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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Aibu to hide away until this clears?

48 replies

LampShadeHeid · 21/10/2018 22:32

I’ve been having a rotten few weeks when I’ve felt like I’ve been coming down with something- rough throat every morning, feeling pretty congested.
It’s came to a head last week when the runny nose started, a dry tickly cough, headache, congestion. As what always happens whenever I get a cold, a cold sore appears not long after.

This time however, massive blisters have appeared on the tip of my nose, all around in a strange “bite mark” type pattern. My nose is now bright red and swollen With about 4 large blisters and about 3 more smaller ones clustered around. I’ve honestly cried about it, I know it’s silly, and I’m not at all a vain person, but it seriously looks so awful and I’m terribly self conscious about it.

Please tell me to get a grip and just get on with things! I’ve avoided going out at all this weekend because of it, and I actually have enough to do this week that I can’t stay hidden in until it’s clear. Has anyone been in the same boat and can offer any words of wisdom?

OP posts:

Skittlesandbeer · 21/10/2018 23:05

I’d cover it with teeny plasters and tell everyone I’d had some worrying moles removed (skin cancers). I’d have no qualms in lying about this. None at all.

Labradoodliedoodoo · 21/10/2018 23:08

Get acilivor tablets. Even now. Amazing stuff. You can buy it online or over the counter in a chemist. It’s cheaper online

Original poster

LampShadeHeid · 21/10/2018 23:09

I am going to definitely get some of the tablets, but will they help me for this outbreak? I think I’ll be at the start of the scabby stage tomorrow

OP posts:

cherrytree63 · 21/10/2018 23:12

I had a similar cluster of cold sores which didn't respond to the usual treatment.
Turned out to be impetigo needing anti biotics.
Might be worth seeing your GP if they don't clear up soon.

Labradoodliedoodoo · 21/10/2018 23:17

I’ve only had the tablets once two years ago and not had another outbreak since which is very very strange. The only difference is I’m now gluten free and my immune system is stronger

patientzero · 21/10/2018 23:18

Currently struggling with the Hitler tache style myself so you’ve got my sympathy (and I’m following your thread for ideas as got an important meeting in Tuesday and really need to look less like a scabby mess by then)

OrigamiZoo · 21/10/2018 23:18

I use tea tree oil, a spoon in the freezer pressed on the sore and manuka honey with a high umf. This works for me. I always get them on my nostrils. Horrible things, have

flamingnoravera · 22/10/2018 06:33

The tablets do help with current outbreaks. You take a mega dose and they work quickly. Keep em with you for any signs of tingle in the future.

Happygummibear · 22/10/2018 06:46

I didn't realise you can buy the tablets!

The tablets are usually prescribed for herpes in the genitals which is why they will work even after outbreak where as the creams are normally only effective when it's the tingling stage.

I always found the creams harbour the infection and cause it to get worse.

The logic behind the toothpaste is that it doesn't heal, but it creates a seal over the sore and helps to dry it out, similar to the compeed patches.

I got a cold sore straight after giving birth, I asked for my tablets while in hospital and they got them for me no arguments as I didn't want to pass it on. Sounds daft but if you do the toothpaste then you won't be able to touch it to pass it on.... I wouldn't recommend going outside with it on your face though!

Ghanagirl · 22/10/2018 06:51

@cycleasy
You’re obviously a miserable person!
OP definitely lysine🍰

AstralTraveller · 22/10/2018 07:03

Op you sound like you would benefit from Acyclovir tablets from the GP. I had it bad one winter and went to the Doc. He said it was the right thing to do as it was starting in my mouth. The tablets took the itch and redness away within a few hours and it cleared up in days.

bouncydog · 22/10/2018 07:12

Definitely recommend the lysine. Take the one a day strength from Holland and Barrett every day and this should help prevent them in the future. DH has been taking them for 4 years and hasn’t had a cold sore since. Prior to that he got them in the sun, in the winter, if he nicked his lip shaving etc. He swears by them.

user838383 · 22/10/2018 07:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

feelitinyourbones · 22/10/2018 07:17

OP I feel your pain. You are describing what I had for over a decade... until a year ago a blood test picked up a vitamin D deficiency. I took a high dose all last winter. I won't say I'm cured, but went from having an outbreak every fortnight or so to only 2 or 3 times in the last year (usually when run-down/time of the month). I didn't change anything else diet/lifestyle wise.

I also keep aciclovir tablets at home. If you take them as soon as you feel the tingle you can prevent them ever breaking though and blistering and the healing is much shorter if they do. I didn't know they were now OTC as mentioned by previous posters. When did that change?

When I had little babies I used the Compeed patches too as was paranoid about transmission. So far, fingers crossed, the DC have been fine.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 22/10/2018 07:40

Do talk to your pharmacist/GP about Oral Acyclovir - I used to work at an eye hospital (some people get eye sores) and oral treatment was always recommended for troublesome cases.

I've worked from home before because I had a spot the size of Argentina. Even a plaster couldn't cover it - just looked like I had a marble under the plaster. I feel your pain.

Skyecat · 22/10/2018 07:54

I'd suggest getting a supply of acciyclovir and taking a suppressive dose when you next begin to feel run down. Topical treatments mainly have a placebo affect on oral hsv infections (cold sores).

Taking them could speed up recovery of your current outbreak but only by a day or two. Your immune system is unfortunately busy fighting your cold and that's why your hsv outbreak is more widespread than normal.

Original poster

LampShadeHeid · 22/10/2018 08:17

Thank you all for you’re lovely replies and very helpful hints. I might give the lysine another try seeing as so many of you have had success with it.

OP posts:

AriadnePersephoneCloud · 22/10/2018 08:23

Much sympathy, I've had some horrendous cold sores before. Once my whole top lip swelled with them so much I couldn't eat... Honestly unless you have to go out, stay in and don't put make up on them at all. Just leave them to dry out... Awful having them when you have a baby too, I am so paranoid about passing the virus to the children. It's so horrible getting them I wouldn't wish it on anyone else. Hope they clear up soon

itsbritneybiatches · 22/10/2018 08:25

Until you get lysine, I often use hand sanitizer gel on mine and it sort of burns them off your face. Stings a bit.

I also suffer on and on my nose with them aswell as my mouth.

Just dab the hand gel on all day and it should improve dramatically in a few hours.

Original poster

LampShadeHeid · 22/10/2018 10:42

Got to the pharmacy and they wouldn’t give me acyclovir over the counter, just tried to fob me off with cream

OP posts:

ElizavetaBathory · 22/10/2018 10:46

The fact that you have the cold sores on/in your nose this time should mean that the GP will prescribe the tablets - they are unlikely to prescribe them if just on the lip/chin, so while it is a pain, it is worth trying to get to the GP during this outbreak in order to get the prescription sorted before the next time.

Original poster

LampShadeHeid · 22/10/2018 10:51

I’ll maybe try to give them a phone then. It’ll be very unlikely that I’ll get an appointment though, and it seems silly taking up the gps time for a cold sore and when appointments are in such short supply at my practice.

OP posts:

flamingnoravera · 22/10/2018 16:41

I am sorry, I thought I saw them in boots the other day behind the counter and priced up for OTC. I would recommend getting a drs appointment and asking for them on repeat prescription, I have had mine for over 10 years and everytime they have tried to take me off I have reported an outbreak that prevents me from working and a new prescription is put in place.
YOu can buy them online via an online prescription from superdrug onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/cold-sores.html

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