Try red wine
If you have an opened bottle of red wine handy, try one of the more folky cold sore remedies: Put a little bit in a saucer and let it sit until the liquid evaporates. Slather the sore with the solidified dregs and it should ease the pain on contact. The theory is that resveratrol, red wine’s potent antioxidant, can relieve the inflammation. This anti-inflammatory property is just another reason why you should drink a glass of red wine every night.
Toss your toothbrush
Cold sores are contagious and easily spread. Avoid worsening an outbreak and accidentally causing another by throwing out your toothbrush when the blister forms and again after it has cleared. Also throw away any other products that might have come into contact with the sore, especially lip balm or lipstick.
Beef up your B12 intake
Studies have shown that people who tend to get cold sores also tend to have low levels of vitamin B12. Taking a daily B12 supplement might lessen your chances for developing the sores. Natural ways to get more B12 would be to eat more shellfish, crab, beef, dairy, and eggs, all of which are high in B12.
Here are 10 ways to make vitamins and minerals work better for you.