Apple Cider Vinegar For Cold Sores: Benefits And Side Effects

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How to Treat Cold Sores with Apple Cider Vinegar

Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — Written by Corey Whelan on December 10, 2018

Benefits
Treatment
Side effects and precautions
Other remedies
Summary

Overview

Cold sores are blisters that form on the lips, around and inside the mouth, and in the nose. You can get one or several in a cluster. Also referred to as fever blisters, cold sores are usually caused by HSV-1, a type of herpes simplex virus. They may also be caused by HSV-2, the virus responsible for genital herpes.

Cold sores go through several stages. They may start out looking like red spots, and go on to form fluid-filled, red bumps. The bumps may leak and form open sores. Eventually, the sores will become crusty and scab over until they’re completely healed.

Despite a lack of scientific evidence, some people believe that apple cider vinegar can be used to treat cold sores.

One theory is that the alkaline nutrients in apple cider vinegar reduce the potency of the virus that causes cold sores to occur.

Other people believe that apple cider vinegar has anti-infective properties, possibly making it useful for treating wounds, ulcers, and sores of all kinds. This theory dates back to Hippocrates (460–377 B.C.), who has been referred to as the father of modern medicine.

Apple cider vinegar for cold sore benefits

Apple cider vinegar has been shown scientifically to have antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Since cold sores are caused by a virus, not by bacteria, applying apple cider vinegar to a cold sore can’t cure it.

Apple cider vinegar is effective at removing dead skin cells, however. For this reason, it may help cold sores go away more quickly once they’ve reached the scabbing stage.

Because it has antiseptic properties, apple cider vinegar may also be beneficial at reducing the risk of secondary infection in an existing cold sore.

Treating cold sores with apple cider vinegar

Anecdotal evidence often precedes scientific evidence. If you wish to try using apple cider vinegar to treat cold sores at home, here are a few methods you can experiment with:

Diluted apple cider vinegar

Dilute apple cider vinegar with water in a 1:10 ratio.
Soak a cotton ball in this solution and apply it to cold sores one or two times daily until the scabs heal over.

Don’t use full-strength apple cider vinegar on your skin, as it may severely burn or irritate the area, causing scarring.

Apple cider vinegar and honey

Mix diluted apple cider vinegar with honey to make a paste.
Apply the paste to the cold sore one or two times daily for 5 to 10 minutes.
Gently dab with a soft cloth to remove. The honey may affix to the scabs, pulling them off prematurely if you remove this mixture too vigorously.

Apple cider vinegar and tea tree essential oil

Tea tree oil may help reduce inflammation and has also been shown to have an antiviral effect on HSV-1 and HSV-2.

Don’t use this at-home treatment if you have eczema.

Dilute about 5 drops of tea tree essential oil in 1 ounce of sweet almond oil or another carrier oil.
Combine the diluted oil with diluted apple cider vinegar.
Use this solution as a poultice to treat cold sores: Apply one or two times daily using a cotton ball, and leave it on the area for five minutes at a time.
Repeat until your cold sores go away completely.

Don’t swallow tea tree oil or let it enter your mouth, as it can be toxic. Tea tree oil can irritate the skin, so it may not be appropriate for everyone.

Apple cider vinegar for cold sore side effects and precautions

Even though it has alkaline properties, apple cider vinegar is an acid. It should never be used full strength on skin, especially on open sores, or in sensitive areas like around the eyes, mouth, or lips. It can cause serious burns, stinging, and irritation. It can also dry out skin, causing discomfort.

Other cold sore home remedies

If you have a cold sore, it’s important to treat it promptly. This will help stop it from spreading to other parts of your body, and to other people. The fastest way to do this may be by seeing a doctor, such as a dermatologist.

If you have a healthy immune system and don’t have atopic dermatitis, consider giving these other at-home remedies a try:

the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using an over-the-counter cold sore medication with benzyl alcohol or docosanol
eat foods high in lysine
use organic, unprocessed coconut oil, both topically and orally
apply diluted oregano oil directly to the cold sore
apply witch hazel directly to the cold sore
make a paste with the contents of licorice capsules and coconut oil, and apply it to the cold sore

The takeaway

Cold sores are caused primarily by the HSV-1 virus. Apple cider vinegar is an at-home remedy that is used by some people to treat cold sores. It hasn’t been scientifically demonstrated that this is an effective treatment, however.

If you do want to try apple cider vinegar to treat cold sores, it’s important to dilute the vinegar before using it on your skin to eliminate the risk of burns or irritation.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Genital herpes - CDC fact sheet. https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm
Cold sores. (n.d.). https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/contagious-skin-diseases/cold-sores
Gaby AR. (2006). Natural remedies for Herpes simplex. http://archive.foundationalmedicinereview.com/publications/11/2/93.pdf
Gavin MD. (2014). Cold sores (HSV-1). https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/cold-sores.html
Gopal J, et al. (2017). Authenticating apple cider vinegar’s home remedy claims: Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral properties and cytotoxicity aspect [Abstract]. DOI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29224370
Johnston CS, et al. (2006). Vinegar: medicinal uses and antiglycemic effect. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1785201
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Tea tree oil. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-tea-tree-oil/art-20364246
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Cold sore symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cold-sore/symptoms-causes/syc-20371017
Schnitzler P, et al. (2001). Antiviral activity of Australian tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil against herpes simplex virus in cell culture [Abstract]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11338678

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Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — Written by Corey Whelan on December 10, 2018

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