Carmex Cold Sore Treatment Balm may be a better option for reducing discomfort from cold sores than Cold Sore Classic Lip Balm. However, neither of these products can actually speed up the healing of cold sores. Read more details about Carmex and how it can help with cold sores.
What are cold sores?
Cold sores (aka fever blisters) are small blisters that appear on or around the lips. They are mainly caused by herpes virus type 1 (HSV-1). In a few cases, it can be caused by herpes virus type 2 (HSV-2).
Once we get infected, the virus can stay dormant in our nerves and can reactivate if our immune system is suppressed like physical fatigue, a cold, cancer, and so on.
A lot of people have this virus but not everyone presents with the symptoms.
The outbreak of cold sores goes through several stages: burning and itching, followed by blisters, then oozing and crusting followed by healing.
Cold sores are often accompanied by pain and discomfort. It usually takes 1-2 weeks for cold sores to heal.
The virus can easily spread from one person to another via direct contact or sharing common things like toothbrushes, lip balm, etc.
The brand
Carmex has several lip products. Their first product or the original lip balm is Carmex classic lip balm medicated. It comes in a jar, tube, or stick form. The stick version also provides sun protection (SPF 15).
In 2010, the brand came out with Carmex cold sore treatment balm, Daily care, and Comfort care range.
Let’s talk about the original lip balm first and see if it can help cold sores.
Carmex lip balm
The ingredients in the classic medicated version are:
- Active ingredients
- Camphor 1.70%, White Petrolatum 45.30%
- Inactive Ingredients
- Lanolin, Cetyl Esters, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Paraffinum Liquidum, Beeswax, Menthol, Salicylic Acid, Phenol, Vanillin, Flavor
The active ingredient camphor can relieve pain and discomfort associated with cold sores. It also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Petrolatum is an occlusive that can form a barrier on the lips. This prevents loss of moisture from the skin and protects the skin from outside aggressors.
In the inactive ingredients, there are some emollients like cocoa seed butter which is rich in fatty acids. Lanolin is a wax derived from sheep’s wool and is a great moisturizer that can strengthen the skin barrier.
Beeswax is obtained from honey bees and has moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid which is an exfoliant and can remove dead skin cells.
Menthol in this can give a cooling sensation and temporarily relieve itching and pain.
Overall, this lip balm can be helpful for cold sores by easing discomfort. However, some ingredients in this can also cause irritation or other reactions.
- Lanolin and beeswax can cause allergic reactions.
- Phenol, camphor, and menthol can lead to skin irritation.
So, if you have sensitive skin, watch out for any of these reactions (Read my full review on Carmex classic lip balm here).
The brand has another product that might be even better at dealing with cold sores. It’s their cold sore treatment.
Carmex cold sore treatment balm
The ingredients in Carmex cold treatment are:
- Active Ingredients
- Benzocaine 10%, White Petrolatum 44.69%
- Inactive Ingredients
- Polyethylene Glycol, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Behenyl Olivate, PPG-51 SMDI Copolymer, Mica, Synthetic Wax, Calcium Silicate, Flavor, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Silica, Tin Oxide, Iron Oxides (C.I 77491, C.I 77492, C.I 77499)
Carmex cold treatment has benzocaine and petrolatum as active ingredients. Benzocaine can numb the nerves and help decrease pain and discomfort associated with cold sores. Petrolatum can form a barrier on the surface and retain the skin’s moisture.
Taking a look at the inactive ingredients in the cold sore treatment balm, they are quite different from the classic lip balm. It doesn’t have ingredients like menthol, phenol, or salicylic acid which can cause skin sensitivity in a few people.
It has some thickeners and minerals like silicates along with iron oxides. So, this balm can not only relieve pain but can also help in camouflaging the area affected by cold sores.
It also has a flavor ingredient that may or may not cause any irritation.
Overall, the cold sore treatment balm looks a much better option when it comes to cold sores.
Does Carmex help cold sores?
Both Carmex lip balm and cold sore treatment can only help in relieving pain and discomfort from cold sores (fever blisters). They do not lead to faster healing of cold sores.
There are some prescription antiviral medications that may shorten the healing time of cold sores. Abreva is an over-the-counter topical that may shorten healing time (more on it, below in this article).
Can it cause cold sores?
Cold sores are caused by herpes virus (type 1 and 2). The virus can stay silent in our body and can reactivate when our immune system is suppressed.
Carmex has ingredients that can help with cold sores. It’s unlikely for it to cause cold sores. However, it is important to not use any irritating skin care products if you are prone to cold sore outbreaks.
If Carmex leads to any skin irritation, it’s best to stop using it.
Can it prevent cold sores?
Carmex lip balms are not meant to prevent cold sores. The brand makes no such claims. These lip balms are meant to relieve pain associated with cold sores.
For preventing cold sores:
- Avoid direct contact with a person who has cold sores.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Get a good night’s sleep to avoid physical stress and fatigue.
- Practice good hygiene to avoid getting sick.
- Protect your lips from the sun and use lip sunscreen every day.
In a few cases, when someone gets recurrent outbreaks of cold sores, a doctor may prescribe prophylactic treatment with a low dose of antivirals.
Alternatives
There are several other over-the-counter alternatives to Carmex. Here are two good options:
1. Abreva cold sore cream
This is an over-the-counter medication that contains an ingredient “Docosanol” which is approved by the FDA. Docosanol is an antiviral and is at a 10% concentration in this topical. This may reduce the healing time of cold sores.
In comparison, most other over-the-counter topicals usually help with pain and discomfort and do not affect the healing of cold sores.
This is what the official website says:
“Abreva cold sore cream can heal a cold sore in as few as 2½ days when used at the first sign of an outbreak”.
The ingredients in Abreva are:
- Active Ingredients: Docosanol 10%
- Inactive Ingredients: Benzyl alcohol, light mineral oil, propylene glycol, purified water, sucrose distearate, sucrose stearate
As you can see, most of the inactive ingredients are emollients, occlusive, or thickeners. It doesn’t have any essential oils or other potential irritants.
2. Orajel cold sore treatment
This is another alternative that is very popular. It has minimal ingredients.
The ingredients are – Benzalkonium chloride 0.13%, benzocaine 4%, isopropyl alcohol (73% v/v), and water.
Benzocaine in this can help in relieving pain and benzalkonium chloride has antimicrobial properties. Just like Carmex, this also helps in relieving pain by numbing the area.
Read more: Is Carmex Cruelty-Free and Vegan?
Summary
Carmex is well known for its lip products, especially in association with cold sores. While the Carmex classic lip balm may help in relieving discomfort, Carmex cold sore treatment may be a better option for cold sores.
However, both of these do not affect the healing of cold sores. Abreva cold sore cream is an over-the-counter alternative that may decrease the healing time of cold sores.
Read more:
- Cold sores: Causes, Treatment, Fever blisters vs cold sores
- Cold sores stages, with pictures
- Cold sores pictures and symptoms
- Canker Sore vs. Fever Blister (Cold Sore)
Disclaimer: This blog post is for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice.