In this article, I’m going to teach you how to use zinc oxide for cold sores. For about 20 years of my life, I suffered from frequent cold sore outbreaks.
Over the years, I began to realize there are a superabundance of methods for preventing and treating cold sores. I started this blog to share these extraordinary cold sore treatment approaches with the world.
After researching and learning about literally dozens of remedies, I would like to teach you about two of my favorite cold sore remedies – zinc oxide cream (ointment), and oral zinc supplements.
Cold Sores
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.
Cold Sores and Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. Zinc is also found in many cold lozenges and some over-the-counter drugs sold as cold remedies.
According to a research study, a large percentage of the world is deficient in zinc.
While there are many symptoms that can result from having inadequate levels of zinc, the ones I’m going to focus on in this article are related to cold sores.
Two side effects of zinc deficiency are:
- Impaired immune function
- Delayed healing of wounds
Low levels of zinc cause a decline in the function of T-cells that normally fight the virus that causes cold sores. In test tubes, zinc also counteracts the growth of the herpes simplex virus in the absence of T-cells, which means zinc is a very important mineral in the treatment of cold sores.
To make sure you don’t suffer from zinc deficiency, take 30 mg of high-quality zinc picolinate daily with food. This will boost your immune system and help prevent cold sores.
To really supercharge your immune system, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND taking a product called Immune Support. It’s an all-natural and organic formula which was designed to help support a healthy immune system and immune response.
Zinc Oxide For Cold Sores
Along with taking an oral zinc supplement, another research-based method of treatment is to use zinc oxide for cold sores.
Zinc oxide is an inorganic compound and white powder with the formula ZnO. Although it occurs naturally as the mineral zincite, most zinc oxide is produced synthetically.
Zinc oxide is used as an additive in numerous materials and products, one of which is zinc oxide cream for cold sores.
In a research study, using a topical formulation of zinc oxide for cold sores led to a reduction of cold sore symptoms and duration.
Here are the results of the study:
Subjects who began treatment with a zinc oxide/glycine cream within 24 hours of onset of signs and symptoms experienced a significantly shorter duration of cold sore lesions (mean, 5.0 days) than did subjects treated with a placebo cream (mean, 6.5 days). Subjects treated with the zinc oxide/glycine cream also experienced reduction in overall severity of signs and symptoms, particularly blistering, soreness, itching, and tingling.”
The study concluded that zinc oxide/glycine cream is an effective treatment for cold sores.
How To Use Zinc Oxide For Cold Sores
The best way to use zinc oxide for cold sores is by the topical application of Fougera Zinc Oxide Ointment.
Here are the directions:
- For adults and children 2 and older
- Apply liberally as needed
- For best results, apply every two hours
- Wash hands before and after applying
Note: This method becomes much more powerful when you also add lemon balm oil to the zinc oxide ointment.
Zinc Oxide For Cold Sores – Key Concepts
I hope you enjoyed learning about the use of zinc and zinc oxide for cold sores as much as I enjoyed writing this article.
Here are some key concepts to review:
- Oral zinc supplementation can boost the immune system and prevent cold sores.
- Immune Support is a special formulation of zinc and other nutrients that can be used daily to strengthen the immune system.
- In the case of a cold sore outbreak, using topical zinc oxide for cold sores can minimize symptoms and shorten healing time.
- Using zinc oxide ointment with lemon balm oil is a research-proven, effective method for using topical zinc oxide for cold sores.
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 on using oral zinc or topical zinc oxide for cold sores, please post them in the comment box below.
B. Taylor says
The company that sells the Super Lysine Cold Sore Treatment, Quantum Health, has now changed the active ingredient in the ointment from zinc oxide to menthol. I won’t buy it anymore. It doesn’t work for me and I feel duped.
Matt says
Wow that is awful. I wonder why they wold go changing it. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Kattia says
Im wondering if i can use Penaten cream ( 18% zync) on my 3 years old open cold sore. He started getting it since he was 4 months old..and seens that everytime he goes outside to play on a hot day he gets it next day…
Matt says
Hello Kattia,
Typically these products are okay to use on cold sores on children 2 years and up. And I just wrote an article that will help you prevent future cold sores on your son.
How Sunlight Can Trigger Cold Sores (Plus Tips To Prevent This)>>
PCP says
Do you have any solutions to get rid of the bumps that are left behind after a Cold Sore goes dormant?