Instruction Sheet for Cold Sores

Cold Sores
Instructions for Patients
©2020 SQUIGLE, Inc.  (Last revision:  October 5, 2022)

These instructions are provided as a guide to patients who have been diagnosed by a physician or dentist. These Instructions have been created after hundreds of hours of discussions with patients and physicians. They are not meant to be rigid and unchanging. Of course, we hope they work for you. But if they don't, please contact SQUIGLE, Inc. at 1-877-718-0718 (9 am to 5 pm, EST).

This is crucial in preventing cold sores: Use either SQUIGLE® Toothpaste, SQUIGLE JR® Toothpaste, or Tooth Builder® Toothpaste exclusively. These three toothpastes, manufactured by Squigle, Inc., are free of SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and other irritating ingredients such as cocamidopropyl betaine, tartar control agents and bleaches. SQUIGLE's flavor is mild to prevent irritation of delicate tissues, SQUIGLE JR is raspberry flavored, and TOOTH BUILDER is flavor free. All have 36% Xylitol to prevent plaque and cavities better than regular toothpaste.

Cold sores (also called fever blisters and herpes simplex) are unattractive, painful ulcerations that appear mostly on the lips. They are caused by infection from one of the many herpes viruses. While most people are infected with one or more strains of herpes, very few exhibit symptoms. Most of the time, the virus is in a dormant state, but cold sores can recur when you're under physical or mental stress. Excess sunlight can also activate the latent (sleeping) virus and cause an eruption of cold sores. Irritating substances placed in the mouth can also trigger cold sores.

To Encourage Clear Lips:

Get enough sleep each night.

Take a multivitamin-mineral supplement daily.

Take 30 mg of zinc daily.

Avoid physical or mental stress.

Avoid sun exposure.

Avoid foods rich in arginine (such as chocolate, peanuts, sesame seeds and lentils).

Avoid spicy foods containing chili, pepper and strongly acid foods.


For Existing Cold Sores:

Brush only with SQUIGLE ^®, SQUIGLE JR^®, or TOOTH BUILDER^® Toothpaste.

For quick relief, apply Durham Farm Canker-Rid to the cold sore. It is a natural product made with honey bee propolis.

Apply docosanol cream (Abreva ^®) as directed.

Take 30 mg of zinc and 500 mg of L-Lysine daily.

Take Acyclovir (a prescription drug) as directed by healthcare provider.

Apply Benzocaine cream or gel for temporary pain relief.