Please help - my son is in tears - cold sores

[IsItaCowIsItaPlane]

Hello all,

My 22 year old son got burnt at a year old on his face. Ever since then he has got cold sores where his burns were. Across his mouth, nose and eyelid.

They have been pretty under control for about a year, but he's been quite unwell recently with a high temperature and yesterday he came out in 27 cold sores. They are across his lips, inside the lips, his nose and all round his eye.

He has not been able to eat all yesterday and today he was meant to go out for dinner but didn't get up. I went in his room and found him sobbing. He's in pain, feels disgusting and it's breaking my heart.

We got him acyclovir from an online doctor yesterday and are still waiting for 111 to call us back (called over 30 hours ago). I went to the chemist this morning and spent £40 on cold sore patches. He already has a black light which doesn't seem to work and is on Lysine. He is taking pain relief.

Does anyone have any advice? It's breaking my heart.

What worked previously when not under control?

The l-lysine tablets help me, and I also use LipQ Liquorice Balm from skinshop.co.uk
I also take Vitamin D supplements.

I used to get really bad outbreaks when stressed/hormonal/in the sun, and I haven’t had a bad outbreak for a couple of years now (touch wood). If I do get the odd coldsore now it’s usually pretty small and seems to heal quicker. I use the LipQ balm several times every day.

I really feel for your son. I used to hide away when I got outbreaks, feeling so low and disgusting.

Tumeric powder mixed with olive oil, heated in the microwave until it is warm… apply with cotton bud over them will give INSTANT pain relief.
in general to stop them coming back often - even in summer vitamin d,k2 and vitamin c supplements to keep immune system strong,

Ibuprofen at the very least, and if you have Savlon, apply loads of that. Also, original Blistex cream will help as well until he cam get help.

I get cold sores like that as well and the savlon does seem to help me.

Thank you. This is something that we haven't tried or heard of before.

I'm going to buy some. Thank you

Also ibuprofen for the swelling. Sympathies. I had a terrible outbreak a few weeks ago and it was so painful and uncomfortable and I also felt really ugly. I hope he feels better soon xxx

The Acyclovir tablets are best when the outbreak is that bad

You can also take a maintenance dose to prevent further outbreaks but if he doesn't get them that often, it may not be necessary.

Poor boy.

I used to get outbreaks and my confidence suffered horribly (public speaking job). My doctor gave me acyclovir tablets to take at first signs if an outbreak.

I’m sorry to say that cold sores around the eyes can be very problematic (can cause sight problems) so he must see a doctor asap and I’m sure he will be prescribed antiviral drugs for this reason.

Good diet, lysine, creams and antivirals at the ready. Sun screen if it is triggered by sunlight (mine used to come up on holiday).

Good luck op x

Just remembered - the red light treatment things from places like Lloyds also sped my healing and worked well, occasionally didn’t go from tingle to blister.

plus of course topical acyclovir and being very careful to wash hands and prevent contamination by spreading the virus via towels, fingers, etc.

Your poor son. Dabbing Tea tree oil helps me at the first sign of a tingle. And then once an outbreak has started, I find applying coconut oil helps the healing and cracking - it’s anti viral. Also taking multivitamins and Zinc helps with the healing. Hope he feels better soon. x

I would really not be dabbing home made turmeric solutions on cold sores. Turmeric can burn the skin - please don't chance it

27 cold sores combined with a high temperature? I'd be seeking urgent medical attention I think as this isn't normal

Try and get him a doctors appointment asap or phone 111. Regular painkillers for any pain

I know its not much help now, but your son really needs bloodwork to check his immune system. Im immune suppressed and know im low when I get outbreaks esp in my mouth. Yoù can get really good mouthwash for internal ones on prescription that help the pain. Also are you 100 percent certain its coldsores and not shingles? Are they dotted randomly or follow a line with extras dotted around?

Lomaherpan cream from the British Herpes Association (I think that's what they're called). Absolutely amazing stuff. Relieves pain and soothes really well, and after using it on my persistent annual cold sores for 3 years they cleared up and haven't come back touch wood

I was going to suggest blood tests.

For example, one study on vitamin B12 deficiency and facial pain noted that many patients also presented with cold sores, which responded to treatment with vitamin B12 supplementation
luminancered.com/blogs/news/cold-sore-vitamin-deficiency

I am so sorry to hear this. It's incredibly upsetting for your son and for you.
I just wonder if you have checked for impetigo? I had an outbreak on my face for the first ever time this year, and thought it was cold sores initially. The symptoms and appearance were very similar. Antibiotics cleared it up but I needed two courses.

Take photos and send them to the doctor asap.
Recurrent bouts mean the bacteria could be living up his nose, so a swab is needed to check