Cold Sores

[Jasminesmommy]

Does anyone else get them? I have had them since a young child and still get them.I get them in outbreaks and on like my 6 one in 2 months time. Any tips on how to get rid of them faster?

 

[Razor Roman]

This sounds weird, and kind of gross and freaky, but they are caused by the Herpes virus, different variation than the nasty genital kind - so you can get a Herpes medication to clear them up.

 

[DawnCt]

As a long term sufferer of cold sores since child hood, here is one major tip. I read it in Lancet's British medical journal years ago before the anti viral agents came out. When you first feel that "itchy, tingling feeling", put an ice cube directly on the spot and hold it there for at least 30 minutes. You can remove it briefly during that time for comfort but only for a few seconds. It will almost always avert an outbreak or if you do get one, it will be very small and not last long. In the event that you don't get the ice on in time or you wake up with one, get a perscription from your MD. Valtrex is a drug that can be taken just two times a day (I think). After 48 hours on Valtrex you can apply Hydrocortisone cream to the lesion and it will be completely gone in a week. This treatment shortens the life of a lesion by at least three or four days. Good luck and don't get over tired.

 

[rascalmom]

Abreva (over-the-counter) to help heal.

Acyclovir (by prescription) to help control and shorten outbreaks.

L-Lysine (over-the-counter) dietary supplement (protein) to help prevent outbreaks.

DH is a dentist & these are the treatments he recommends. Yes, this is caused by a virus and it is contagious when you have an active sore. Trauma, stress & possibly chocolate can trigger outbreaks.

 

[BWVDenise]

I had the biggest cold sore I've ever seen about a month ago. I used the Abreva but it didn't seem to help much. Now I have a very noticable scar that I can only hope goes away with time. I didn't even pick at the darned thing!

 

[Scratch42]

Put Vitamin E Oil on it.

On the first sign of an outbreak, that tingling feeling, put cheap perfume on it! Something to do with the high alcohol content.

Also, I've found that using Carmex on a daily basis has helped keep the cold sores at bay.

Scratch

 

[Wishing on a star]

DH was plagued by cold-sores. Years ago, as a teen, a physician friend of his family told him to take the L-lysine EVERY day. He does, and it REALLY works. Now, he only very very occasionally gets one.

The best thing is Zovirax ointment (by prescription) This is expensive, but it really does work!!!

Over the counter, abreva is supposed to help, but it will not stop an oncoming cold sore dead in its tracks like Zovirax will.

I would rather use a topical anti-viral than take one orally, like Valtrex. Only if this were a big problem would I want to do that.

The key to ANY treatment is to start AT THE FIRST TINGLE!!! Once these things really get going. I don't think anything can stop them.

Also, related. Mouth sores, or canker sores inside the mouth. I have had these. Boy are they painfull!!! I found that using a toothpaste high in baking soda has completely eliminated them! Or even a toothpaste/gel with the baking soda along with Peroxide. Right now I am using Arm and Hammer 'Brilliant Sparkle'. Another good one is Mentadent. Discovering this has been a lifesaver! And I wanted to pass the word along.

 

[Charleneluvsdisney]

I don't get them, but my husband does, and he swears by Denavir. It is prescription but he says it works quickly.

Thanks for the canker sore tips - I do get those and they are painful! I have used milk of magnesia on mine (a tip from someone else) and that seems to help those too!

 

[trip]

Too much sun usually triggers them for me. As soon as I feel that tingly feeling I hold an ice cube on it.

 

[Figment22]

When I get cold sores, it looks as if I've been in a prize fight with a heavyweight boxer I've have tried just about everything over the years. Prevention is the best way to begin: I take a daily L-lysine supplement. Another good preventative is acidophilus which is the active culture found in yogurt. It is available as a pill from GNC, etc. but obviously the best way to get it is to eat some yogurt each day. If you take Vitamin C supplements regularly this can increase the chances of getting cold sores as the acid in ascorbic acid promotes them. I have gotten fewer cold sores since I switched to Ester-C which is non acidic. (It's also easier on your stomach.)

When you do get them, I agree that to keep swelling down hold some ice on your lip at the first tingle. I have found that Abreva works about the best of any of the over the counter products out there. I have a prescription for Zovirax but I honestly find that Abreva works better for me than the Zovirax does.

 

[swea_pea1]

I only get them in the summer months (the exposure to sun does it for me), so my doctor prescribes Valtrex to take once a day between about May or so until September. I also use sunblock on my lips for prevention....the strongest they have is 30 spf I think. Occasionally, I'll get one along with a winter cold, then I use Zovirax topical cream.