to think NOTHING gets rid of a bastard coldsore once it's decided to be a bastard?

[turkeyontheplate]

Tried everything over the years - Blisteze, earwax, zovirax, toothpaste, baking soda, peroxide...once the blisters appear, nothing seems to make a blind bit of difference.

I have a particularly hideous fat angry cauliflower on my upper lip right now. Does anyone have any magic remedies I haven't tried yet, before it turns into a disgusting slimy bran flake?

Ice also helps. Hold ice cube to lip for 5 mins 3/4 times. It halts the growth of the blister and dries it out.

Old age has worked for me. I got one on sunday, put a bit of zovirax on it. There no sign of it now.

When I was younger ( and more concerned about how I looked) the fuckers.would hang around for ten days or more. Now I'm old and don't give a shiny shit what I look like, three days and they are gone.

Not much help to you, op, but true

Lipsyl cold sore gel works for me - stops them getting all swollen and the anaesthetic takes the pain away !

Sorry if these have already been mentioned as I haven't read the whole thread but I've found the things that help me are dabbing a big blob of coldsore cream on, not rubbing it in, taking antihistamines seem to help with the swelling and sleeping propped up, uncomfortable but helps the blister to drain apparently.

The aciclovir tablets on prescription are amazing. Gets rid of an outbreak almost immediately. I've suffered my whole life and they're a complete revelation. I've been getting a private prescription from Superdrug as getting a GP appt can be a hassle and it's been worth every penny.

Earwax???

The only thing that has ever worked for me is the bonjela cold sore cream. I used to suffer for weeks when I got a coldsore. Now they are usually gone completely within a few days, I have tubes of the stuff everywhere!

Bonjela at first tingle and throughout.
I read that on here about two years ago and it's never failed me since.

Should have said it's just the normal bonjela I use, not the one for coldsores. I never even knew they did one actually!

L-lysine tablets daily, but it’s prevention rather than cure. I have far fewer cold sores since I started taking them.

Twatting things, i have mow in bran flake stage :-(

Earwax. LOL.

They are caused by a virus and pretty much won't die down until the cycle is complete - it can be sped along, but there is precisely nothing that can be done to "heal" them once there! My last one took ten bloody days.

VeniceQueen2004 glad it's not just me!

Google ‘Virulite’. I got one a few years ago, and have used it at the tingle stage, and later, and it definitely shortens their life!
That said, they seem to be about £100, whereas I got mine for £20 a few years ago, so may be something to keep an eye on.

Liquorice balm has been great for me, I very rarely get them since using this.

I feel your pain OP, I get some horrible ones. I hate it. Some ideas I’ve been told but haven’t yet tried: Acetone, which you dab on. It sounds hideous but it works for my sister. My mother paints clear nail varnish on when she feels one coming and she swears by it.

I don’t much like the idea of putting either of those things near my mouth but if anyone wants to try it let me know how it goes.

Aciclovir on prescription is the only thing that works. I took it for a cold sore a few years ago and I haven't had one since! If you have them a lot, the GP may prescribe a course for you.

I take lysine tablets every day and have had 2 in the last 12 months.

Once it starts I use a light I got from boots years ago. If I catch it quick enough it disappears otherwise it just speeds it up. Failing that a sauna dries them out sharpish.

Another one here who recommends going to your GP and asking about Acyclovir (sp??)
If you already have one, it dries it out in half the time, or if you feel one coming you start taking them and i'd say 3/4 times it stops it in iys tracks completely or you only get a bit of a bump then it goes away.
Honestly, its brilliant stuff.
Also means you arent putting weird concoctions on your lips and risking aggravating the damage.

L-lysine works well, excellent if I take if prophylactically but I normal just take it at the tingle and whilst I know it's there noone else notices

The other thing that worked was a pen that you held on and it got hot, thermo..something was really good

Acyclovir is.magic but my GP said you shouldn't take it daily indefinitely and took me off it. The Boots cold sore machine, small hand-held cylinder, is really worth the money. You apply the light as soon as you feel one coming, as often as possible. Definitely stops them erupting and seems to shorten the whole damned cycle. No side effects or further expense once bought.

Our GP, who luckily is a friend, prescribed Acyclovir tablets. He said they are common in Australia, where he has worked, but that GPs here are reluctant to offer them as they are “expensive”.

If you are a frequent sufferer it is worth badgering until you get some.

As far as im aware treatment only really works if done before it blisters. Chances of that would be very low as you wouldn't be aware. Just have to ride the storm now

Right, I'm going to get the Boots machine thingy, and make an appointment to ask for some acyclovir!

The disgusting thing has gone full cockroach now, I feel like sticking a bag over my head