In this article, I’m going to teach you how to use Bactine for cold sores. I myself never knew about this remedy back when I used to get cold sores, but after some research on the topic, I got pretty excited about writing an article on it.
There are some amazing testimonials online of people using Bactine for cold sores.
Along with its effectiveness, Bactine is also very inexpensive and available over-the-counter, making it all-around a great choice for treating cold sores.
Now let’s get a little deeper into why more and more people are using Bactine for cold sores…
Bactine For Cold Sores – Overview
Bactine is a first aid antiseptic that became available for over-the-counter use in the United States in 1950.
There are two formulations of Bactine:
- Bactine Original First Aid Liquid – Helps prevent skin infection, relieves pain and itch from minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.
- Bactine Pain Relieving Cleansing Spray – Does the same but comes in a spray bottle.
Both of the Bactine products contain the following active ingredients:
- Benzalkonium Chloride 0.13% – Antiseptic
- Lidocaine HCL 2.5% – Analgesic
Typically people will use Bactine to prevent infection, itching and pain in a small cut, scrape or burn, however, some individuals online are raving about the benefits of using Bactine for cold sores.
The Bactine-Viroxyn-Benzalkonium Connection
Many people use Bactine for cold sores because it has benzalkonium chloride 0.13% in it, which is the same drug and same concentration that a popular cold sore medicine contains.
Viroxyn Professional Use is a product that used to be available to the public, but now it appears as though you have to be a dentist to purchase it.
Apparently the company got a warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration stating that Viroxyn was violating FDA rules on marketing.
Here is a picture of Viroxyn Professional Use Cold Sore Treatment for you to check out.
Apparently Viroxyn Cold Sore Treatment was pretty expensive (and now it’s not available to the public).
Luckily, using Bactine for cold sores should work the same due to it having benzalkonium chloride 0.13%, the same as Viroxyn.
Bactine For Cold Sores – “Jesse’s Method”
There is a forum on Topix.com where a lot of people swear by the benefits of using Bactine for cold sores.
In 2008, a person name Jesse wrote the following on this Topix.com thread about using Bactine for cold sores:
Jesse: “I recently purchased Viroxyn. It was pretty pricey (about $40 for 3 small ampules). It was a miracle!!! You apply it at the first sign, 1 time and it stops those nasty bastards dead in it’s tracks! The sore healed in about 2 days!
Imagine my surprise when I discovered the active ingredient was Benzalkonium .13%! Basically, it was Bactine!
Here’s what you do:
- Mix 1 tsp Bactine & 1 tsp 90% alcohol
- Dip a couple of Q-tips in
- Massage gently, but firmly into the sore
- Relax!!! stress isn’t gonna help you any!
I did this about 4x a day and the sore went from a red bump to a tiny scab within hours. Totally healed in 2.5 days! And in total it cost me about $6 instead of $40!
I’m sorry this post is so long, but I know what it’s like to suffer from this embarrassing ailment and felt I should share this discovery. Please try it. I hope you all have the same results I have. Good luck!”
Here are a few testimonials of individuals that used Jesse’s method:
Yes: “I get a cold sore 1-2 times per year, the only day when came and the frustration set in. Looked like a bad one. I figured I would give Bactine a try. This is the greatest find ever! Unbelievable, my cold sore went from becoming a big ugly to almost gone within a day. Crazy”
John: “I used 50% bactine and 50% rubbing alcohol applied using q-tips as soon as possible after the first itching. Cuts a one week or more down to just a couple days, and it does not break out as much.
Amanda: “I could not be more grateful for your post–worked like a charm!!!!!”
Steve: “I only tried this out of desperation (my local pharmacy was out of Abreva), but I am amazed. Why doesn’t everyone know about this? Abreva has been effective at lessening the severity of my outbreaks, but Bactine seemed to completely stop the development of the sore immediately upon application.”
Bactine For Cold Sores – Conclusion
So there you have it…anecdotal evidence that it could be very beneficial to use Bactine for cold sores. You can purchase Bactine on Amazon.com or at a drug store near you.
Remember, medicines like Bactine and other cold sores remedies are the most effective if you start using them at the first sign of a cold sore (tingle, burn, itch).
Catch the cold sore early and you could stop it from forming, or at the least prevent the cold sore from getting BIG.
It’s also important to remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Thus, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you check out my Ultimate Guide to Preventing Cold Sores.
If you have any comments or questions on the use of Bactine for cold sores, please post them in the comment box below.
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