COMPARE PRODUCT OPTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS

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No reduction in duration or severity of the infection. 

1. Camphor, menthol, eucalyptus oil, phenol can be good at providing temporary or partial relief of symptoms.  

2. Benzocaine and/or lidocaine are topical anesthetic agents. They treat the symptoms by blocking the nerve signals to the brain. 

3. Dimethicone, mineral oil, petrolatum act to retain moisture and may help provide relief after the formation of a scab, but the cold sore still has to go through its 7-14+ day healing process. They can be inconvenient by leaving a visible residue since they do not get absorbed by the skin. 

4. Glycerin is a humectant, which means it helps to retain moisture and can help soften a scab that forms, but the cold sore still has to go through its 7-14+ day healing process.

5. Lysine is an amino acid that blocks another amino acid , arginine, which promotes HSV replication. It is taken either orally or applied topically. Reports indicate varied rates of success for different individuals. And it is dependent on high dosage when used orally.  

6. Table salt (sodium chloride) or epsom salt.  A “home” remedy that may be suggested on well-meaning websites or social media posts. Direct application of salt to a cold sore blister/scab may be able to help drying out the liquid-filled blister or scabs, but salt can cause the skin to crack, which can prolong the recovery process. 

NOTE: These descriptions of treatment options are not meant to suggest medical advice, and do not provide a comprehensive review, but are provided as general information so you can start to assess your situation with your doctor on how best to treat your symptoms.    

1. Docosanol based cold sore treatments, must start within 2 days of the first sign of symptoms, typically tingling or itch, for any noticeable benefit. Docosanol is not effective once a cold sore/ blister is formed because it works by preventing the virus from entering healthy cells. If treatment does not begin early, the virus will have already entered a large number of the host's cells, which means that it would have spread and replicated rapidly. At this stage, there is no benefit in preventing viral entry as this process has already been completed. 

Clinical studies with docosanol report: 

“..... median time to healing in 370 docosanol-treated patients was 18 hours shorter than observed in 367 placebo-treated patients.....” (Sacks; et al; , J Amer Acad Dermatology. 2001, Aug;) 

This means it reduces healing time by less than a day in a lesion that typically lasts 7-14 days. 

2. Acyclovir, valacyclovir (Valtrex) and penciclovir (Denavir) require a prescription in the USA. These agents are nucleoside analogues that work by blocking replication of viral DNA. Like docosanol, these prescription medications do not kill the virus. By their own recommendations, application should start before the cold sore lesions have formed (i.e. within 2 days of the onset of symptoms), or there is likely no noticeable benefit. 

The reduction in symptom duration is limited with use of these agents.  For example, it has been shown that a nucleoside analogue: “….only reduces the healing process in little more than 2 days ...."   (Alvarez,  Front Microbiol, 2020, Feb; 11:139)

2 days shorter duration is a relatively minor improvement for a lesion that can last 7-14 days, or longer.  

A yet further limitation is that the virus can develop resistance to these medications for individuals who use them frequently, rendering them ineffective at some point.  

3. Hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol.  These are mentioned merely because you may find them as so-called “home” remedies.  You might read about these on well-meaning websites or social media posts. Note that they will sting an open blister or scab. More importantly, they can damage surrounding healthy tissue, can lengthen healing time and can leave a scar. Efficacy has not been proven.

NOTE: These descriptions of treatment options are not meant to suggest medical advice, and do not provide a comprehensive review, but are provided as general information so you can start to assess your situation with your doctor on how best to treat your symptoms.      

Understanding how Zap-H™ accelerates cold sore disappearance and healing. 

Zap-H™ comprises a combination of ingredients that together synergistically disrupt the protective viral envelope, which clears the path to healing. In laboratory (i.e., in-vitro) studies viral envelope disruption results in the dissolution of viral particles.  

Healing is proposed to be furthe promoted due to known antibacterial & antifungal properties of Zap-H™ ingredients.  This is because any microbial, e.g., bacterial, infection would otherwise impair healing of a wound or sore.  Such antiseptic properties of Zap-H™ ingredients have been demonstrated both in the lab and in animal studies.  Antibacterial and antifungal properties of Zap-H™ingredients have been known for over 40 years from prior laboratory studies.  However, such a mecchanism has not been approved by the FDA. 

What could be more “natural” than "THE BODY’S OWN™? 

Key ingredients in Zap-H™ are the same as certain protective agents produced by the human body to fight, not only viruses, but other pathogenic microbes. We put The Body’s Own ingredients into a package for your convenient use and enhanced their performance by combining them with a special blend of food grade ingredients.  Notably, mother's milk has similar enhancing agents. 

Why is Zap-H™ more effective? 

The herpes virus relies on certain protective mechanisms that challenge the body’s immune system in fighting cold sore infections.  The viral envelope plays a role in the viruses' ability to survive in the body. 

Zap-H™ is the only treatment that disrupts and dissolves the viral envelope.  

Finally, Zap-H™ is formulated for rapid skin absorption.  The ability of the active ingredients to penetrate the skin is a vital component adding to its effectiveness. 

NOTE:  These descriptions of treatment options are not meant to suggest medical advice, nor to provide a comprehensive review, but are provided as general information so you can start to assess your situation with your doctor on how best to treat your symptoms.