Best treatment for a cold sore??

[LadySybilDeChocolate]

Compeed patches are vile, they rip my skin off. Zovirax is expensive and doesn't really work. What else can I try? I have 2 of the bastards.

Zovirax contains acyclovir (can't spell it). I have the Boots equivalent handy, with cotton buds kept together in an old, previously unused hospital sample pot! This makes sure I don't get anything on my fingers as I'm petrified I'll pass them on to the DCs.
I do what is totally against all advice, cut the blister open and stick iodine on it. Yes, it stings like crazy for a few seconds but it seems to work. I swim a lot though and haven't had them for a while so wondering if the chlorine etc in the pool helps.

They are health related so you're more likely to get one if you're run down. I blame my 15 day AF for these. I'm not sure the huge one is one blister, it seems to be lots of little ones. I was tempted to put some neat aloe vera onto it but I've googled and it says it doesn't help. I've slapped some more cream onto it/them. I just wish they would go away, I feel crap enough as it is.

I also get them when run down as well as massive changes in weather/sunlight.

They are a real PITA. There should be a better way of treating them by now.

There is a brand new way to treat cold sores using light therapy. This will stop a cold sore from forming if caught early enough and it will reduce further outbreaks significantly. :)
coldsorecontrol.com

L-Lysine.

I used to use spirits of camphor, just a little bit on cotton wool dabbed on. Don't know if you can still get it - probably vodka would work as well.

I've had cold sores come and go over the years but when I'm stressed and really tired I find they are more apt to appear. I've tried all sorts of products and remedies but they didn't really work for me. My sister recommended I try a product called, Zyderma. It uses silver to help kill bacteria on the skin. I've been using it everyday as part of my cleansing regimen and I love it! Lately I've been crazy tired and sick. I could feel a sore coming on so I added extra Zyderma cream to the corners of my mouth. I never did get one! I dunno if it's a fluke but since I've been using the product I haven't gotten a cold sore. I dunno guys but this may be worth checking out. www.zyderma.com

I've had the best luck with lysine - its a natural amino acid and you can take supplements or get creams / gels that contain it. It fights the virus. There's a few different types on here that might be worth checking out
healacoldsore.com/bestsellers-uk

I suffer badly with coldsores at least 5-6 times a yr' i get them on my lips up my nose on my ears' no warning just appear' i took the tablets they worked great' but as i get them with no warning' could i just take 1 a day 200mg everyday for rest of my life' many thanks !

Boots cold sore machine if you can find one! I got mine in Dundee and it appears to work!

Have found this old thread because my bottom lip is covered in cold sores! I am stressed at the moment, so I'm sure this is the reason. Someone mentioned up thread about the acyclovir tablets. My sister gave me some but she's in Canada where they prescribe them. Not sure the GP here would? And do you take them every day?

I was in the same situation two weeks ago and wasn't able to get a doctor's appointment. I went online and ordered a prescription of tablets from an online high street chemist. They cost £20, you have to fill in an online form and then they get a doctor to check it and prescribe it to be picked up instore.

I find that a propolis based treatment works better than Cyclovir. For anyone else finding this thread late give Herstat a try, in clinical trials it works about 3 days faster than Cyclovir.