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Style & Beauty

Cold sores - what stops them in there tracks?

28 replies

Homepride1 · 24/04/2015 07:29

Help woke this morning and think I'm getting a cold sore!

I have a wedding to go to next Friday and really don't want a huge scan on my face

Is there anything I can do to stop/heal it fast?

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Ihatemytoes · 24/04/2015 07:34

Applying ice really helps.

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TheEmpressofBlandings · 24/04/2015 07:41

I suffer from appalling cold sores and i use everything together! I have a light thingie, got mine from Boots. You shine it on every few hours but I don't know how effective is once the cold sore has started to take hold.
I also use the compeed cold sore patches. As well as speeding up healing, they make it look less gross. They are expensive but worth it IMO.

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PennyJennyPie · 24/04/2015 07:42

Zovirax works for me.

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Bluebiscuits · 24/04/2015 07:43

I recommend the patches too. It stops the cold sore getting all scabby and they heal quicker too. A week is enough time for it to come and go.

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Dumpylump · 24/04/2015 07:43

If it's just at the tingly stage, maybe a little red looking, then Zovirax (or anything containing it's active ingredient) works for me. I just apply it every few hours for a day or two and it usually doesn't come to anything then. Once it's started properly though, I've found nothing to stop it! Sad

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dairyfarmerswife · 24/04/2015 07:43

Ice is good to reduce swelling. Compeed cold sore plasters at good at all stages as not only do they hide the sore and speed up healing, but I find they stop it getting too big. I also take ibuprofen for its anti inflammatory properties. It shouldn't be too noticeable in a week's time.

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Dumpylump · 24/04/2015 07:44

That's why there is a tube in my car, bedside drawer, make up bag.......

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Homepride1 · 24/04/2015 07:48

I have woken this morning and just know ones coming, feels like a tiny spot on edge of lip, i have had some huge ones in the past that seem to go on for weeks!

Thanks for the tips I will stop at the chemist and pick something up ideally would like to be able to stop it even developing further

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Kundry · 24/04/2015 07:53

Zovirax can halt it if it's just at the tingle stage.

If it's past a tingle, you just have to see it through to the end.

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chocnomorechoc · 24/04/2015 08:12
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LadyStark · 24/04/2015 08:17

Acyclovir tablets on prescription - speak to your GP, mine is happy for me to keep a stash of them. In most of Europe you can buy them over the counter, not sure why we can't.

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Homepride1 · 24/04/2015 08:22

Well hoping if I get some Zovirax that stops it, it's only just started, wasn't there last night just felt it this morning when I woke

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judydoes · 24/04/2015 08:25

Start taking L-Lysine. I never get them now, I started taking a L-Lysine capsule every day and now just ever 3 or 4 days and still it works.

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allowme · 24/04/2015 08:26

Lysene supplements can help prevent them and also zovirax.

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BumbleNova · 24/04/2015 09:23

there are two things you need. one the boots cold sore machine. its expensive but it really works, best £35 I have ever spent. and the second is this www.boots.com/en/Herpatch-Cold-Sore-Serum-5ml_1536285/

its the best cover up I have found. it goes on cloudy and dries to clear and totally seals the cold sore. its much much better than the plasters.

you have my sympathy. I hate the b*stard things.

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lucycant · 24/04/2015 09:26

Coffee. Actually works better than zovirax.

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Lovethebubbles · 24/04/2015 09:29

Definitely Lysine supplements. Take up to 3 a day when you have one and the healing process is so much quicker. Also take them once a day to prevent them coming at all. You can also get lysine ointment/balm in holland and Barratt which I think helps too.

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Rosieliveson · 24/04/2015 09:35

I use tea tree oil and the patches. I find the patches stop me licking/touching it in the day I have to check it's still there and the tea tree helps to dry it up in between patches.

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 24/04/2015 09:43

I had one a couple of weeks ago (but I had shingles in March so I think my immunity is low at the moment. Used to get loads in exams, three in a fortnight during my finals)

I used to put a strong perfume or aftershave on mine ( tastes vile though) . I had nothing for this new one.
Horrible things

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Lonelynessie · 24/04/2015 12:12

Lysine suppliments and LipZor light (via Amazon). I used to get them really bad and now when i use this it doesn't even come out at all, no swelling, nothing.

The first time I used it I had a really bad cold sore, this literally killed it over night.

I now carry it in my handbag so I'm never without it.

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mandy214 · 24/04/2015 12:20

I rarely don't have a coldsore - got them weekly. Have never heard of the Lysine supplements. Are they natural? Do they have any other side effects etc? I find that now I am post 40 absolutely anything I eat / drink / take has an effect somehow on my skin or appearance. I use Zovirax which as said above, is good if I catch it early but otherwise, you have to go through that scabby stage. Would love to avoid that if I could!

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slug · 24/04/2015 13:04

Dab vodka on it.

This advice came from a consultant virologist DH worked with

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HappenstanceMarmite · 24/04/2015 13:09

Totally support taking Lysine during a flare-up. Didn't realise there was a prophylactic benefit of taken daily too.

Only thing I hate about Lysine is the size and texture of the tabs. They are huge and dry! Anyone know of a more palatable tablet vs the lumps of blackboard chalk I have only ever found? Shock

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BohemianRaptor · 24/04/2015 13:17

Tea tree oil dabbed on neat always stops mine developing, it has very good anti viral properties.

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Sticklebricks · 27/04/2015 06:55

TCP. I've had them all my life and it's better than anything else. Dries them up and takes away the swelling.

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