A question about cold sores ...

[caddywally]

I've been prone to cold sores since I was about 6. They've decreased in frequency and severity as I've got older (there's a primary school photo of me somewhere with six of them at once!) but I got a pretty big one in June. It took a few weeks to clear up, but eventually it did.

It's now almost February and the scar still flares up from time to time. I have never had this before - has anyone else?! The scar has been mostly invisible for months, but every now and then it gets red and itchy and becomes very visible again, then disappears to nothing after a couple of days. Is it the cold sore trying to come back?

Are you treating as soon as it itches? The virus resides up a nerve ending, so never goes away but this sounds odd. Do you use sunbeds? They exacerbate coldsores, as does sunlight, obviously.

Maelstrop I haven't been treating it because it hasn't been that tingly sort of feeling that I get when a cold sore is brewing. It's more like a dry skin sort of itchiness. No sunbeds, but this cold sore (first in a few years) did appear after I'd been on holiday somewhere very sunny so I think you're right about that.

Where on your lip is it?
If it's in the corner, it could be a fungal infection. I'd nip to the chemist who could check and give you an appropriate anti fungal.

toothgenie It's above my top lip, in the moustache area. It doesn't look like a fungal infection, but I could be wrong!

I've never seen it there only in the creases. Might be worth getting it checked out though, do you visit the dentist regularly? Dentists should routinely check your lips for any problems. Mention it to them or ask a chemist.

I'd keep out of the sun, wear sunscreen always and take L-Lysine daily. I do this and don't get any flare ups.

You have just told my own "coldsore story" mine have changed over time and now I really only get them in the same place when I'm run down (same area as you).

I used to get them all over the bottom half of my face and up my nose!! I've also always had small multiple blisters rather than one big one but that's changed too now.

I never thought to look into it further. I just use aciclovir as soon as I notice and probably just for a day or 2 until it crusts over. I have s permanent darkened scar on my "moustache" which looks like I need to wax so I just use a concealer every day.

One thing I have noticed is that as I've been in the same job for about 9 years now (teacher) I get much fewer, I think because I get less viruses (this happens when you start a new school quite often...new viruses for your body to try....teacher perks!)

Generally if I eat well and don't let things get in top of me it keeps the cold sores at bay. Sometimes they're a first sign of stress for me!

Nothing beats the 50p sized cluster I had when I split up with my fiancé in my 20s. Right in the centre of 1 cheek! Classy!

Sorry not a helpful post but you are not alone in you coldsore evolution!

I second the L-Lysine suggestion....my husband gets cold sores and starts taking high dosages a couple times a day the minute he feels the tingle of a flare up starting. It significantly reduces the size of the sore and the length of the flare up.

toothgenie I went to the dentist a few months ago and nothing was said about it. It was probably behaving that day! It can go weeks looking normal then suddenly become red and inflamed (but not a proper blistery coldsore).

motortroll I'm glad you've also (mostly) grown out of them. Sunshine or wind seems to do it for me. I only wish they came on my actual lips rather than on the skin, though! So much easier to hide and less scarring.

Thanks for all the L-Lysine suggestions. I've seen it in Holland and Barrett but never knew whether it actually worked or not. Time to pick some up, I think!