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Original poster

Would you judge someone negatively for having a giant cold sore?

64 replies

Intensiv14 · 25/07/2023 12:27

I really suffer with these, and got prescription acliclovir yesterday but the thing is still developing and is about 2 cm long travelling down my chin.

I need to go in the office tomorrow and genuinely dreading seeing people face to face with this awful thing. Can’t really wfh tomorrow.

Would you be disgusted at someone with an enormous cold sore or should I just front it out?

OP posts:
283nouveauxnoms · 25/07/2023 15:15

@boobearandme i was going to say what the previous poster said. Sunlight is a known trigger.

i lived in France for a while and kept getting them and in French they are known as boutons de soleil which translates as sun spots. For me sun is the main trigger (apart from exhaustion and being run down) I use lip sunblock at any sign of sunlight even in the UK and it has massively reduced them.

OP. Cold sores are life for some of us, I wouldn’t judge as long as you’re not constantly touching it. Bit late now maybe but cold sore patches are a godsend to stop them crusting.

ifonly4 · 25/07/2023 15:18

I'd have sympathy for you.

LetMeGoogleThat · 25/07/2023 15:22

I get them too, but I think the problem is that it feels so much worse than it actually looks. Just go for it and don't stress 💐

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General health
boobearandme · 25/07/2023 15:27

@B72 @balatonbumm
thanks both, I have aciclovir from GP. Have a factor 50+ lip screen and also take lysine and multi vits. Nothing works, the little blighter is always there ready to strike!

if anyone is there with any other suggestions, please help!

MyCatPlaysPiano · 25/07/2023 15:27

No, no judgement. I sometimes get coldsores so would only feel sympathy for you.

A pp suggested a mask, would that be an option? As you’re immunosuppressed, you could just say that’s why. Not that you should have to but just if it would help.

It’ll heal soon. 💐

Mariposista · 25/07/2023 15:32

I'd be sympathetic. It's hardly a sign of being dirty, and it's incredibly painful.
A lady at work had shingles (was also called herpes) and was covered all down one side and felt horrendous. Nothing but sympathy - it looked awful.

boobearandme · 25/07/2023 15:33

@283nouveauxnoms thanks. I use factor 50 on my face everyday back in the UK but never actually thought to do this on my lips! I will do that from now on.

I would love to move away from the uk in the near future but the cold sores have always been bugging me about it.

boboshmobo · 25/07/2023 15:40

Get the stickers ! When I get the tingle I put one on and it stops it in its tracks

Of left to their own devices they are ginormous .. I find them very embarrassing too but the cold sore patches are amazing!

thatsnotmylifeitstoocrazy · 25/07/2023 15:41

I’d feel bad for you. Wear a mask?

KinooOrKinog · 25/07/2023 15:42

Definitely wouldn't judge you! I'd feel bad for you. As far as work goes, why don't you phone in sick? That's what I would do..

LeafyGreenSummer · 25/07/2023 15:43

I suffer from them and hate it. They’re not pretty, no, and when you’ve got one it feels the size of a flashing red golf ball! I would feel sympathy to anyone with them.

I do use concealer when I have them as my job is public facing, which makes it even worse.

And yes, bright sunlight sets them off, so I use factor 50 on my face and lips when I’m out. Also if I’m going down with a cold or cough, out they come.

What really really sports up the healing - and stops them in their tracks if you zap them early enough - is a ViruLite cold sore zapping machine. It uses a specific light frequency that interrupts the virus replication. It’s not cheap, but it has been worth every penny.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 25/07/2023 15:45

I would never judge but I might accidentally keep looking at it

Whataretheodds · 25/07/2023 15:45

No, why would I judge? You can't do anything about it.

I might notice it and do a double-take (sorry) but that would be on me not on you.

So long as you don't sit picking it or chewing a pen someone else needs to use then no issues.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 25/07/2023 15:46

Helenahandkart · 25/07/2023 13:17

I take Acyclovir every day now and it has almost completely stopped me from getting them so long as I take it regularly and don’t miss doses, but I used to get huge coldsores every couple of weeks which made me feel like I had the flu almost all the time.
I don’t think that people are particularly judgemental about coldsores, so don’t worry about what they’re thinking. Almost everyone is carrying the virus anyway.
This is really really important though - STAY AWAY FROM YOUNG BABIES. My friend’s newborn contracted the herpes virus from a relative with a cold sore and died when they were just a few days old. Never kiss a baby, particularly when you have an active cold sore.

This is terrifying that poor baby and your poor friend 💕💕💕💕

ohsuzannah · 25/07/2023 16:59

My dd buys the compeed plasters, they do hide it to an extent, but you might need several for a big one 😖

Original poster
Intensiv14 · 26/07/2023 07:30

thank you for all your comments. Despite taking acliclovir all yesterday and Monday evening the cold sore still developed yesterday and it’s about 1.5 inches reaching Down my chin. It’s so sore and I feel fluey. So I’m back to using Zovirax as well.
If it wasn’t really important I’d wfh today, but it’s not possible. This is too big for any compeed patches sadly, if a compeed sticks to the cold sore it’s hell if it pulls it off and the infection spreads 😢

I’ve seen something called herpatch which is more like a sticky gel. Im going to try to buy that on my way to work. I considered wearing a mask but DH says it’s not that bad and I’d be drawing attention to it more.

I only found out recently that cold sores can be fatal to young babies, and that’s terrifying. Thankfully I don’t seem to have passed this virus in to any of my kids over the years.

OP posts:
Dragonsandcats · 26/07/2023 07:31

I wouldn’t judge but would feel sympathetic. I get them and they’re horrible. Think a lot of people get them.

BCBird · 26/07/2023 07:33

Judge? No. Woukd not want to.kiss someone,would think ooh that looks sore,but that's it.

navithefairy · 26/07/2023 07:37

I think most people will know it's not because you aren't washing your face OP so wouldn't 'judge', but they will probably notice and feel some sympathy for you.

navithefairy · 26/07/2023 07:38

I only found out recently that cold sores can be fatal to young babies, and that’s terrifying.

Yeah, don't kiss any babies! But really there's not much else to worry about with it. I hope it goes away soon.

ivycastle · 26/07/2023 07:40

I considered wearing a mask but DH says it’s not that bad and I’d be drawing attention to it more.

Could be a good idea! I fell over a couple of months ago and smashed my lip, it looked awful. Face masks were a great excuse to cover it up! Some people are still wearing them especially on public transport etc.

Roselilly36 · 26/07/2023 07:42

No, I would think you poor thing. I get them occasionally and they are so painful. I hope it clears up soon OP.

SparkyBlue · 26/07/2023 07:51

I away on holidays and I currently have one. The sun always does this to me. It's only on MN that I see a really weird attitude to cold sores.

FussyPud · 26/07/2023 09:02

I’d be sympathetic. When I get one it usually goes from nostril to lip, like some grotty crusty snot trail. So much pain. Hope it eases up soon for you.

Noicant · 26/07/2023 09:06

No, I’d feel sorry for you.