Many people in online forums are raving about the benefits they get from using Neosporin on cold sores. I too have benefited from this over-the-counter medicine.
Back in the day, when I had cold sore outbreaks 4-6 times a year, I used Neosporin for cold sore scabs.
I used other things to treat symptoms and speed healing time, but I loved Neosporin for the scab stage.
After studying anecdotal evidence from satisfied users, it appears as though some people use Neosporin on cold sores the entire duration of the outbreak.
In this article, I’m going to teach you everything you need to know about the use of Neosporin on cold sores and cold sore scabs.
This comprehensive Neosporin for Cold Sores Review Article is the culmination of in-depth research, my own personal experiences, and anecdotal evidence from countless other individuals.
Neosporin Overview
Neosporin is the brand name for an over-the-counter antiobiotic cream that contains neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin.
Neosporin is a safe and effective topical agent for preventing infections in minor skin trauma.
Neosporin is typically recommended for:
- Cuts
- Burns
- Scratches
- Minor skin infections
Along with the traditional Neosporin Wound Care products from Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., they also have two other product categories, known as Neosporin Eczema Essentials, and Neosporin Lip Health.
Here is the breakdown of Neosporin product categories:
- Neosporin Wound Care – 9 First Aid products (all antibiotic, some with pain relief, anti-itch, anti-scar, etc.)
- Neosporin Eczema Essentials – 2 eczema creams (one for hydration, another for anti-itch)
- Neosporin Lip Health – 1 product designed to hydrate lips overnight
Apparently, there used to be another product called Neosporin Lip Treatment. On the package, it says “Helps Heal the Symptoms of Painful Cold Sores.”
This product was discontinued by the manufacturer, which is sad because out of 22 reviews on Amazon.com, all 22 people gave it 5-Stars. Click here to read the reviews of the discontinued Neosporin Lip Treatment (LT). There are some disgruntled people that are seriously bummed-out this product is no longer available.
Will Neosporin Help A Cold Sore?
A lot of people ask me, “Will Neosporin help a cold sore?” Here is my loooooong answer…
Neosporin Original Ointment is a topical antiobiotic, nothing more. Cold sores, or fever blisters, are actually the 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. Since cold sores are viral, Neosporin products cannot prevent HSV from replicating, since Neosporin is an antibiotic.
Antibiotics destroy or weaken certain microorganisms (such as bacteria and fungi), but it has no antiviral activity. The only over-the-counter medicine currently approved by the FDA to shorten the healing time of cold sores is Abreva Cream.
The active ingredient in Abreva Cream is docosanol.
Docosanol is used for the topical treatment of recurrent oral-facial herpes simplex episodes (cold sores or fever blisters).
Docosanol works by inhibiting fusion between the human cell plasma membrane and the herpes simplex virus (HSV) envelope, thus preventing viral entry into cells and subsequent viral replication.
While Neosporin doesn’t have the same mechanism of action to treat the herpes simplex virus, it can still help tremendously…especially the newest addition to their product line – Neosporin Pain/Itch/Scar – which I believe would be the most helpful Neosporin for cold sores and cold sore scabs.
Here are the benefits of Neosporin Pain/Itch/Scar:
- Minimizes the appearance of scars
- Maximum strength pain relief
- Maximum strength itch relief
- No sting formula provides 24-hour infection protection
- Provides a nourishing environment for skin
To me, this looks like it would effectively treat symptoms of cold sores (pain, burning, itching). I believe this product would be even more helpful during the cold sore scab stage.
Years ago, when I actually got cold sores, I would often use Neosporin for cold sore scabs.
It seemed to help with itching, healing, and minimization of appearance of scars.
However, at the first sign of a cold sore, and during the painful blister stage, I would use other products, such as Abreva Cream, Super Lysine Plus Cream, and prescription medications, that were specifically formulated to treat cold sores.
How To Use Neosporin On A Cold Sore
Now that you’ve learned all of these amazing things about using Neosporin on cold sores, you get to decide whether or not you want to try it out.
If you want to use Neosporin on a cold sore or cold sore scab, here are the directions:
- Adults and children 2 years of age or older – Clean the affected area. Apply a small amount of this product (an amount equal to the surface area of the tip of a finger) on the area 1 to 3 times daily. Wash your hands before and after application.
- Children under 2 years of age – Ask a doctor.
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 or comments about using Neosporin on cold sores, please post them in the comment box below.
fuller says
Both HSV1 and HSV2 can cause “genital herpes”. Up to 80% of Americans have HSV1, which is usually associated with “cold sores” around the mouth, but can also be transmitted to the genitals via oral sex. Up to 30% of new cases of genital herpes are due to HSV1 – and most of the time, it’s been transmitted via oral sex. Since most people (up to 80% of Americans) have HSV1 – whether or not they ever have noticeable cold sores – and since most people do not use any sort of “protection” during oral sex, it’s actually becoming more and more common for people to get herpes on their genitals from oral sex.
Mike M says
I agree 100% about using Neosporin at the scab stage. It does little good before that but provides symptomatic relief at that time and can accelerate healing.
Matt says
Thanks for leaving a comment Mike. Glad you get benefit using Neosporin for cold sore scabs. Take care!
Neha says
Hey my mother is having herpes infection on the half side if her face. Half side have swelling and conditions have worsen. Its been 4 days since the start of infection and 3 days since the medication has been started with Virovir tablets three times a day along with citrizine and other multivitamins. Why there is no response . our neighbor told to use neosporin instead of a acyclovir ointment. Tried but as I got to know its antibiotics so of course no effect from it. Tell me some ointment
Matt says
Hi Neha,
I’m so sorry to hear this is happening to your mother. And it sounds bad enough that it might be a good idea to take her to the hospital. That is not a typical cold sore. It’s half of her face and the medication isn’t working, so the hospital could be a good plan.
Click on the link below for a list of over-the-counter cold sore medications:
OTC Medicine For Cold Sores>>
Chynah says
Use tea tree oil
Matt says
Yes, that’s a lovely natural remedy. Here is a recent article I published on that:
How To Use Tea Tree Oil For Cold Sores>>
Karen phipps says
I used the Neospirin pain/itch/scar at the first sign of a cold sore. I applied it before bed and the next morning my cold sore was gone. It’s aomazing
Matt says
Right on Karen!!! That is totally extraordinary. Thanks for sharing this!
Andrea says
My cold sores are now ranging about a year and a half apart. Yay! But I currently have a doozy. I always use Morgan’s Lysine lip balm for the initial outbreak (which I find soothing and effective) but once it scabs, I switch to Neosporin. Next time I will try the Neosporin from the get go. I realize the science makes no since. Viral vs antibiotic. But it sure makes clear up faster.
Matt says
Hi Andrea,
Well that is not too bad!! A year and half apart is certainly not life-crushing, especially when you have stuff that helps the pain and discomfort which speeds up the healing time too. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, and I wish continued success in preventing frequent cold sores. Take care! ????
Satin Smith says
I’m at the first stage of a cold soar…How do a I stop it from forming…?
Matt says
There are many natural remedies and prescription remedies that can either help you prevent the cold sore from forming if you catch it early enough, or at least prevent it from becoming big.
The following article category links will help to shed light on this:
Natural Remedies For Cold Sores>>
Prescriptions for Cold Sores>>
OTC Products for Cold Sores>>
P.S. – Applying an ice cube to the area is the most effective I’ve found to prevent the cold sore from forming if you catch it at the first sign (tingle, itch, burn, etc.). The following article will cover this phenomenon in detail:
How To Use Ice On Cold Sores>>
Wynetta says
My scab has come off and so I am wondering at this point do I use Neosporin to heal it or the campho-phenique which dried it out and helped the scab to come. It is large and on my lip and I really want it to go away as soon as possible.
Matt says
Now that the scab is off you want to use either Neosporin or natural ointments that have herbal remedies to help and heal the skin in a soothing and repairing manner.
Angie says
So I have a dried up cold sore. I believe you call it the scab stage. It is black. Black and huge.
I haven’t put anything on it as my dad told me I shouldn’t and that it will fall off on it’s on.
Unfortunately I have plans this week and I’m tired of hiding. Since the scab is huge and sticks out I can’t hide it.
Should I put anything on it now or just continue to wait and be patient.
Thank you for your blog and help. ????
Matt says
OMG I hate the big scab that it makes. Honestly, the fastest way to get rid of it is to be patient and avoid anything that could take the scab off early. That’s how it delays the healing process and forms scars.
I would often pick the scab off early and while it did make things look better temporarily, it really delays the healing process, and it can lead to scars too.
Rebecca says
Well just purchased the new neosporin tonight after my scalp came off premature hope this work been battling this cold sore for seven days already even though the scalp came off prematurely I was kind of glad it bled a little just applied the new neosporin on hope it bring better relief and healing than what I been using
Matt says
The Neosporin should really help! Congrats on being so close to it being completely healed, Rebecca. ????
Melissa says
I stopped getting cold sores/fever blisters a long time ago . I used to get them quite frequently , but after years of doing my own trial and error I will say a few things have made it to where I very seldom get them (maybe once every 4 years I’ll get one out of the blue )
1. I take garlic pills every day
2. I use a lip balm/lip ointment with cinnamon oil in it
3. The absolute best treatment for cold sores I’ve ever used is roll on deodorant put on with a q tip frequently. If you do it when you very first feel it , sometimes it stops it from forming (very effective) for me anyway .
Then coconut oil or neosporin during the scab stage if it makes it to that .
Matt says
Wonderful info!!! Thanks for sharing your cold sore prevention methods here. You rock, Melissa!!! ????
David says
Hey Matt,
My cold sore scab just fell off naturally (I think, I didn’t pull it off). And now I have some fresh pink skin exposed. Should I use neosporin or continuing to use abreva?
Gloria says
How do we get the virus in the first place?