Not another cold sore! Any tips?

[poppyseedbagel]

I go through phases of having really bad cold sore breakouts (iikk, i know!)
The worst ones I get are above my upper lip, right under the nostrils (think hitler tash when scab is fully formed!)

I have tried all of the creams- zovirax worked great for a while before it ended up just as useless as the others. Tea tree oil, teabags, nail varnish remover, patches, anti-bac hand gel, salt, an infrared zapper thing (think that may have been a scam?)

Does anything actually work? I've got another blister erupting on my bottom lip today :(

[gallicgirl]

I use Boots cold sore lotion. It's a clear liquid in a little bottle and you paint it on. Smarts a bit but dries the sore out really well.

[FlappertyFlippers]

Try taking iron and vitamin c supplements. I used to be plagued with the nasty buggers, but this seems to have helped.

[poppyseedbagel]

OOO good tips :) I haven't seen the boots lotion! But that sounds like it could be worth a try.

I forgot to say that I had tried all the supplements and vitamins. I've also recently started a new healthy eating plan- 12 weeks- and stupidly thought this could maybe help keep the cold sores at bay as I am much healthier generally and forever eating fruits and veggies. But no.

:) Thanks for the comments!

[Framboisier]

I suffer too - just got rid of one on top lip (well, still have a red patch) and now have one on bottom lip

Friend at work gave me some excellent advice: "stop being stressed ". Oh, ok then ... :-/

Lysine is supposed to work

No creams ever really do what they say ime, I just ride them out and try to keep lips moisturised

[poppyseedbagel]

lysine didn't work for me :( and was blooming expensive too!

[DisparateHouseMice]

I recently tried sudocreme.
A thick layer applied frequently.
Seemed to do a better job than zovirax .
Worth a try.

[KatoPotato]

I think Zovirax/aciclovir creams make mine swell right up. Compeed patches with red light over can get mine away in under a week. Never buy superdrugs patches they are bloody dreadful.

[poppyseedbagel]

Sudocrem has been another tried and failed product :( Which is such a shame because its so good at getting away nasty pimples!

Can I be the first to say I'd love to have millions to pour into a cure for the little blighters!

[gorovers]

This has really helped me: www.boots.com/en/Boots-Avert-Electronic-Cold-Sore-Machine_1129542/

[2stixoftwix]

My daughter suffered from these all last year they were coming up every 6 weeks. She went from 3 outbreaks a year to about 9
We tried everything. In the end we went to the Dr who gave us a month suppressive treatment. Which she took end of October. So far she hasn't had a full blown sore since (just a tiny pimple that went overnight). However we started using vit d3 daily (3000mg), so I don't know if it was the aciclovar or the d3 that has helped, but try it. I don't suffer but I sympathise with anyone who does

[VelmaD]

try l-lysine tablets, 1000mg from h&b for £7.95. one a day indefinitely, they arent a short term thing, but do seem to work. neat tea tree oil too.

[MeggleVache]

There's only one thing that worked for me. Last year I was getting them every two weeks!!!!!
Boots do a machine in boots. If you get a cold or feel run down, if you get that tingle you place the handheld thingie against your mouth for 2 minutes a few times a day and it zaps it. I was so impressed I have one in my handbag and one on my bedside table. The one time I slipped the cold sore was tiny like a zit not like the huge bacon frazzle I'd normally have!

[Trumpton]

And if you feel the dreaded tingle then ice it . Buy a lolly if necessary but ice the virus into submission. That and the cold sore light do it for me.