Cold sore treatments

Feb 18, 2014

Jessie S.

Hi all,

I've been suffering a lot with cold sores this winter.

Although I've had problems with outbreaks in the past, I’ve never really found anything that works for me. Does anyone here have any tips or suggestions to help me get rid of these fast, as they’re really getting me down?

Thanks,
Jessie

Feb 18, 2014

Emilie W.

You could use blisstex, it's for cold sores..I used carmex everyday healing lip balm and love it so that will probably work for you too.

Feb 18, 2014

Jessie S.

I've not tried ice (I don't like the cold) ^^

Thanks for the advice :3

Jessie

Feb 18, 2014

Sabrina K.

Jessie you should go to the pharmacy, they have several creams to treat cold sores, at least they do in my country! I would not put ice on it, I think that will hurt and make it worse!

Feb 18, 2014

Alice A.

I struggle really bad with cold sores you can buy a light machine that helps but it's pricy, ice in the past has stopped cold sores in their tracks for me and stopped them even appearing. Plus taking lysine supplements seem to have minimised the amount I get :)

Feb 18, 2014

Nicole P.

I get them often and treat mine with Abreva.

Feb 18, 2014

Grace D.

I've suffered from cold sores since childhood and hated the unsightly outbreaks. I always looked for different remedies and every one never really shortened the amount of time the cold sore lasted. But I've found my perfect remedy. Believe it or not, using hand sanitizer has worked for me. As soon as I feel the tingling, I begin applying just a bit with a q-tip, followed by CamphoPhenique. I have found that will heal it in 2-3 days. Afterwards I use vaseline to promote the healing and restoration process.
L-lysine supplements help keep your amino acids balanced to prevent outbreaks as well.
Hopefully you find something that works for you!

Feb 18, 2014

Dawn B.

I've heard lysine can help but it's no miracle cure. I could never remember to take it daily so unsure if it actually helped. The absolute best treatment you can get is an antiviral medicine from the doctor such as Zovirax. if you take it right when you feel a cold sore coming it, most times, will get rid of it before it even starts. It's not expensive even without insurance and it works.

Feb 18, 2014

Jessie S.

Thanks for the tips and advice everyone.
I haven't tried ice still, lysine I'll look into, hand sanitizer is a new one to me!

Feb 18, 2014

Misty S.

My hubby uses the orajel cold sore med it kicked it out in two days.

Feb 18, 2014

Athirah B.

Hi jessie.. me and in my family we always use a propolis drop to cooled down any sore in the oral area. triy to put 1 or 2 drops in an ear buds and slightly apply it on the infected area.

Feb 19, 2014

Traci L.

use abreva

Feb 19, 2014

Dominique W.

Or go to the doctor to get you on a medicine that treats it internally. And perhaps asking for refills would be helpful

Feb 19, 2014

Jocelyn S.

If the cold sores are NOT on the corner of your mouth, then it's most likely herpes. The only thing to nix it fast is Valtrex or Valacyclovir. I'll admit it: I have herpes of the lip. Not sure how I got it as they appeared while I was in a monogamous relationship. Whatever. Stuck with them now so if I feel one coming I take a double dosage of Valtrex for a couple days and if I catch it in time, it won't even surface. And I make sure I keep my lips moisturized.

Feb 19, 2014

Kelsey F.

Actually, cold sores aren't just on the corners of lips, because I get them and I definitely don't have herpes. I just like to keep it really clean and moisturized, that usually helps a lot.

Feb 19, 2014

Emily W.

So much misinformation in this thread! First off: cold sores ARE herpes. Herpes Simplex Virus-I is what causes cold sores. They can appear anywhere on the face, but are most commonly on the lips, chin, or nose. The virus does not migrate from the initial source of infection (if you get it on your chin, it isn't going to randomly pop up on your forehead) UNLESS you self infect (usually happens with a mucous membrane, such as the eye-- always wash your hands). It is estimated that 97% of the American population are carrying HSV-I, though not everyone shows symptoms. That's likely how you got it, Jocelyn.

There is no cure, as the virus lives in the nerves under the skin. However, medications like Valtrex (generic: Valcyclovir) can prevent or reduce the severity of outbreaks. Applying topical medications such as Abreva can lessen the severity and alleviate symptoms (primarily itching), but do not usually lessen the duration of the outbreak and cannot prevent outbreaks from occurring.

There is little scientific evidence that L-Lysine supplements do anything for cold sores. The outbreaks are caused by a virus in the nerves, which amino acids such as lysine cannot reach to be effective. Blistex and Carmex are moisturizing lip balms, and will only help slightly in keeping the wound from getting too dry and cracking. I recommend a light, oil-free and scentless lotion applied gently to the scabs, rather than heavy balms that trap too much moisture as well as bacteria.

The outbreak is an open wound, so treat it as such. Once the initial blisters scab, keep it lightly moisturized and clean. Do not apply makeup to the outbreak, as this can introduce bacteria and cause a secondary skin infection.

Cold sores are EXTREMELY contagious, even when not in an outbreak. Viral shedding occurs randomly and shows no symptoms, which is why herpes spreads so fast and efficiently. Don't kiss anyone while you have an outbreak, never share makeup with others unless thoroughly sanitized (and even then it isn't ideal) and wash your hands often.

Cold sores are annoying and unsightly, but ultimately not dangerous (except on the eye, then it can cause vision loss). It is a different strain of the virus from genital herpes (though it can infect the genitals so avoid unprotected oral-genital contact) and it does not mean that you are a dirty person, or any of the other stigmas. If you get outbreaks frequently, talk to your doctor about starting a prescription like Valtrex, it really helps.

Feb 20, 2014

Kathryn L.

Oh dear. Thank You Emily W. for providing proper info to the comments above!

But yes. If you are getting cold sores regularly, I would just go the valtrex or zovirax route, rather than using all sorts of drugstore items and hoping for the best. These prescription products work and are available for a reason. Just use them when you feel that tingle coming on and they won't even surface.

Feb 24, 2014

Jessie S.

Hi all, thanks for your replies and tips.

I spent a bit of time over the weekend looking into some of the products mentioned, I did come across a product called Herstat - www.herstat.com.
It has the ingredient propolis in it (you mentioned propolis working well on cold sores Athirah B.)

I've ordered a tube of this to see how well it works, keeping hopeful :)