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Complementary Medicine / Re: Have you tried Ice for curing cold sores?
« on: 12/03/2008 00:00:23 »
If you read all the forums you will often see ICE suggested. The difference between this 'solution' and all the others is that every reference to ice is in praise, while all others received mixed reviews. Some fail at all types of medication, some respond brilliantly to a particular one, some use a cocktail ... but ice remains a common 'YES'. When I tried it, I wrapped up a 1 inch square cube in tissue so that water didn't run down my arm and placed it on the outbreak till until the ice was gone in about 10-15 minutes. Then did it again with a second cube, and then again with a third. 30-45 minutes with an ice cube firmly pressed on. No dabbing, no trips to the mirror ... clamped on continuously and firmly (not fiercly). Finally a trip to the mirror - gone, gone blessed gone. Slightly tender (I just froze my lip), but no swelling, no blister, hardly noticable aside from the slight redening from the freeze attack. One thing I noticed is that ice is not just ice ! At home an ice cube from my mild domestic fridge is like glass, while at work the big fridge is more powerful and the ice is heavily frosty white ... ice works period, but heavy frosty ice is heaven. Don't be worried you'll do damage freezing your lip, I have absolutely no side effects from the freeze attack, and after 45 minutes of freeze, it only takes 5-10 untill all is as it was, except the virus has given up its attack! If the virus has made a sneak attack like after sun burn rather than stress, and the flare up happens while you are asleep (so it's well under way when you spot it), the ice will work fine but the skin may already be damaged. That's where the other tip of 'nail varnish remover' is useful. It is strong and any remaining virus activity will also be alienated from the area, but it's great in very rapidly drying out the area, almost like a sealant. Unless your cold sore is huge it should help a lot to close down the exposed area and prevent the nasty scab that is embarrising as well as uncomfortable. Bottom line is that ice and nail varnish remover are a cheap fast 'repair' not cure, that everyone that I've read about says ... 'it works' []