To hack out part of my face with a breadknife?

[Greensleeves]

FUCKING coldsores

I have one of those huge cluster coldsores, it came up scarily quickly and looks a bit like a angry red cauliflower

have tried earwax but it was too late

can't afford to buy zovirax until payday next friday, we are right up to the wire (have overspent on christmas )

Do you know any tricks for getting rid of them? Is there some herbal tincture I can boil up? What about dancing widdershins around a virgin's grave by moonlight, banging a saucepan?

No suggestion too loopy!

Does dabbing a bit of perfume on it work? Or is it a bit late for that now?

Perfume? Haven't heard that one but it's worth a try! I also have brandy, tea tree oil, hair peroxide cream and salt, all suggested by dh but I'm not convinced...

Perfume or some toothpaste may help to dry it out faster. Will sting like buggery though.

X-Posted. Drink the brandt then apply the perfume.

Can you get zovirax on prescription?

I though earwax must be a typo but googled and apparently not!

Sorry that's assuming you would get free prescriptions (I have 4 dcs so am so used to them getting pres as under 16 and forgot adults usually pay).

I do not know any alternative remedies I'm afraid but you have my sympathy coldsores are horrible.

alcohol of some sort (like vodka) can do the trick - apply hourly to start with.

Tea tree is good for most skin problems. Some of the other substances sound a bit worrying - they might clear up the cold sore but heaven knows what they'd do to your skin.

Soak it in salt water frequently through the day, also if you have any anti bac gel or wipes get some of that on too. All else fails, have fun with the brandy, some to you, some to your face

nail varnish remover on a ear bud will help dry it out as well

Horrible things, cold sores. I dab vinegar on mine if I've no Zovirax. Hope it shrinks soon.

You can get a cheaper version of zovirax called virosorb, failing that, try alcohol or a bin sack over your head

DH gets them horribly when he's run down. After trying everything going, he now puts a dab of neat aftershave on them. Stings like blue fuck but works :)

rub/hold ice over for as long and as often as you can,

Tea tree oil. Lavender too if you have it.

I think you can also crush an aspirin, make a paste and apply to take the sting out.

Pound shops sell an alternative to Zovirax. It contains exactly the same amount of acyclovir so is just as effective.

I have heard that your own pee works!

I'm nowhere near a chemist Op, or I would happily buy some and post it to you.
Prescriptions are free in Scotland, I'm not sure about that there England though.
So my advice about going to the Doctor may not be helpful.

Parfum.

off topic slightly but I'm wondering how on earth you harvest enough earwax for regular application

Ice it for as ling as you can bear to and then apply tea tree. Repeat. Poor you.

Vectivir is good, on prescription only; my GP always gives me some before holidays as the sun starts the sores off, so free provided your prescriptions are free. Also he gave me some tablets, Valtrex, which are very effective providing you take them at the first twinge, but they can give you bad stomach ache. He says it is commonly prescribed in Australia, but GPs are reluctant to dish it out here as it is "quite expensive". Worth asking so you have some ready for the next time.

If you are in Scotland you could get Zovirax on the minor ailments thing at the chemist.

Savlon (or non-branded antiseptic)

I get ENORMOUS cold sores and I've given up on zovirax and the ilk - savlon is brilliant, just keep lathering it on to keep it moisturised.