Gosh, I've Got a "Cold" Sore

[Christine]

Don't you just love that they call it a "cold sore" when in fact it a "herpes" blister.

I haven't had one of these in about 15 years. I used to get one every summer before they started making Chap-Stik with sunblock. Now I don't ever get them.

But, I got so stressed out on Tuesday over my mammogram/ultrasound results, I guess I stressed myself right into an eruption. Great, huh?

 

[Chicago526]

I tend to get them right before I get sick, so for me they ARE "cold" sores! And it sounds so much nicer than Herpes, doesn't it?

I find that if I just put zinc oxide on it right away and also use Abreva, it never becomes noticable to other people and it heals in about 3 days or so.

Hope it goes away fast!

 

[allie&mattsmom]

I tend to get them when I'm run down or have a virus. I HATE cold sores! I have a prescription ointment called Denavir. If I start using it when I first feel the symptoms, most of the time I can keep it under control.

 

[EthansMom]

Get some Abreva -- it's the best! It'll cost about $14 for a little tiny tube, but it works. I get cold sores/heat blisters about 2-3 times per year.

 

[chrissyk]

I echo the advice about Abreva! That stuff works wonders.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I get them about once a month! I take a 1 day course of Valtrex when I get them, which helps. I have an Rx for a preventative course of Valtrex, but one of the side effects is headaches so I'm scared to take it daily (I have chronic migraines and don't need to take something that might increase headaches, if that's even possible).

The trick with the cold sores is to start the treatment at the first tickle/twinge of the cold sore.

So you think the chapstick helps? I just bought some chapstick with sunscreen--now to remember to put it on!

 

[allie&mattsmom]

Get some Abreva -- it's the best! It'll cost about $14 for a little tiny tube, but it works. I get cold sores/heat blisters about 2-3 times per year.

If the Abreva doesn't work (which it never has for me) ask your doctor to call in the Denavir. It's the only thing for me that works.

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

I get them about once a month! I take a 1 day course of Valtrex when I get them, which helps. I have an Rx for a preventative course of Valtrex, but one of the side effects is headaches so I'm scared to take it daily (I have chronic migraines and don't need to take something that might increase headaches, if that's even possible).

The trick with the cold sores is to start the treatment at the first tickle/twinge of the cold sore.

So you think the chapstick helps? I just bought some chapstick with sunscreen--now to remember to put it on!

I take Valtrex, too, and only take it when I think one is coming on or I will take one when I get sick just to make sure I don't get one. Have you noticed that because of those stupid commercials that when people see you're on that, they think you have herpes in another location? Not that I tell people, but everytime I have to get a new doctor due to lovely teacher insurance changes, I feel like I have to really convince them I do not have that. And then the pharmacist always starts lecturing me about how to take care of the 'other' outbreaks! I'll be glad when those commercials don't air anymore!

 

[buzzlady]

Abreva does nothing for me. I take Lysine as soon as I think one is coming or if I have a cold (usually get a cold sore when I get a cold).

 

[Christine]

Well, I fortunately already have prescription for Zovirax (simiar to Denavir). I keep a tube on hand in case I get one (although it has been 10 years). So, I started applying it right away. It's definitely a cold sore but I seem to be keeping it from progressing with the Zovirax.

I still just can't believe I got one after so many years.

Also, for the person that asked--yes, the chapstick with sunblock works *if* your sores are triggered by sun. I would get a cold sore every year after my week at the beach. Once I started using the sunblock, it never happened again.

 

[SandraM]

If it's available in the US, take Lysine. It's an amino acid, beyond that I don't know anything, but it works! When you have an attack, take about a half a dozen a day till you see an improvement. Then take a maintenance dose of 1 or 2 a week right up to 1 or 2 a day, depending on what works for you. I haven't had a cold sore for years now since I discovered Lysine.

 

[DawnCt1]

If it's available in the US, take Lysine. It's an amino acid, beyond that I don't know anything, but it works! When you have an attack, take about a half a dozen a day till you see an improvement. Then take a maintenance dose of 1 or 2 a week right up to 1 or 2 a day, depending on what works for you. I haven't had a cold sore for years now since I discovered Lysine.

Sandra, you are right about the Lysine. But did you know that when you first feel that itchy, tingly feeling, before any blisters erupt, if you hold an ice cube to your lip for at least 20 minutes, you will avert an outbreak? I read that 30 years ago in Lancet and its works.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

The sun does trigger at least some of my cold sores, so I will start making sure I wear chapstick. I went on Topamax for migraine prevention this last spring and got 4 cold sores in 3 weeks. Ugh, that was awful!

I also have recently started taking Lysine ( 1 500mg tablet/day). I just started 2-3 weeks ago so don't know if it will help the frequency. I will up the dose if and when I have an outbreak.

Texan Mouseketeer, I've never had a pharmacist comment on the Valtrex, but I do wonder if they think I have the "other herpes". I guess they also think I have high blood pressure because of being on BP meds for migraine prevention (actually, I have low BP LOL).

I think I'm falling apart some days!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Sandra, you are right about the Lysine. But did you know that when you first feel that itchy, tingly feeling, before any blisters erupt, if you hold an ice cube to your lip for at least 20 minutes, you will avert an outbreak? I read that 30 years ago in Lancet and its works.

I do that, also. I haven't really noticed that it helps, but I figure it won't hurt. I do try to do it when my kids are not around so they don't think I've totally lost it!

 

[kirbsam]

There is a new drug on the market called viroxyn. best thing going. ask your dentist. learned about it last year. i give it to my patients. works great. just rub it on the spot as soon as you feel it come on, and thats it.

 

[Christine]

There is a new drug on the market called viroxyn. best thing going. ask your dentist. learned about it last year. i give it to my patients. works great. just rub it on the spot as soon as you feel it come on, and thats it.

Oh, thanks for that suggestion. I get my Zovirax from my dentist also. I have an appointment with her on 11/28 and I will certainly ask for it.

 

[Figment22]

The other posters to this thread have suggested many of the "cures" I use like Valtrex, Zovirax, Abreva and L-lysine. Two other suggestions, more for prevention than for a cure. The first is acidophilus, which is found in active yogurt cultures (you can also take it in OTC pill form, but the natural form is more effective.) Another thing to consider: I don't know if you take Vitamin C on a daily basis as I do but the standard form (Ascorbic Acid) can be a contributor to cold sores. I have switched to Ester C and have gotten fewer cold sores since I switched.

 

[m&m's mom]

I take Valtrex, too, and only take it when I think one is coming on or I will take one when I get sick just to make sure I don't get one. Have you noticed that because of those stupid commercials that when people see you're on that, they think you have herpes in another location? Not that I tell people, but everytime I have to get a new doctor due to lovely teacher insurance changes, I feel like I have to really convince them I do not have that. And then the pharmacist always starts lecturing me about how to take care of the 'other' outbreaks! I'll be glad when those commercials don't air anymore!

I know how you feel. I have been battling fever blisters my whole life. My Dad swears that his Mother kissed me when I was a baby when she had one so I would get one too. She was not a very nice person.
When I was a little kid I got teased unmercifully "Who hit you?". Then when I got older it was "You have herpes!". Yeah, well not THAT kind.
Finally when I was in HS my Dr. told me about Aclovir (sp?). It has been a miracle drug for me. I take 5 pills as soon as I feel the tingle and it never goes full blown.
When I went to the pharmacy to get it re-filled I made sure I had huge obvoius outbreak so they would not think it was the other kind.
Finally my Sister became a Dr. and I have her give me the Rx so I can get it mailorder.
I take my Aclovir were ever I go because if you don't start treatment immediately it can get full blown quickly.

 

[m&m's mom]

I know how you feel. I have been battling fever blisters my whole life. My Dad swears that his Mother kissed me when I was a baby when she had one so I would get one too. She was not a very nice person.
When I was a little kid I got teased unmercifully "Who hit you?". Then when I got older it was "You have herpes!". Yeah, well not THAT kind.
Finally when I was in HS my Dr. told me about Aclovir (sp?). It has been a miracle drug for me. I take 5 pills as soon as I feel the tingle and it never goes full blown.
When I went to the pharmacy to get it re-filled I made sure I had huge obvoius outbreak so they would not think it was the other kind.
Finally my Sister became a Dr. and I have her give me the Rx so I can get it mailorder.
I take my Aclovir were ever I go because if you don't start treatment immediately it can get full blown quickly.

ETA - Aclovir and Zovirax are the same thing.

 

[m&m's mom]

What a nerd - I quoted myself.