coldsore and wedding - solutions?

[vevyter]

Just need to vent really – and ask if you have any remedies for a coldsore...

I'm under a huge amount of stress at the moment (work, home, some major life stuff, severe lack of sleep etc) and am feeling so run down and just tired of everything. I started to get a coldsore this morning and realised I didn't have any of the antiviral medication I usually take if I start to get one (which usually stops it in its tracks). I've requested a repeat prescription from GP but it won't arrive until tomorrow. My lip now feels really swollen, very sore, and I'm incredibly irritable and just feel gross. To make matters worse DP and I are flying to a destination wedding in France this weekend and if the coldsore properly comes up it won't be gone by then and I will feel very self conscious. I've put Zovirax on it and one of those Compeed patches... any other advice? I just feel so exhausted and DP is downstairs watching tv while I'm upstairs still working (and will likely be working until 1 or 2am like I did last night which isn't going to help the coldsore situation...) I mean I don't know what else I want him to be doing as I don't want to be near anyone as I'm so irritable but he's annoying me anyway! Does anyone have any miracle remedies for a coldsore that will stop it developing?

I get them regularly and whack Compeed patches on immediately. Change them every 12 hours (buy several packs). Don't use a cream as well or they don't work. It should stop the sore fully developing and the patches are pretty discreet. You xan even put make up over them.

Acyclovir tablets are the only thing that stop it in it's tracks for me.

Compeed - I hate that they make the area soggy and sore. I would only use for the actual duration of the event (They are good for that)

When I was younger I got them really badly and they would cover the whole of my top lip and spread right up to my nose. Since I had a course of acyclovir, I get them more rarely (and like you, when I'm run down and have been eating crap).

The only other thing that I take that I think reduces their frequency and severity is regular zinc tablets along with keeping my vitamin D3 levels up - but that's longer term, won't do anything for this one

Poor you! Cold sores always come at the very worst times, don’t they?! The only thing I’ve found that works to reduce the time they take to heal is a device that zaps the sore with some kind of LED light. I got mine from Boots years ago (brand was Avent) but they are discontinued. You’d probably be able to buy something similar online. I also use the compeed patches in between zapping sessions which also helps. I hope it heals fast for you and you have fun at the wedding.

Lysine tablets from Holland and Barrett's or another health food shop.

I think liquorice cream is supposed to be very effective too

@NannyGythaOgg I usually have Acyclovir tablets in the bathroom cabinet for exactly this scenario – but we're moving house, I stupidly packed them, and I have no idea where they are so have had to request another prescription.

I used to get them more when I was younger too and after a particularly bad one (which, of course, came up while I was on a work trip and had to attend events every day😭)a GP prescribed Acyclovir and, like you, it works really well. I'm so annoyed with myself for packing it away somewhere (there are literally 100 boxes in our house at the moment...) when I know that I'm super stressed, haven't been sleeping, and that this is when they normally make an appearance!

@mambojambodothetango I'm keeping the Compeed patches on generally but bought the Zovirax so I could put some on while walking home from pharmacy 😂

@capitalcapitalcapital oh thanks! I haven't heard of the light zapping before – definitely going to look it up now!

I find the cream works best for me, and I reapply every time I remember.

I haven’t had any for years but suddenly I’ve started to get them at certain periods in my menstrual cycle. When I’ve been frantically researching remedies, and came across lysine supplements I bought some to start taking but didn’t, when I felt a cold sore coming I took a tablet, and everyday until it disappeared. It took a lot less time to heal and didn’t get as large as it normally would.

i think along with some self care such as early nights, lots of water and nutrition will make you feel generally better

Wrap an ice cube in a hanky or something similar and hold it on the coldsore, it will help with the swelling. If you do this and use Zovirax hopefully the worst will be over with by the weekend. I never got on well with the Compeed patches

A dentist put something on a cold sore once and it shrank almost instantly.

At least not your own wedding that's what I thought when I first read this! Rest rest rest

Lysiene - Amazon it or get it from Holland and Barrett - 3 a day for 3 days then one a day - works wonders on mine.

I get them really badly, also on the aclovir.

I also take lysine tablets which mean when I get them, they aren’t as bad. But if I have any fun at all then I get one. Soooooo annoying.

Ask the the doctor for Fusidic acid. It really helps them heal up as is anti infection. Tablets, plus cream plus patches means mine are usually ok.

Acilicvir tablets.

Last time I had a bad cold sore I discovered the heat pen, it really does work so quickly, cosy about £30. Now as soon as I feel a tingle, I put the heat pen on and it's painful but works. Amazon sell them. Also Lysine, I take this too.

L-lysine from Holland and Barrett. Take 2 and then one a day and take one every day to stop reoccurrence.

Take some ibuprofen to help with the swelling around the lip.

Vinegar or cheap after shave. Dry it up.

And careful in the sun. I had one that spread all down my chin on a Spanish holiday.

#coldsoreveteran

@JayAlfredPrufrock noooooo don't remind me of this! It's going to be SO hot where we're going for the wedding 😣And I know how much worse they get in the sun!

I haven’t tried this but there’s a new product called oldsore which apparently heals them much quicker than aciclovir. It’s expensive and I am tempted so thought I’d mention it - if you try it let us know!

I also have the light zapper (didn’t notice any marked difference in healing time) and heat pen (seemed to heal them quicker).

https://oldsore.com/products/oldsore?variant=43676515860798

I’m not sponsored by them promise! Could be all talk. But maybe worth a try?

@Unexpectedlysinglemum thankfully not my wedding!!!

@AtrociousCircumstance hmmm this looks tempting! I'm not convinced it will arrive before we fly, but I may end up ordering some for next time!

Sandwich bag is usually good as then it doesn’t drip everywhere.

I used to carry patches in my wallet, because you need to stick it on as soon as you start feeling tingling. Later it doesn't work.
None of the creams ever worked for me.