You can type in [ivermectin and cold sores] and any research should pop up. I use a drop of Melissa oil and a homeopathic if I feel a cold sore coming on and it stops it in its' tracks. The next time I may experiment with taking ivermectin internally and using it externally. That is how it is used or scabies which it is well known for treating. There are topical products ot there with Melissa in it so you don't have to buy an expensive oil. It'll be fun to see what all ivermectin can do.