Did you know that cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus? Usually this virus enters the body through open skin or inside the mouth. Common ways the virus is spread is through kissing, sharing utensils, sharing drinks, sharing lip balm, etc. but cold sores can also be caused by lifestyle factors, including stress and weather. While cold sores will generally heal on their own, using a cold sore treatment can rapidly increase healing time and eliminate the number of days you have to go out in public with a giant blister on your mouth.

Cold Sore Free Forever is a healing guide that gives you practical, natural, and homemade solutions for treating cold sores. Cold Sore Free Forever claims to heal cold sores in as little as three days. Keep reading to see what’s included in Cold Sore Free Forever.

What’s Inside?

A common way the herpes virus is treated is with antibiotics. While this can be a great form of treatment, it also causes your body to build up an immunity so when you really need them, they may not work. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be able to use antibiotics to fight off a life-threatening infection rather than a cold sore.

A great benefit of Cold Sore Free Forever is that the remedies are natural; no medication or doctor’s visits needed. Cold Sore Free Forever address the following:

• Redness
• Raised and inflamed blisters
• Pain
• Itching
• Burning
• Tenderness
• Puss
• Discomfort while eating, drinking, or sleeping
• Numbness and more

Benefits

Cold Sore Free Forever is a treatment plan you can do in the comfort of your own home. No trips to the doctors office, pharmacy, or drug store. The feedback for Cold Sore Free Forever has been generally positive. Here is one consumer’s experience:

“I want to give a personal testimonial and highly recommend your program for any cold sores suffers out their. I have been suffering from cold sores since a very young age and tried many products in vain. Sores kept coming back all the time because I was never really addressing the root of the problem. Fortunately, after giving a try to this modest program, my sores disappeared like never before. If you want to cure your sores permanently, you really have to check this out.”

Cold Sore Free Forever is reasonably priced at $34.97. Your purchase is guaranteed, and you have the option for a hassle free refund if you’re not satisfied.

Drawbacks

Because Cold Sore Free Forever is an electronic guide, you won’t receive a physical copy. This can be a major drawback. If your Internet goes down, your computer crashes, or you’re someplace where you don’t have an Internet connection, you can’t access the guide.

Conclusion

Overall, this looks like a safe bet. The price is right, your purchase is guaranteed, and users have had success. If you’re looking for a natural way to heal sores caused by the herpes simplex virus, Cold Sore Free Forever looks like a quality investment. Click here for more information.

Beta-mannan is a natural dietary supplement manufactured in the United States and created by Dr. Joe Glickman, Jr. The Beta-mannan formula consists of a proprietary blend of specific extracts found in the aloe vera plant that promote immune function.

What’s Inside?

The Beta-mannan blend is comprised of long-chain, mannose, mucopolysaccharide molecules, also referred to as beta-mannans and beta-glucans. These mucopolysaccharide molecules are said to support normal immune function and for that reason can be found in supplements used to treat HSV-1 and HSV-2. Beta-mannans have not been found to be allergenic and also do not have laxative effects.

In addition to the beta –mannan concentrates, which are listed as a proprietary blend, the ingredients of Beta-mannan include: Natural Vitamin E, Microcrystalline Cellulose, and a gelatin capsule of a vegetable source. The gelatin capsule is a brand name capsule called a Vegi-cap which is a 100% vegetarian capsule made from pure carbohydrate gum derived from natural cellulose pulp of the soft tissue of pine trees.

Benefits

I guess it should come as no surprise that the aloe vera plant contains agents that can be used to promote healthy skin since it seems that aloe vera has been the botanical healer of choice dating back as far as there have been dates. It is well documented that these beta-mannans exist in aloe vera and some suggest that they are highly effective immune system boosters. A healthy immune system and proper dietary health are the two main factors in controlling herpes outbreaks. The fact that Beta-mannan is a dietary supplement with no allergic reactions ever reported makes it a pill just about anyone could take and see improved control of herpes or herpes-related symptoms.

Drawbacks

The same risks exist with this product as all other natural medications. Even if you accept the fact that these beta-mannan molecules help boost natural immunity, good luck finding solid evidence linking them directly to the destruction of the herpes virus. This is even more true with Beta-mannan because it makes use of a substance that is not widely used to treat HSV-1 or HSV-2. You run a legitimate risk of paying for a product that will have no direct effect on the herpes virus or its symptoms.

Conclusion

This product probably sounds like an innovative treatment because it is new and has the coolest name. There are a number of natural herbs being sold on the market claiming to boost immune function but the use of beta-mannans is rare. It’s good to see a company push the limits of known medicine to try and find better ways to treat us but just because it’s new doesn’t make it better. Whenever you decide to buy an untested product you run the risk of being that company’s unpaid guinea pig. There is not a lot of research into the effects of this product directly on herpes and it may be a better choice if you are looking to improve overall health rather than for a specific treatment.

QuickClear is a natural herpes treatment product that claims to contain a unique blend of powerful ingredients proven to relieve herpes symptoms. Quickclear claims to contain the “7 most powerful herbs to treat the virus that causes herpes outbreaks and cold sores.” The Quickclear formula promises to be formulated perfectly in an advanced delivery system capsule, which boosts natural defenses in your body to fight herpes.

How it Works

Quickclear claims to treat herpes related symptoms by restoring your body’s own natural defense system. To reinforce your own immunity, Quickclear uses a blend of herbs like: Burdock root, Ashwanganda root, Echinacea root, Passion Flower, Hydrangea root, Fenugreek Seed, Barberry Root. Many of these extracts can be found in products meant to speed recovery from all types of viral infections including the common cold and HSV.

QuickClear offers 4 treatment programs:

• 3-Month (Virus Elimination Treatment): This program requires 1 capsule 2 times a day for 90 days. The company claims users will be “outbreak free” after the 90 days.

• 5-day (Outbreak Elimination Treatment): During an outbreak you take 3 capsules 3 times a day for 5 days. After the five days they say your herpes or cold sore outbreak should be completely eliminated.
• Quickclear Soothing Spray Gel
• Quickclear Cold Sore Lip Treatment

Benefits

Quickclear simply provides a product with several ingredients meant to boost your own immune system. Like any natural supplement, you don’t have the risk of harmful side effects when you use a natural remedy as opposed to a pharmaceutical product. The fact that most natural supplements are available without a prescription and can be purchased easily over the internet is also a big selling point for those who like convenience and discretion.

Downside

A prescription medication may carry the risk of side effects but the actual effect is more certain than with an herbal remedy. Herbal supplements do not have to pass any type of FDA approval to be sold and many don’t have the rigorous research backing up their claims that you would find with a prescription product. Those tests ensure the product you are buying does what it says it does. As is the risk with any medication that hasn’t been thoroughly tested, you don’t know if it will be effective or just a waste of money.

Conclusion

Quickclear makes use of a number of ingredients that are widely believed to have immune system boosting properties. You will not find many of the herbs other products claim have anti-viral properties but there is a lack of evidence such herbs actually help fight viral infections.

I think Quickclear is on par with most other natural remedies you can find for herpes. I like how they actually list the ingredients but there isn’t much that would distinguish this particular product from any of the other herbal medications on the market. Be careful when considering any such medication because the effectiveness is a matter of debate. There isn’t much research to back up the claims and these pills can be expensive.

Viralprin is a popular medication that uses a natural blend of herbal extracts to relieve the symptoms of a herpes outbreak. The ingredients in Viralprin have been shown to boost the body’s immune system so it can better combat the outbreak of both HSV-1 and HSV-2.

What’s Inside?

As is the case with a lot of natural products on the market today, the actual ingredients and doses in Viralprin are hard to determine because the company uses a “proprietary blend.” A number of companies who supply natural supplements use the proprietary blend in order to keep their recipe under wraps. Since most natural ingredients can be easily obtained and packaged by competitors it is understandable why a company would want to protect their own recipe. Keeping the blend secret does not always mean they are trying to hide the fact that it is ineffective but it does make it difficult for the consumer to compare before purchasing.

The ingredients actually listed on the side of the bottle include Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid), Vitamin E (a d-alpha tocopherol), Folic Acid, Vitamin B-12 (as cyanocobalamin), Zinc (as zinc gluconate), Coenzyme Q10, lysine, Goldenseal (Root), Cat’s Claw (uncaria tomentosa), Astragalus (root) and Hyssop (aerial parts). All of these ingredients have been shown to boost immunity and help relieve viral infections and their symptoms but it is difficult to say how everything interacts without knowing what is in the proprietary blend and in what quantity.

Benefits

The benefits of a natural supplement over a prescription medication are pretty obvious. The only side effects of substances like Vitamin E or B-12 are healthy skin whereas a pharmaceutical grade product comes with a list of potential side effects so long I couldn’t fit it in this review. Most of the natural remedies can be obtained without a prescription and don’t run the risk of any long term damage. In many cases, natural remedies are also cheaper and more readily available.

Drawbacks

There is still little in the way of hard evidence that this type of herbal remedy really works. The basis of most natural medication is their ability to boost the body’s own natural defenses rather than attacking the problem head on. Without the studies that would come along with FDA approval there is always a risk that what you are buying won’t work at all. This is especially true here because the company provides very little in the way of research to back up their claims.

Conclusion

I have to put this product right along side all the other natural herpes medications on the market. I have reservations about the “proprietary blend” but I can’t really hold that against a company, especially if the blend actually works. The ingredients, that are actually listed, are well tested and safe but can be found in a lot of other less expensive products. Viralprin does come with a money back guarantee which is something you should always look for.

All in all, I think this is as good a product as a number of others I’ve seen and will likely yield similar results. Use price and promotional offers to differentiate between products when making your choice.

The VyGone Zapper is a mechanical device designed for the treatment of cold sores, genital sores, shingles, molluscum, moles and warts. When placed on a sore, the VyGone Zapper applies a mild electro waveform which is supposed to stop viral activities and allow “fast natural healing.” The Zapper can be used as soon as you feel the signature tingling before an outbreak or can be placed directly onto an open sore. The mild electronic wave is said to help prevent blisters and lesions from forming or speed the healing of existing outbreaks.

How Does VyGone Zapper Work?

To be most effective, the Vygone Zapper should be applied to a clean area. Then, the user places the metal probes across the affected or tingling area. The device has a RED start button which, when pushed, initiates a mild novel beta electro signal waveform to pass between the probes. Although harmless, some users have reported feeling a slight tickle or a mild shock-like sensation. Keeping the device on the affected area, watch for the light to turn on, this light then switches colors in a few seconds and will turn off when the process is finished.

Downside

This product does nothing to actually treat the virus. There are no mechanical aids that have ever been shown to help increase the body’s natural defenses against the infection that causes the outbreaks in the first place. This device may be effective at speeding recovery from an outbreak, even an outbreak yet to become severe, but is not a preventative tool for treating HSV-1 or HSV-2 in the system.

Benefits

This electrical device provides a safe, noninvasive remedy as opposed to harsh chemical treatments or expensive creams or pills that have to be used constantly. The Zapper is reported to simulate neural signals that stop the virus from activating while it is outside the nerves. Without viral interference, the body’s fast natural healing is then allowed to occur. Reports show the Zapper stops damage allowing sores to disappear in days instead of weeks. Some have also claimed to have seen preventative properties associated with its use if applied early at first itching, tingling or burning. Users can also apply the device as often as needed hourly, up to 8 times daily.

Final Thought

The Vygone Zapper is one of the more original products for the treatment of herpes you will find. It can be costly to constantly refill a prescription treatment or pay for ongoing natural remedies. With the Vygone Zapper there is no continuing financial responsibility. You may recognize similar successful products on the market that have been shown effective at treating other skin related problems such as acne. In the end, however, the same principle is being applied here as with any other herpes treatment you have found. The only real relief from these types of sores comes from the body’s own immune system. Whether that is accomplished using a mechanical device or a pill, the results will be the same.

Dynamiclear is a liquid solution containing sulphate with copper as a trace metal in an odorless herbal base. It is a topical solution meant to treat an active herpes related outbreak or cold sore. The company claims to be the only single application treatment on the market.

What’s Inside?

Dynamiclear makes use of the basic medicinal properties of Sulphur as the basis for its treatment. Sulphur is an incredible substance that has been used for literally hundreds of years to treat every type of infection and even gave rise to our modern antibiotic.

The Dynamiclear formula also includes a healthy dose of Hypericum perforatum, which is more commonly known as St. John’s Wort. This herbal extract has long been used to treat wounds and infections and has been shown to be an active weapon against viral particles. Some clinical studies suggest that Hypericum extract is effective in reducing the frequency and severity of recurrent episodes of herpes labialis (oral cold sores) and herpes genitalis (genital herpes). Hypericum perforatum is known to have potent antiviral and antibacterial properties which are an obvious benefit to a herpes victim.

If you compare most of the widely used natural herpes treatments on the market today, you will find these two ingredients are the base of most of them. In addition to Sulphur and St. John’s Wort, Dynamiclear includes calendula flower extract, vitamin E and aloe vera to nourish and soothe the skin as it heals. These botanical blends can help to reduce redness, itching, swelling and inflammation and help the skin return to its normal healthy state.

Upside

There are no ingredients in this product that have ever been shown to cause harmful or long term side effects when used. It is also meant to be a single application product whereas most other treatments require several applications over an extended period of time. Most users report that a single application of Dynamiclear was effective in reducing pain, irritation, swelling and the duration of an outbreak.

Downside

As with most topical treatments, Dynamiclear must be used on active sores. The company does claim to have some effect on future outbreaks but this product is more of a treatment than a preventative measure. The topical use of a sulphur based treatment on an active area also means a painful burning sensation as the compound penetrates the skin. This burning sensation is usually mild and does not last.

Also, Dynamiclear is not effective for all users. This is true of all medications but should be especially considered when purchasing a natural treatment.

Conclusion

Despite the claims, there is nothing in Dynamiclear that makes it much different than many of the other products available. Although each product on the market tries to differentiate itself, there is no effective difference between Dynamiclear and most of the other herpes treatments I have investigated. You could be just as happy with this product as any of the others so use price and company guarantees to choose which one is right for you.

Oxy-Fend combines a number of ingredients they claim have anti-viral properties and infuses them with oxygen in order to create an environment conducive to killing the herpes virus in the body. The product is said to be effective at treating the symptoms of genital warts, genital herpes, cold sores, HPV, syringoma and other related infections. The anti-viral properties of the blend, along with the oxygen, create an environment they claim is “deadly to the herpes virus.”

Ingredients

Oxy-Fend classifies its product as “bio-oxidative” which essentially means they make use of the ozone molecule. The ozone is used to create an effective “kill-zone for wart causing agents.”

Oxy-Fend also contains FDA-approved Salicylic Acid which is a treatment for the removal of warts associated with HPV. Salicylic Acid can also act as an antiseptic which Oxy-Fend claims will help prevent future outbreaks. Recently, Oxy-Fend added Green Tea Catechins which have been used as a treatment for wart removal but can also be an effective treatment for syringoma and cold sores.

The Use of Ozone

Oxy-Fend claims to be the most effective herpes treatment because of their use of ozone. Ozone is a molecule of oxygen atoms very similar to the one we breathe. The main difference being ozone, in large amounts, would be toxic if inhaled. Oxy-Fend cites research done by Dr. Paul Wentworth Jr. and his colleagues at the Scripps Research Institute connecting the ozone molecule with the body’s immune system.

The research done by Dr. Wentworth is the basis for using ozone as a medicine. According to the research cited by Oxy-Fend, cells produce ozone naturally in order to combat infection. This ozone kills dead, diseased or dying cells in the body by disrupting and destroying their cell membranes. By harnessing the immune properties of ozone with an effective delivery system, such as a topical cream, Oxy-Fend says they can mimic and greatly enhance the body’s own immune response.

Downside

Not knowing for sure if this new treatment is really as effective as the company claims is the biggest downside. There is some research to back up Oxy-Fend’s claim but it is a single report and companies have been known to spin research to their advantage even if the claims made by the researchers are not as groundbreaking as the company wants you to believe.

Upside

It can be exciting when a company comes to the marketplace with a previously unused treatment. I understand many herpes sufferers can get frustrated with ineffective treatments and are in search of something new that might actually work. This is not a widely known or used treatment for genital herpes, HPV or genital warts and, if effective, could be a good natural alternative to harsh medication.

Conclusion

There is a movement within the herpes treatment community toward the introduction of oxygen as a treatment for herpes. These types of treatments are not yet the standard but that does not mean they are not effective.

Acyclovir is the active ingredient in the trademarked drug Zovirax, and is used to decrease pain and speed the healing of sores or blisters in people who have varicella (chickenpox), herpes zoster (shingles), and first-time or repeat outbreaks of genital herpes. Acyclovir is also sometimes used to prevent outbreaks of genital herpes in people who are infected with the virus.

Acyclovir is in a class of antiviral medications called synthetic nucleoside analogues. It works by stopping the spread of the herpes virus in the body.

How Should It Be Used?

Acyclovir is traditionally taken orally and comes in a tablet, a capsule, or a suspension (liquid). It is usually taken with or without food two to five times a day for 5 to 10 days, starting as soon as possible after your symptoms begin. When acyclovir is used to prevent outbreaks of genital herpes (HSV-1), it is taken two to five times a day for up to 12 months. Acyclovir is a prescription medication and should be used with caution, taking care to follow the instructions given by your doctor. Taking an increased dosage or using the medicine for a longer period of time will not speed recovery or help prevent outbreaks.

Use of this product has been well documented to alleviate the symptoms of all forms of the herpes virus. If symptoms do not improve you should talk to your doctor. Also, Acyclovir operates much like an antibiotic would in your body. It is important to take the entire prescription as directed even if your symptoms lessen or disappear before the treatment is completed.

Other Uses

Acyclovir is sometimes used to treat eczema (a skin infection also caused by the herpes virus.) In cases of HIV, Acyclovir can be used to treat and prevent herpes infections of the skin, eyes, nose, and mouth.

Benefits

Acyclovir is the tried and true treatment for the herpes virus. There is very little to debate at this point as to the effectiveness of the drug.

Drawbacks

Like any prescription drug, Acyclovir has known side effects that you would not find with the use of a natural substance. The list of potential side effects documented by the FDA is so long I decided not to include them on this page for sake of space. It is unlikely that you will experience most or even some of these side effects but the increased risk should give you a reason to think twice before using a prescription medication. In addition to the side effects, there is mounting evidence that long term use of the drug could lead to resistant strains of the herpes virus.

Conclusion

It is hard to argue with decades of scientific research into the treatment of herpes. As I said, this is the tried and trusted remedy for both symptoms of herpes and the virus itself. There is a lot of evidence showing the effectiveness of this product that you will not find with any other treatment. Weigh the financial and health risks and benefits carefully before deciding.

Nexcare is an over-the-counter ointment for the topical treatment of cold sores. No prescription is necessary and Nexcare can be purchased at a number of retail outlets. The ointment contains the active ingredients benzocaine, allantoin, vitamin E and tea tree oil which are meant to be applied directly to a cold sore.

How Does It Work?

Benzocaine, the main ingredient in Nexcare, interferes with the actions of sodium in your nerve cells in a localized area. It works much the same way Novocain would or a topical treatment for tooth sensitivity.  Allantoin, the other main ingredient in Nexcare, is a substance that helps protect your skin and keep it moist. The vitamin E and tea tree oil essentially perform the same function as the Allantoin.

Does It Work?

It is well documented that the ingredients in Nexcare are effective remedies for the pain and discomfort associated with cold sores; however, there is no real evidence its ingredients have any properties that would actually affect the HSV-2 virus that causes the cold sore. 3M recommends you apply the cream up to four times a day and claim you should see results within the week. If symptoms do not improve, you should contact a doctor.

Downside

Nexcare is an effective treatment for the symptoms of HSV-2 but contains no virus fighting agents. There is no cure for the virus that causes cold sores to appear, but there are a number of things you can do to kill that virus as it flares up in your system. Nexcare does not help your body boost its immunity to viruses or directly affect the virus beyond alleviating the symptoms and limiting the spread of the sore.  Also, 3M does not list specific side effects but both benzocaine and tea tree oil has been known to cause skin irritation.

Upside

You know exactly what you are getting with Nexcare and 3M makes no claims beyond that. This is a topical cream meant to alleviate the pain and inflammation associated with a cold sore. The ingredients have been proven over the past hundred years to accomplish both those tasks and there is nothing extra added that does not help perform one of those two functions.

3M is one of the most trusted names in the consumer products market. Unlike some of the unknown names behind most herbal remedies, 3M is one of the most reputable companies in the world. Some people take comfort in the reputation of an established company that has a proven track record of manufacturing effective products.

Bottom Line

There isn’t much that can be said about this product. It is a simple topical cream with ingredients you can find in dozens of similar products. The price will vary widely depending on where it is purchased so I would use that as the determining factor when choosing a cold sore remedy. You can also look for generic compounds with similar dosages if price is an issue.

Never an Outbreak is a system of different compounds meant to treat all forms of herpes. The company claims that once you start using the product you can live “outbreak free” for the foreseeable future. The treatment is based on the assumption that a virus is less likely to survive and multiply in an environment with elevated oxygen levels. They give you an oxygen rich substance and a compound to help the excess oxygen penetrate the skin.

What Do You Get?

When you get the Never an Outbreak kit, expect to find a book about treating herpes, a container of rose-scented DMSO cream and a bottle of the Liquid Stabilized Oxygen. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a colorless liquid and is an important solvent. DMSO can be an effective delivery system for a herpes treatment because of its distinctive property of penetrating the skin very readily. The company offers very little in the way of explanation as to what Liquid Stabilized Oxygen is or what it does, except the company’s claim that a virus can’t live in the elevated oxygen environment.

Benefits

If the claims are accurate, this product would be tantamount to a cure for herpes. The company is very bold in their claim that it can permanently stop herpes related outbreaks but is careful to reiterate that there is, as of yet, no cure for herpes.

There are no harsh chemicals and no prescriptions needed. The few ingredients in the treatments you get are innocuous agents with few if any side effects.

Drawbacks

Contrary to the claims made on the website, there is really nothing “all natural” about DMSO or Liquid Stabilized Oxygen. I understand that DMSO is derived from wood pulp, which is natural, but even cocaine is derived from a simple plant. The latter, Liquid Stabilized Oxygen, seems to be more of a clever name for Hydrogen Peroxide than a new medical substance

There is also no real clinical research. The site is very vague about how exactly the DMSO treats herpes except an unsubstantiated claim about elevated oxygen levels. If a company comes out and all but tells you they have found a cure for herpes I would expect a little more foundational research. It makes me think something sounds too good to be true.

Final Thought

This is a very interesting product. It uses a different barrage of treatments and makes some pretty serious claims about what they can do yet there is very little evidence available that would either prove or disprove the claims.

When you look closely at DMSO it isn’t nearly as scientific as it might sound. Most agree that it is merely a solvent meant to help other substances penetrate the skin. The product is relatively expensive and is to be used for the rest of your life so there is some financial risk being placed solely on the shoulders of customer testimonials.