*preventing* cold sores?

[mafibisha]

Oldest DD insists she's getting a cold sore (she had a little one years ago) Her friend read somewhere that there's something topical you can buy OTC that prevents them. ??

Anyone know what it could be? Or other ways to prevent one?

(Thankfully, I've never had one! )

 

[golfgal]

Abreva will help lessen the severity and how long it lasts but it doesn't prevent them-topical ointment you can buy-tiny, tiny blue tube of stuff. There is a medication you can take to prevent them but it seems silly to take something when you get one every couple years.

 

[mafibisha]

Abreva will help lessen the severity and how long it lasts but it doesn't prevent them-topical ointment you can buy-tiny, tiny blue tube of stuff. There is a medication you can take to prevent them but it seems silly to take something when you get one every couple years.

She only had one a few years ago or so when she was 12 or 13 or so, after a terrible cold.

So what is the medication? Is it RX or OTC?

 

[Wishing on a star]

If you can get it TOMORROW, see your Dr. or clinic and get some Zovirax.
Nothing helps once they start to go full-blown.
But, at the first sign of tingling and redness, Zovirax will do the best job of stopping and curing these.
Yes, it might be expensive. But that isn't a real issue... it is def. worth it!
I believe it is Rx.... I don't think it ever got approved for OTC.
You could call your pharmacy and ask.

Also, if you have any, or can get some right away...
She can/should take good doses of L-Lysine.

If she, or anyone you know, is bothered by frequent cold sores, this is definitely known to help take care of the problem. My husband knows from experience. As was prescribed by their family doctor who was a friend.

We also use a baking soda and peroxide toothpaste (recommend arm and hammer) And this seems to help greatly with cold sores and canker sores. I have had a few of those... but haven't been bothered since switching to a good baking soda and peroxide toothpaste.

 

[gawrsh2008]

Lysene is a supplement you can give her to prevent cold sores/fever blisters. I take one when I feel one coming on and continue taking it until the itchy feeling goes away.

You can find it by the vitamins.

 

[mafibisha]

If you can get it TOMORROW, see your Dr. or clinic and get some Zovirax.
Nothing helps once they start to go full-blown.
But, at the first sign of tingling and redness, Zovirax will do the best job of stopping and curing these.
Yes, it might be expensive. But that isn't a real issue... it is def. worth it!
I believe it is Rx.... I don't think it ever got approved for OTC.
You could call your pharmacy and ask.

Also, if you have any, or can get some right away...
She can/should take good doses of L-Lysine.

If she, or anyone you know, is bothered by frequent cold sores, this is definitely known to help take care of the problem. My husband knows from experience. As was prescribed by their family doctor who was a friend.

We also use a baking soda and peroxide toothpaste (recommend arm and hammer) And this seems to help greatly with cold sores and canker sores. I have had a few of those... but haven't been bothered since switching to a good baking soda and peroxide toothpaste.

Thank you! Is Zovirax topical or in pill form?
How about L-Lysine?

 

[gawrsh2008]

The L-Lysine is a pill. I am pretty sure Zovirax, like Abreva, is topical.

 

[DawnCt1]

The second that she feels that itchy, tingling feeling, apply an ice cube directly to the area and hold it there for 20 minutes. She may need a wash cloth to hold it, and it will melt so she will need to replace it, but I have had good luck with this method of preventing cold sores. It works as long as you are awake, near ice and recognize the feeling. I read this in Lancet back in 1970 when I was in nursing school. It works. Once you have a breakout; Zovirax.

 

[donaldduck352]

Lysene is a supplement you can give her to prevent cold sores/fever blisters. I take one when I feel one coming on and continue taking it until the itchy feeling goes away.

You can find it by the vitamins.

This does work!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, you would get topical Zovirax
L Lysine is a pill... a safe 'supplement'.

 

[mafibisha]

Thanks all, so much. I LOVE the DIS!!!

Okay, now she's saying that its kinda *twitching*, and that didn't happen when she had one before. Have you ever had that, or heard of that?

Thanks again everyone!!!

 

[emer95]

If it's twitching, it might be a doozy! :scared

The only thing that works is Zovirax. I would call the doctor tomorrow and get her a perscription. I take 2 pills at the first sign of a cold sore, and it stops them instantly. I suffered with big, honkin' ugly things for years! They were huge, painful and embarrassing and would take over a week I don't get them as often.

Good luck to your daughter!

 

[Poohs Pal]

Thank you! Is Zovirax topical or in pill form?
How about L-Lysine?

If you have a Whole Foods Market near you they carry the L-Lysine in a topical lip balm. I use it along with a supplement at the first tingling of a cold sore. Susan

 

[pixiewings71]

I just use vitamin E oil. It comes in capsule form, I pop the capsule with a needle or safety pin and apply the oil directly to my cold sore. Last time I had this happen (it was actually DD that had the cold sore) we found vitamin E oil in a bottle so we have that on hand for now.

 

[vickyBaby]

If you can find it: Red Marine Algae pills

 

[aprilgail2]

If you can get it TOMORROW, see your Dr. or clinic and get some Zovirax.
.

I have a friend that gets them and this is what she uses and it works. She is a nurse and when she has a cold sore/herpes breakout she can't go to work so she needed to find something that worked quick or she would lose money!

 

[cm8]

The L-Lysine is a pill. I am pretty sure Zovirax, like Abreva, is topical.

I agree with Lysine and vitamin C that helps my husband a lot and he does also use a topical to treat it if it blisters

 

[hambirg]

I have used Lysine in the past and it does work. . .it's very soothing. However, I know this sounds kind of gross, but it really works, ear wax! You have to apply it as soon as you feel the tingling of a cold sore coming on. I have done this for years now and as long as you do it at the first signs it works and prevents the cold sore from becoming full blown. I like it because you always have it with you, it's free, and it really does work.

 

[ohiomom28]

The L-Lysine is a pill. I am pretty sure Zovirax, like Abreva, is topical.

My son had a bad one years ago and the doctor gave him Zovirax. Cleared it right up. Its a pill, may come in a topical form. Its actually for Herpes. My dad takes Lysine on a daily basis for prevention.

 

[PatsGirl]

My doctor prescribed Valtrex and said to take two immediately upon feeling that tingle and then 1 every 12 hours for 72 hours. I follow up with Abreva. It really makes a huge difference. I break out from stress and too much sun and they can be terrible if I don't catch them in time (which is usually just before a first date with a great guy)