Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Almost constant herpes simplex on my face

21 replies

YouBelongWithMe · 05/12/2023 10:31

Just that really. I get outbreaks of herpes simplex monthly on my face, sometimes more frequently than that. Docs at a loss as to why, but it's really impacting my quality of life.

Has anyone else experienced this and could offer up any suggestions of things to try?

OP posts:
Soberfutures · 05/12/2023 10:41

Ask your Dr for low dose aciclovir. Its the same ingredients as in the cream but it gets in your system better. Especially if you are prone to them. As the creams won't tend to do much once they appear if it's chronic. I also react to sunlight and if my immune system is low I'm very susceptible.

barbarahunter · 05/12/2023 10:43

I'm the same as you, OP and this really worked for me. At the first sign, I give it a zap and it's gone again!

Herpotherm Cold Sore Treatment Device – Long Lasting and Reusable Heat Pen : Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care

DustyLee123 · 05/12/2023 10:44

A woman I know is on daily Aciclovir, and if she ever forgets to take it she instantly get cold sores.

HareSong · 05/12/2023 10:49

If you have periods, then the monthly cycle will often trigger them - it did for me. Also, if your immune system is low, or you are lacking vitamins. I didn't find any creams helped once they were out, but what shortened the life of a cold sore (or even stopped it arriving once I sensed that hot tingle) was a Virulite zapper.

I was sceptical, and it wasn't cheap, but a friend who suffered similarly recommended it to me, and it has beeen so worth it! Given the amount I was spending trying to find over the counter cures, this has saved me a lot of money overall!

https://coldsorescured.com/devices/virulite-electronic-cold-sore-treatment-review/

Virulite Electronic Cold Sore Treatment Review - Cold Sores Cured

You'll do anything to get rid of cold sores. While they do eventually clear up on their own, spending up to 14 days dealing with pain and judgmental stares is something that you want to avoid. And, sadly, some people are more prone to flare-ups than ot...

https://coldsorescured.com/devices/virulite-electronic-cold-sore-treatment-review

SwishSwashSwooshSwersh · 05/12/2023 10:50

You need general blood tests. Low b12 and gluten intolerance can cause repeat outbreaks.

SwishSwashSwooshSwersh · 05/12/2023 10:51

I’ve not had one since going gluten free despite not being celiac

jolene20 · 05/12/2023 10:52

Your GP should be able to prescribe aciclovir tablets. I have always suffered with coldsores very regularly and have tried countless things including the electronic machine. After getting them one after the other while pregnant/when DS was just born my GP prescribed acivlovir. You can either take one ever day or start the course as soon as you feel one coming on, I started taking the course whenever I felt one coming on and now I very rarely get them, I sometimes get what feels like one up my nose when I'm full of cold but it's been well over a year since I last had a visible and painful one!

misspositivepants · 05/12/2023 10:58

I take lysine and it has kept my cold sores at bay for a few months now.

I do tend to go through periods of time whereby I get them very regularly, then nothing for about a year then another period of time of getting them regularly. Think it’s based on stress etc.

grievingandhurt · 05/12/2023 11:30

Persistent cold sores can also be a sign of hypothyroidism so it's definitely worth getting a full blood screen if you can. Since I started levothyroxine I've not had a coldsore in 2 years, before that it was every 2-3 weeks. One would heal and the next would appear. The devices recommended by previous posters are also very helpful in the early stages.

biedrona · 05/12/2023 11:45

get an acyclovir prescription, works for me

Original poster
YouBelongWithMe · 05/12/2023 12:39

I do take L-Lysine already, three 1000mg tablets a day.

I am coeliac (was diagnosed 14m ago) and have been strictly GF since then.

I have tried a low daily dose of aciclover in the past but it didn't deter it. I suppose I could ask for a stronger one, but I'm worried that it's treating the symptoms, not getting to the root of the problem.

I don't just get cold sores, I get actual blister rashes across my face.

OP posts:
misspositivepants · 05/12/2023 12:45

Do you have a picture? Have you gone to the gp during a flare up?

Original poster
YouBelongWithMe · 05/12/2023 13:54

misspositivepants · 05/12/2023 12:45

Do you have a picture? Have you gone to the gp during a flare up?

Here are some photos of around my eyes and mouth

Almost constant herpes simplex on my face
Almost constant herpes simplex on my face
Almost constant herpes simplex on my face
OP posts:
jolene20 · 05/12/2023 20:12

That looks so sore op. What dose acivlovir were you on? I've just checked and mine is 200mg, one tablet 5 times a day when I take the course.

Tulipsroses · 05/12/2023 20:37

I have some on my nose and lips. I always take 6/7 tablets of 1000mg of Vitamin C 5-6 times a day. It dries within 2 days.

Original poster
YouBelongWithMe · 05/12/2023 21:11

jolene20 · 05/12/2023 20:12

That looks so sore op. What dose acivlovir were you on? I've just checked and mine is 200mg, one tablet 5 times a day when I take the course.

This is the dose I'm on too. It used to be stronger when they thought it was shingles, but once identified as HSV1 they reduced it to 200mg five times daily.

OP posts:
Original poster
YouBelongWithMe · 05/12/2023 21:11

Tulipsroses · 05/12/2023 20:37

I have some on my nose and lips. I always take 6/7 tablets of 1000mg of Vitamin C 5-6 times a day. It dries within 2 days.

I'll try this, thanks.

OP posts:
quirkychick · 05/12/2023 21:20

Tulipsroses · 05/12/2023 20:37

I have some on my nose and lips. I always take 6/7 tablets of 1000mg of Vitamin C 5-6 times a day. It dries within 2 days.

Thanks for this. I can't use zovirax and use L-lysine and witch Hazel to keep at bay. Or patches, if round my mouth but mine tend to be in and around my nose.

Op, that looks so sore, I hope you find some relief. Very interesting about being gluten-free. I am mostly, but I might look at that too. Stress makes it worse for me, definitely.

SwishSwashSwooshSwersh · 05/12/2023 22:16

Get some blood tests. B12 iron etc

Helenahandkart · 05/12/2023 22:50

I take acyclovir every day (400mg twice a day) because otherwise I have coldsores every couple of weeks accompanied by swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, toothache etc.
I still get the odd coldsore but rarely, and not as severely as before. I’ve been taking it for about five years.

robert1984 · 19/01/2025 11:13

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page