What's your go to for a cold sore!

[ChickenGotLegs]

I got that tingling feeling of an incoming cold sore on Friday night, fast forward to today and half my bottom lip is covered in them. I usually just use moisturiser on them until they heal up but I really need these gone by Monday, or at least looking not as noticeable. I look like I have some contagious disease!

I never buy anything specific for them but maybe I should? All ideas welcome please!

I used lysine lip balm from Holland and Barrett and found it very good.

Get rid of the thought that a lotion or potion will have them gone by Monday! Not gonna happen. Use the creams at tingle stage to reduce the length and severity

If you use a cream containing aciclovir then it stops it in its tracks. Horribly drying and it needs to be applied every hour as the first tingle is felt. Once the blisters are evident it needs to run it's course.

I find ultra violet light is my main trigger so I use factor 50 on my face and lips.

Best thing I’ve found is Herpatch. Like a gel that dries and then you can peel off and reapply. Probably too late for you this time, but if you apply as soon you get that tingle, it can stop it in it’s tracks.
You can also get a herpatch lip balm which can stop it developing.

Acyclovir or the cold sore patches but not sure either of those will do much by Monday sorry OP. I’ve found the patches stop them getting bigger and scabbing over too much so maybe try those overnight for the next 2 nights?

This silicea gel. First discovered it in Germany about 10 years ago and you couldn’t get it over here, thrilled to find it on Amazon! Monday might be a tall order but I think it’s your best shot from experience!

www.amazon.co.uk/Hubner-Silicea-Cold-Sore-Gel/dp/B005BXS0NA/ref=asc_df_B005BXS0NA/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309924639348&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3395416878823343039&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006876&hvtargid=pla-610626609498&psc=1

WiseWays Herbals: Salves for Natural Skin Care, Lemon Balm Cream 2 oz amzn.eu/d/cbnzd65

Sounds odd but does work, once I feel the tingling I dab on perfume or aftershave , very rarely comes up , but if it's already there after a night's sleep it does still help with drying it up ! My daughter suffers regularly & does get prescription tablets , they work but again you have to feel it coming up!
Nasty things !!! ...

Zovirax cream as soon as I feel the tingle.

Doesn't work for me or my daughter unfortunately, nor the press on patch things 😪

Zovirax is the one thing that I always have in reach within seconds of that first tingle. I keep it in my handbag which never leaves my side. It stops mine in its tracks.

Perfume or after shave on it as soon as you feel the tingle starting

Compeed patches. You can buy them in Boots, Savers etc.

Blistex.

I have a battery thing that kind of burns you

Nice with pizza or kfc

@Littleelffriend I have that it's amazing!

www.amazon.co.uk/Organic-Black-Seed-Oil-250ml/dp/B088TV4894/ref=sr_1_8?crid=2XBCO8Z8TGKLA&keywords=Organic+nigella+sativa+oil&qid=1662832567&refinements=p_72%3A184325031&rnid=184307031&s=drugstore&sprefix=organic+nigella+sativa+oil%2Cdrugstore%2C84&sr=1-8

With the added bonus that it completely stops future flare ups when applied to lips at night as prevention. Works well with existing flare up as well. Lasts ages if you keep it in the fridge. It was better than antiviral tablets or anything else I tried, and I tried a lot of things.

Herpatherm has changed my life. It's 30 quid but lasts for years and I've gone from 6 coldsores a year to one every 2 years. Zap it at the tingle and it doesn't appear.

Ice really helps. Wrap a piece up in a paper towel and hold it on the sore as often as you can. Takes away the tingling and swelling.

Patches ! They reduce them from 2-3 weeks to 2-4 days !

Compeed cold sore patches reduce the appearance and aid healing. You can also put make up over them if you wish.

I've just ordered the herpotherm for my husband there.

Thank you to a pp who suggested it.

Strong neat alcohol dabbed on regularly throughout the evening usually prevents or helps heal if I don't notice warning signs.

I like to use the little patches you put on your lip. They do own brands versions to
. Also great if you want to wear makeup makes it almost invisible