There's some crazy heat machine a company sells in Canada. It's supposed to deliver 30 seconds of high-impact heat on a cold sore to stimulate the cold sore into the blistering stage.

On the flipside of that, I read that applying cold may help relieve the pain of a cold sore, but will slow the healing process.

I get cold sores more then most people that I talk to. I'm not sure why that is nor does my doctor. Because I get them so often I have had a chance to try most remedies and treatments out there.

I have tried heat and cold and I would have to say for me the heat has worked better but it wasn't a complete solution. I have also tried the most common prescription drugs and have found that they do work well but they are very expensive if you don't have insurance.

About 2 years ago I found my favorite solution which is called vygone. I found a video on youtube of a guy that was talking about his experience with it and I bought one. I have used it for the last 2 years and have to say that I have been successful in actually preventing 8 or 9 cold sores from even breaking the surface of my lip by using it.

Anyway, there are lot's of options. If you have insurance that covers cold sore medications I'd go that rout but if you don't vygone works as well or better in my opinion. I do like the fact that you aren't pumping your body full of drugs when you use it.

anyway good luck with cold sores.