Dial soap may stop cold sores

July 20, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My cold sore “stopper” is Dial soap. A friend of mine said to take a wet finger, rub it on the soap, then on the oncoming cold sore. Stops it in its tracks every time.

I also use cherries for gout as per your suggestion. They work for me.

DEAR READER: The active ingredient in Dial Gold is triclocarban. Beyond that, there are approximately 20 inactive ingredients, including sodium chloride, pentasodium and sodium pentetate, titanium dioxide and sodium cocoate. Triclocarban contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties used as disinfectants in many products. [Read more...]

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Cold-sore remedies abound

April 30, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have noticed that a lot of people write to you about cold sores. Valtrex works to totally inhibit them. I have suffered from cold sores since the age of 4. When I was in my early 30s, the virus got out of hand and I was getting cold sores on a monthly basis. My dermatologist suggested I try 500 milligrams of Valtrex daily, and my cold sores completely stopped. I’ve had two cold sores in the 15 years since, both times after stopping the medication for about two to three weeks to see if I still needed it. My mother and brother also use Valtrex but on an “as needed” basis. They take it when they feel the tingling that comes before the sore. They take two 500-milligram tablets when they feel that tingle and then one 500-milligram tablet once a day for a week after that. Please tell your readers about this remedy.
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More remedies for cold sores

April 14, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Last June, you published a column about cold sores, and I thought you might be interested in my experience. I grew up having cold sores occasionally, more often in my childbearing years (I assume because of stress). I began taking garlic pills for another reason and two years later when I discontinued them, I started getting cold sores again. I now take a garlic pill three times a week, daily if I’m stressed, and seldom have the sores. If I feel one coming on, I take garlic morning, noon and night, and the sore never fully develops. I thought this might be of interest to you and your readers.

DEAR READER: I had not heard of garlic pills being beneficial in preventing cold sores prior to your letter. To the best of my knowledge, garlic pills are most commonly used in an attempt to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. I have even had readers tell me that they are beneficial in preventing mosquitoes from biting.
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Toothpaste ingredient causes cold sores

August 4, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Thanks for your daily column and the many interesting cases you are kind enough to take your time to explain. I have to write you about my experience with cold sores in response to the reader who suffers from them.

I, too, had them for years, and nothing I put on prevented them. The sores always took up to 10 days to heal, and I would immediately get another one. My husband is a retired dentist who suggested not using toothpaste that contains sodium lauryl sulfate. CVS brand and Sensodyne ProNamel are two products free of the inactive ingredient. Since making the change, I have not had any more pesky sores. I hope this helps someone else.
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Cold sores send reader into hiding

June 15, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I seem to suffer from frequent cold sores and am constantly covering my mouth to hide the unsightly lesions. I have spent a great deal of money on remedies but recently saw a product called Lip Clear Lysine + at my local pharmacy. I don’t know if it’s any better than what I have tried so far and would like your opinion. Can you get me on the right track?

DEAR READER: Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 and most commonly affect the lips. Less commonly, they can occur on the chin, fingers or in the nostrils, and rarely, they may present in the mouth. These fluid-filled blisters are painful, itchy and contagious, lasting about two weeks. The virus can be spread by sharing the same glass or silverware, kissing, touching and more. [Read more...]

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