Can You Get Rid of Cold Sore With Nail Polish Remover?

Cold sores are inconvenient in every sense. They are painful, just above the mouth and are nasty to look at. Some victims may even suffer secondary symptoms like distended glands and a sore throat. Did you know that nail polish remover can help you get rid of the cold sore?

Naturally, victims of this ailment are anxious to find a quick fix. But like any anomaly that blossoms on the facial region – acne, boils, or blisters, it takes time to finally get rid of them. There are several home remedies to take care of cold sores, one of which is to use nail polish remover. Let’s check out the myth and the facts behind this suggestion.

 

Does Nail Polish Remover Help Treating Cold Sore?

Yes, it does. Using creams and ointments will cause the sores to subside but it usually takes up to two weeks to be able to fully lose them. If you are looking for a quicker solution, nail polish remover is an option you can explore. You will need:

1. An acetone-based nail polish remover. The higher the acetone content the better.
2. A clean Q-tip: You may choose to keep a number of them close at hand
3. An ice pack
4. Tissue papers

Get Off Your Acrylics Without Acetone

 

How to Use Nail Polish Remover to Get Rid of Cold Sores

Here is a step-by-step directive and how to use nail polish remover on cold sores:

1. Wipe the surrounding area clean with tissue paper. Be careful not to tamper with the sores themselves.
2. Now, dip a clean Q-tip into the acetone-rich nail polish remover and dab at the cold sores. Do not press too hard. Also, it stings quite a bit but keeps holding the Q-tip in position for at least 10 minutes.
3. Remove the Q-tip and discard it. Apply an ice pack on the cold sores to numb the area and smother the stinging sensation.
4. Make sure that the ice pack does not moisten the cold cores. Apply Abreva on the sore.
5. Depending on how severe the outbreak of cold sores is, repeat the process multiple times. With repeated use of the nail polish remover, cold sores will eventually disappear.

Some people have reported a nearly instantaneous response, while others complain about its lack of efficiency. You should remember that there is little logical backing for this mode of treatment, which means that just by administering nail polish remover cold sores may or may not subside.

Nail Polish Remover Remedy: Watch out What the Expert Has to Say 

 

Is It Safe to Use Nail Polish Remover to Treat Cold Sores?

In fact, just like the internet is full of everyday hacks, there are also warnings and caveats, with regard to the use of nail polish remover to treat cold sores. Some scholars mention that the strong chemical composition of the nail polish remover can make the blisters look smaller, however, they actually lengthen the healing process.

Instead of a couple of weeks, a cold sore might end up taking a month to completely disappear. Also, there is the risk of scarring around the mouth.

Nail Polish & Remover During Pregnancy 

 

It seems to be true that using nail polish remover cold sore can be eradicated, but it is safe so long as the outbreak is nominal. For severe cases, you might want to resort to more traditional, medical methods, in the form of ointments and creams.