If you’re wondering whether or not to use ice for cold sores, contemplate no more. In this article, I’m going to teach you about the powerful benefits of using ice on cold sores, and I’ll also provide you with a simple, step-by-step plan to safely treat your cold sores with ice therapy.
For a little over a decade of enduring frequent cold sore outbreaks, I had absolutely no idea that ice could be used to treat cold sores.
I was clueless about this remedy.
Then one day my girlfriend at the time felt a cold sore coming on. She immediately got an ice cube out of the freezer, and pressed it gently to her lip.
I said “what are you doing?”
She went on to tell me that sometimes her “ice cube trick” would completely prevent a cold sore, and other times it would at least keep it very small. Ever since that day, I had a new tool in my Cold Sore Treatment & Prevention Toolbox.
Why Does Ice Help Cold Sores?
After learning that ice helps cold sores, the normal question to ask is “Why does ice help cold sores?”
Here are the answers:
- Using ice for cold sores is one way to help control the pain and swelling.
- Ice may also slow down the growth of the herpes simplex virus.
Herpes what?! Okay, you may already know this, but in case you didn’t, let me quickly explain something…
Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are groups of small blisters that form on or near the lips. Cold sores are a result of something called herpes simplex virus (HSV).
There are two types of HSV, and both can cause cold sores. HSV-1 typically is responsible for cold sores, and HSV-2 is most often the cause of genital herpes.
However, both types of HSV can cause cold sores or genital herpes.
After primary infection, the virus resides in the associated dorsal root ganglion where it lies dormant until an external stimuli (such as stress or immunosuppression) initiate reactivation of the virus from dormancy.
The virus lives on forever, and that’s why people continue to get cold sores over and over again.
Now lets get back to how ice helps cold sores.
Besides pain relief and reduction of swelling, people use ice for cold sores because the herpes virus requires a moist, warm environment to grow.
If you use ice therapy at the first sign of a cold sore, this could lead to:
- Greatly reducing and/or delaying the cold sore
- Preventing a cold sore altogether
Delaying a cold sore is basically just postponing the inevitable, but if you have a hot date or an important event, this trick is a true lifesaver.
Reducing the size and duration of the cold sore is also a great benefit, but preventing the cold sore from ever appearing is nothing short of a miracle, and I’ve experienced this miracle a few times. Can I get an amen for ice?!
How To Use Ice For Cold Sores
Okay, now that you know ice can be used for cold sores, let’s create a plan for you.
Adhere to the following guidelines when using ice for cold sores:
- Put an ice cub in a Ziploc sandwich bag, and press it up to your cold sore (the Ziploc bag seals out the moisture, while still allowing you to cool the cold sore).
- Hold on the cold sore for 5 minutes on, 10 minutes off, and repeat this cycle at least a few times.
- You can use ice on a cold sore that is already a blister to numb the pain and decrease swelling.
- You can use ice therapy at the first sign of a cold sore (tingle or itch) to hopefully prevent it from occurring, or at minimum reduce the size and shorten the lifespan of your cold sore.
The key to cold sores is to prevent them from forming in the first place.
Thus, I encourage you to check out my Ultimate Guide to Preventing Cold Sores.
It’s free and has absolutely everything you need to know.
If you have any questions on using ice for cold sores, please post them in the comment box below.
Brad says
Cold sores on nose!! Painful itchy can I use hot cold treatment ice then hot pack??
Matt says
Sorry you’re going through this Brad! And yes, that treatment sounds like it would help.
Jane says
I feel like i am going to get cold sore after a day so i just applied ice on it
Will it help
Matt says
Hi Jane,
This ice for cold sores trick has always helped me tremendously. It will either prevent a cold sore from appearing, or it will greatly reduce the size of the cold sore when it does appear if you do it right.
Keri says
I’ve been using this remedy since I was little. My dad told me about it as a kid. It definitely works! I was getting a cold sore last week (the tingle and itch was real) applied ice a few times that morning and that night then again the next day and it never came out. The ice trick is better than anything I’ve ever bought at the store.
Matt says
Wonderful Keri!!! I sure wish I would’ve known about using ice to prevent cold sores long before I finally learned about it, but better late than never, right?
So happy to hear that you were able to prevent a cold sore last week using this awesome trick!!! Congrats, and thanks for sharing this success story here so people will read it over the years and give it a try. ???? Take care.
BlackJack says
I m in the midst if a cold sore. Its the stage where the blister has just developed and is a day old. Have been using ice directly onto the blister. Normally I have observed that it rakes about a week for the thing to completely heal. Apart from ice application, what else would heal it very fast , like say 2-3 days.
Matt says
Some of the most popular over-the-counter options that can help to shorten the healing duration are:
Bactine
Herpecin L
Hydrogen peroxide
Lemon balm oil
Bobby Saint says
I never realized that ice can actually help in treating cold sores until I read your article. You mentioned using ice can help control pain and swelling. Putting ice on your lips can definitely numb the pain and make you feel a lot better. I also like the fact that you said ice therapy can delay the cold sore or even prevent it from happening altogether. I would definitely take heed of your advice if I ever feel like having a cold sore. Thanks for sharing this.
Matt says
Hi Bobby,
Glad you enjoyed this article and I appreciate you taking the time to leave your feedback! Take care. ????
Kevin says
Hi Matt
Woke up new years day with a lovely cold sore ????, just started putting ice on it the minute I woke up after doing a google search and this article popped up, fingers crossed it helps, thanks for the ice tips. I’ll get back to you with my results in due course ????????
Kindest Regards
Kevin
Matt says
What a bummer to wake up to that Kevin! But I’m SO glad you found this ice trick. Fingers crossed my friend! Take care. ????
Drew says
If ice prevents the blisters from showing up, do you think it’d be safe to kiss? I started ice and acyclivir immediately as soon as I noticed the slightest tingle.
Matt says
If the ice prevents the cold sore from appearing, then it should be safe to kiss. But even if there is a little bump/redness there, it could be contagious.
chris says
I have been getting cold sores for over 5 years. 2-4 weeks after my cold sore i get a rash called erythema multiforme which is worse than any cold sore. any advice to stop cold sores entirely
Matt says
Hi Chris,
I created a free resource that will teach you everything you need to know to prevent cold sores entirely. Click on the link below to check it out:
Ultimate Guide To Preventing Cold Sores>>
Alex says
Hello! Completely agree with this post. I´ve been using it for years. I am doing a project about this topic for my uni course work. Do you have references that support this treatment? I have been searching around, but most of them disagree! I am completely sure it works, has worked for me hundreds of times.
Stephanie says
I use this method plus whole milk. At the first sign, I use ice first to cool down the warm area for about 5 minutes, being careful not to overfreeze myself which will lead to worse things. Then, using whole milk soaked on cotton pressed on for 5 minutes will reduce pain, swelling and promotes healing.