sufferers owe it to themselves to get real
medication which can really help combat the virus. WebMD has thorough
information on cold sores, and states right away, first thing, that
"Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV)".
http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/hw31979.asp

Acyclovir is an easy prescription to get from a doctor; tell him you
have cold sores and he'll prescribe you a bunch. I don't think it's
expensive in the US; but if it is it's all a drug-company scam. It is
sold in almost every country in the world without a prescription, for
pennies per dose.

Recommending vinegar for a cold sore sufferer is like recommending
aspirin and coffee for someone who says "Every morning I wake up with
a terrible hangover and can't remember the night before". It is
ignoring the real significance of the problem.

-Dave

PS - I realize that the question was about vinegar and was answered
appropriately. But, I also realize that many people live with this
terrible condition without knowing that they can easily do something
very effective about it. I can't believe how many people treat cold
sores like acne, thinking it's just something you get, and never
asking a doctor for the easy, fairly-effective help.

re: comments from alesmith-ga

Most people who suffer with cold sores, myself included, are aware
that it is a virus and know what they are up against. An antiviral is
an antiviral and vinegar is just as good as anything you can buy in a
pharmacy.

You make it sound like it isn't real because it didn't come from a
pharmacy! Many antivirals are made from natural ingredients, e.g.
Sambucol made from elderberries. And anyone can make a tincture from
elderberries that is just as effective. But you probably know that.

Your analgy...
"Recommending vinegar for a cold sore sufferer is like recommending
aspirin and coffee for someone who says "Every morning I wake up with
a terrible hangover and can't remember the night before". It is
ignoring the real significance of the problem."
... is not effective. However, I'm guessing that you are suggesting
that the significance of the problem is the fact that it's a virus?
Well, vinegar is has antiviral properties. THAT's effective ;-)

And here's some food for thought... a list of possible side effects
from using Acyclovir:

Acyclovir: (Brand name Zovirax)
What side effects can this medication cause?

Although side effects from acyclovir are not common, they can occur.
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go
away:
burning, stinging, itching, or rash when ointment is applied
headache
upset stomach
vomiting
diarrhea or loose stools

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: 
severe rash
severe itching
fever
confusion
yellowness of the skin or eyes
blood in the urine
stomach pain

Regards.