Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Salt has been traditionally used as a home remedy for cold sores (herpes labialis), primarily due to its perceived drying and antiseptic properties. Anecdotal reports and folk medicine often suggest applying salt directly to the lesion to dry out the sore and potentially reduce healing time. However, there is minimal scientific evidence to support the efficacy of salt in treating cold sores. Clinical studies or robust trials assessing salt application for herpes simplex virus (HSV) lesions are lacking. The primary rationale is based on salt’s osmotic effect, which draws moisture from tissues and may create an environment less favorable for viral activity or secondary bacterial infection. Despite this, salt can cause significant pain and irritation when applied directly to broken skin, and it does not target the HSV virus itself. Modern medical guidelines do not recommend salt as a treatment; instead, antiviral medications (such as acyclovir) have proven efficacy. Thus, while the use of salt for cold sores is rooted in tradition, there is limited to no scientific validation for its effectiveness, and its use is not endorsed by dermatological or infectious disease experts.

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