Getting cold sores all the time

[GFFord]

I've been getting cold sores on my lip loads recently, I feel a tingling and then it appears, usually contagious 2 weeks and come back a month or so later. Really annoying, it looks terrible and I can't kiss incase I spread it. Any tips on how to prevent them coming back so quick, and has anyone been prescribed anti viral pills for it? Not sure if I get them enough to be prescribed...

Definitely get a prescription. Get the acyclovir tablets. Take a whole course. Then, take more whenever you feel any tingle. Some GPs less keen than others to prescribe (cost?) but they really do work.

Hey yourself to Holland and Barret! I've stopped getting them since I discovered Lysine years ago. I used to get them the same frequency as you, and they were so painful and ugly. I take Lysine once a month now (I aim for once a week but always forget). Never get them anymore, it's a freaking miracle.

Gah wish you could edit posts. I meant to say get yourself to, not hey yourself 🙄

I second Lysine. Also lysine lip balm. I still get one a year in deepest winter but meh - that’s doable.

The acyclovir tablets are good once a cold sore takes hold but I no longer bother with the cream - it’s useless and expensive.

I once contacted the doc before I realised there genuinely was a solution out there and he point blank refused that there wasn't.

Was not that long ago. Wish I knew so I could name the prescription I wanted. Annoyed that he sent me away like that.

I read it as get

You can buy aciclovir with Superdrug’s online doctor.

Great to know thank you!

Cold sores tend to appear more often with a run down immune system. Get yourself checked out, make sure you eat/ sleep/ drink properly before relying on only treating the symptoms.

As an aside, I found that a combination of vodka applied to the coldsore, followed by honey, gets rid of it very swiftly.

1000mg lysine a day. Stay away from any supplements with argenine, the virus loves it. Change of temp (going on holiday for instance) and being run down triggers my husband. Lysine has been a game changer for him- take a double dose if you get one- it will b smaller and last a shorter time. When you get one use aciclover.

use an spf lip balm. UV light seems to cause them. Also if you drink, cut back. Too much alcohol can also bring them out

How old are you?

I have never had cold sores until 6 months ago. I am 55 and going through the menopause so I am wondering if it is hormonal.

Why do you take them once a month? Dh takes them daily. They work in as much as he hasn't had once since taking them!

I now use the HerpoTherm heat stick. Looks like a little lipstick, it’s about £35 to buy. If you use it just at first tingle it stops it developing. I still get a tiny bump but not a full cold sore. Using it is a bit ouchy but worth it. Also, spf lip balm on sunny days. And really good lip balm in winter so they don’t get dry.

I went through a phase of lots of cold sores which coincided with me starting to take vitD, as soon as I switched to vitB they stopped, I can’t link to any evidence but I did have a quick Google and it seems to be a common cause.

it may not be the same for you but thought I’d mention.

I have never had cold sores until 6 months ago. I am 55 and going through the menopause so I am wondering if it is hormonal

A large majority of people have the virus, but some don’t get outbreaks at all. My DH and I both get cold sores and he’s seen first time outbreaks of HSV2 (genital herpes) in very elderly patients.

Have you had a HIV test? The Terrence Higgins trust do free home screening tests that you send off for x

I used to get them frequently but haven't had one for years since using the Virulite on my outbreaks a few times. I'm not sure if you can still buy them but Boots had their own version of a cold sore light too. You hold it over the cold sore and press a button and it emits certain frequencies of light and it can speed up healing. I found the Compeed cold sore patches invaluable too.

Good luck

Another one for lysine here, it's a game changer. It works topically as well. You can buy lysine lip balms as well. But take the Supplements too.

Also look up high argenine foods, chocolate, nuts, berries and avoid those during a flare.

I try and eat more lysine rich foods then too, potatoes, meat and dairy.

The Drs I work with , give out courses of Aciclovir for this. Works a treat.

At first I took them daily, then attempted to reduce to weekly but keep forgetting so it ends up monthly but I'm still not getting cold sores anymore so it's enough.

Another one to say get yourself checked out make sure you’re not run down and SPF as mine are UV triggered and I wear daily SPF now and hardly ever get one unless I forget.

Lysine is great - I used to get cold sores almost every week and since taking lysine, get one every few months now. I use the aciclovir cream as soon as I feel the tell tale tingle and that takes care of it before it gets a chance to flourish!