Also called fever blisters, cold sores are the result of a viral infection caused by the Herpes Simplex virus. You may already have this virus in your body, but may not have any symptoms until you are under stress. It affects you when your immune system becomes weak. Unfortunately, there is no cure available for the herpes simplex virus, but you can certainly try many ways to treat cold sores. Many people use apple cider vinegar for cold sores, and it works great for them. Let's find out how you can utilize it to manage your condition better.

How Does Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Help with Cold Sores?

There are actually a number of reasons why you may want to use ACV to treat cold sores. For instance:

• ACV has antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It lowers inflammation caused by the sores and gives your immune system some support to fight against the virus.
• It helps maintain the pH balance of the skin, which in turn prevents and heals blisters quickly. It also lowers risk of viral infections.
• It provides you with important nutrients that boost your immune system.
• It provides you with antioxidants that repair cellular damage and clear viral infections.

How to Apply Apple Cider Vinegar for Cold Sores

Apple cider vinegar is beneficial for your skin, but you need to learn how to use it to get good results. Here are a few suggestions:

1.    Use It with Warm Water

Take a glass of warm water and add a tablespoon of ACV to it. Mix well and drink thrice a day to clear stomach infections, which often lead to cold sores.

2.    Use It on Your Skin

Topical application of apple cider vinegar may also help treat cold sores. Clean the affected area first and then dip a sterile cotton swab in ACV solution. Apply it directly to the affected area a few times a day for several days.

3.    Use It with Lemon Juice

Take some warm water and squeeze half a lemon in it. Now, add a tablespoon of ACV to it and mix well. Soak a cotton swab in it and apply to the affected area. Repeat a few times a day until you find some relief.

4.    Use It with a Glass of Ice Water

Take a glass of ice water and add a tablespoon of ACV to it. Mix well and drink thrice a day to help treat the infection.

Tips and Precautions

Using apple cider vinegar for cold sores is a good idea, but you need to take some precautionary measures when using this natural remedy. For instance:

• When drinking apple cider vinegar, you should use a straw because it can damage your teeth.
• Opt for raw, organic apple cider vinegar. It is better to use unfiltered and unpasteurized ACV, as it contains mother that is good for your overall health.
• Never apply apple cider vinegar directly to your skin if your skin is overly dry or sensitive. ACV can make things worse in this situation.
• Be sure to use a moisturizer or lip balm after using ACV on your skin.
• Always use a clean cotton swab or ball to apply ACV to your skin. This will ensure that you do not end up spreading the infection.
• Never apply the ACV solution on your open sores, as it can irritate your skin and cause other complications.

Alternative Remedies for Cold Sores

Other than using apple cider vinegar for cold sores, you can also try many other remedies to treat cold sores. For instance:

1.    Green Tea

The antioxidants in green tea can help accelerate the healing process. Simply prepare a cup of green tea using the teabag. Drink the tea and let the teabag cool. Apply it directly to your affected area for relief. You should drink the tea at least thrice a day and use the teabag every 3 hours to get good results.

2.    Garlic

Thanks to its antibacterial properties, it works great to clear an infection naturally. Take a few garlic cloves, crush them, and make a paste. Apply it directly to the affected area and rinse with water after 10 minutes. Do it at least once a day for relief.

3.    Milk

The presence of immunoglobulin and l-lysine makes milk a good remedy for cold sores. Take some raw milk and soak a cotton ball in it. Apply it directly to the affected area and leave for 5 minutes. Rinse the area with cool water. Do it thrice a day for results.

4.    Licorice

You can use licorice instead of apple cider vinegar for cold sores because it contains the glycyrrhizic acid. The acid treats the sores and keeps them from recurring. You can simply chew organic licorice root or add it to your food. You can buy licorice in a powdered form and sprinkle it on your salads and other dishes.

5.    Aloe Vera

Its antibacterial properties make it a good remedy for cold sores. Its regular application may also help relieve the pain. Simply take a fresh aloe vera leaf and extract its gel. Apply it to the cold sore and then rinse after a few minutes. Do it thrice a day for good results.