Treatment for cold sores - when do you stop?

[Mercedes]

I had a shower on Hogmanay in preparation for going out and when I came out the shower this horrible cold sore had appeared. I've been putting zirovax on since Tues and there's now this big scab at the bottom of my lip. Do I now stop the zirovax? Do I rub the scab off and put cream on? or do I put the cream on the scab to make it dry out even more?

I never know what top do at this stage and the last time I had a cold sore although I got rid of the scab I had this red mark on my face for weeks.

I need advice from other suffers.

once you got a scab...thats it..no more treatment as you gotta let it dry and fall off

I take it rubbing it to fall off is a no no?

no as youre not letting it to heal as youre keeping wetting it

and dont pick it too