to cry about my lips?

[Alchemist]

Am 45 and have had coldsores for as long as I can remember.

Over the past few days my upper kip has erupted and I now have bee-stung upper lip complete with open weeping sores. My bottom lip is tingling now :(.

Zovirax etc hasn't helped. Feel ill and, without trying, am looking sulky. Tomorrow my lower lip will be like my top one.

Any advice please?

Yep, get to the doctor. Sometimes, when they're past the help of Zovirax, what you actually need is antibiotic and steroid ointment. And before anybody freaks out, I know antibiotics don't touch the viral infection, but it can be hard to tell where the virus ends and the bacterial infection begins. Get it checked out by a pro.

Also, I find the patches MUCH better than the creams, because they stop you poking at the blisters with your grubby fingers, or your tongue.

Docs, for a course of anti-vitals if you are regularly afflicted. I got toothache last time had them and went to the dentist who said it was nerve pain related to the cold sores (I was getting them regularly at that point) he suggested I went to docs as above, if they carried on, but the last horrible one seems to have seen them off for a bit. They are the pits soi feel for you.

Anti- virals - not vitals!

Zovirax hasn't worked for me for years, I use Fenistil now and use the patches to take the pain away. There is a zapper from Boots if you're getting them regularly that is supposed to be brilliant.
Hope this helps, cold sores are horrible and make you feel miserable.

Definitely go to the doctor.

I had constant sores and over the counter creams did nothing. I got some cream from the doctor and it's been fab. I start applying it as soon as I get that tingling feeling and it's soon nipped in the bud. I've just had a bad outbreak and although I still looked a little sore (forgot to apply it when i was at work) , it was nothing compared to how it would have been without it.

I was going to suggest the Boots zapper too. It gets rave reviews.

Thanks, I will book GP appointment on Tuesday.

I use so much 8 hour cream normally as have dry skin/lips but this is the worst I've ever been. I think the worst of this bout will be just about to pop/just popped when I see GP, should I still go? Meaning what you mentioned, Sandthorn?

I would still go OP but take some photos of your cold sores at their worst, just in case they look better by the time you get an appointment.

Oxytetracyclane from the doctor really helped me when I was getting them repeatedly as a teenager. My husband gets aciclovir (Zovirax) in tablet form from the doctor which really help.
I find bio propolis cream from health food shops much more effective than Zovirax.
B vitamins and/or a multivitamin can be useful too.

Sending you my sympathy op. They are hugely detrimental to self esteem but seem much worse to the person suffering than to others.

Hope you find something to help.

DH swears by Boots own brand cold sore cream. He says Zovirax doesn't work for him. No idea if it Boots would work for you but it might be worth a try. Luckily for me I seem to be immune. I have sympathy for you though. It must be horrible.

Also go to the GP like people have said. DH never goes to the doctor

Thank you all. Am now sort of holding a used camomile teabag between my lips. Our pup is lying under me to catch the drips [would smile but can't as lips would crack/bleed]

Ow.

I've often wondered, can cold sore sufferers not be prescribed acyclovir so that you can start taking it as soon as the prodromal symptoms start? I've had great results with acyclovir stopping the obvious onset of a herpes attack in its tracks (grim experience in my 20s, this is the legacy...).

Totally understand why it upsets you so much.

Definitely ask your gp for the tablets - they are brilliant. Still need to take them 5 times a day but so much easier than carrying messy cream around.

These tablets? DD was prescribed something after her whole mouth erupted. Her poor mouth was/looked so painful.

Sorry Acyclovir

Cold sores are grim arent they, i never had them before having DD but i dont know if i had the virus before without knowing it, and if pregnancy triggered it to become active. I dont know if thats even possible...

Anyway, i read that the amino acid L-Lysine can really help prevent outbreaks, or minimise them at least.

www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=117&prodid=29&cid=172

www.amazon.co.uk/Quantum-Health-Super-Lysine-Coldstick/dp/B000STG0Q6/ref=sr_1_1/280-5916867-3975669?ie=UTF8&qid=1397947301&sr=8-1&keywords=lysine+lip+balm

Tomorrow crimson I will buy simw.=

some

just ow.

I agree the patches are better , I also sudocrem to help them heel faster

I second I-Lysine. I get my from Holland and Barrett.

I also take Ibroprufen if the lip itself is swollen.

Was about to suggest the tablets from holland and Barrett and I've been beaten to it. They're amazing I've tried everything and inky those tablets work. If you take one every day you'll never get a tiger one again!

I feel your pain - I have suffered in the past with non stop horrid cold sores. I have tried every remedy going, zappers,tea bags, liquorice, herbal the lot. Mine only started to subside when I took a course of anti viral tablets and I always have some on hand in case I need them.

If you want to try a cream other than acyclovir ( Zovirax) can I recommend Fenestil ( active ingredient pencyclovir) amazing stuff - I had one brewing a few weeks ago, plastered my lip in it and it disappeared . It's hard to find in the shops- I buy it online- might be worth a try. Hope you feel better soon.

I get my Fenistil from our chemist, she says it's got a different ingredient from Zovirax, please try it, I've had fantastic results :)
I've spelled it wrong I think.

acyclovir tablets rock. I ask my doc for these to keep for each break out.