Coldsore help please!

[EyesoreColdsore]

I haven't had a coldsore in years, but one sprang up yesterday, and today has become the worst I have ever had, and I look and feel hideous (luckily wfh today). Went to the chemist, he suggested I ask my GP for acyclovir, as well as buying the otc creams and patches, as it's so bad! GP just called and I have thr prescription, so trying to attack this horrible beast from all angles.

I am googling now, and have seen this:

https://www.boots.com/herpotherm-neo-heat-pen-for-cold-sores-10352561?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjws-S-BhD2ARIsALssG0bMj4jIsREtzXmxpY0qcaRSTZa6VwcjBcA78WKSaZJfhk9yvve89P4aAm10EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Has anyone used it? Any feedback? No reviews on the Boots page yet.

Sympathies op they're awful!

Are you sure it's not impetigo?

I occasionally get a cold sore on my nose after a heavy cold….best thing ever is Herpatch. It’s a cream/gel that forms a barrier over the affected bit and you can peel off and reapply.
Sometimes you can buy a kit with a lipbalm thing that you apply at the first tingle which can stop it in its tracks.
They are miserable and mine take weeks to go if they take hold 😩

I'm a prolific cold sore sufferer. The wind blows in the wrong direction and I get one 😫😫.
It doesn't matter what I do it will tend to properly break out but they heal quickly with a course of acyclovir, high strength lysine and keep the skin clean and moisturised. I find the patches take the pain away a bit.
Sympathies, they're horrid.

I don't think so, I have had cold sores before, though this is the first time I have actually spoken to a chemist - normally I just pick up the cream and patches and go. But it was so bad, I asked at the counter if they had anything better than cream and patches, and he had a look and said it was definitely a good time to ask the GP for a prescription. Called GP, sent photo, called me back, got the script.

Thank you for the recommendation, I will check it out. It's been about ten years since my last, so i had hoped there'd be some new stuff available.

This one is on my lip but also a good size blob of blistery grossness underneath, which is why it looks so bad as it is so visible and red.

My first time on the Acyclovir - GP actually said it doesn't speed it up, but should at least stop it getting worse (which is potentially kinda similar, I suppose).
Heal quickly - what timeframe compared to not taking it?

I am going to order some lysine.

Thank you. I feel so so gross.

I have also just dabbed some neat lavender oil on it/them, read this might help. Ouch.

Acyclovir won’t do that much once a cold sore blister has emerged but it might stop you getting another one. I like the patches cos you can smooth makeup on top if needed. Nothing you can do really though, gotta just wait it out.

The Herpotherm is a game changer. If you get it quick enough you can stop it developing. It does sting though!

I can only speak for myself but if I take the 5 a day pronto then they crust over (sorry, gross) really quickly. I probably have stopped the odd one in its tracks with the anti virals.
Watch out for (your) triggers: hormones, sunlight, being run down, trauma to the lips, certain cosmetics etc being some of mine.

Going gluten free resolved mine

Well, at least that is something, thanks.

Herstat propolis ointment - available on Amazon. It’s expensive for a small tube but it works really well to heal cold sores quickly and a tube should last a few outbreaks. I swear by it!

I used to get them horrific all over my lips till I got accloyvir off the gp, I took 3 months worth and it stopped the one I had in its tracks and haven’t had one since, that was 2 years ago

Good to know - I have bought it. Should be arriving tomorrow. I can handle the sting, these things on my face are already throbbing and sore.

Have also ordered lysine tablets, lysine lotion, and the herpatch as recommended above. This bloody things have cost me over £100 today. Ouch.

I used to get cold sores all the time (think every few weeks) started taking lysine three years ago and probably had two very mild ones in that time. It’s been a game changer for me

Bonjela. Trust me. Just normal bonjela. Slather it. And I mean suffocate the bastard all day.

Also get compeed patches, the cheap ones don’t work but these are brilliant

65 years old. Suffered all my life. Nothing beats the bastards. Vinegar or cheap aftershave to dry it up. Keep it soft and it will spread.

Currently sporting a corker right in the middle of my bottom lip.

What is the 5 a day please?

Thank you. I am on my second little block of five now, taking religiously. Got it about 24 hours after the first tingle. Do you keep some at home ready then? I got this on prescription, do you think they'll give me a second round just in case?

Definitely stressed and run down, but have had a shocking few years with more stress than now, and didn't get a coldsore, weirdly.

I actually think this was triggered by a visit to the dentist last Friday for a crown, it REALLY hurt, and he was quite rough with my mouth trying to get it in, and it's on the same side where my lip was being pulled out of the way.

The tablets I am on, ACICLOVIR, they are in a little blister (apt!) pack of five x 5, so you take five a day for five days.

Right - I have used those and they are good - chemist sold me the cheap ones today, I just figured they were new and better, argh, they are crap (£10 down the drain).

Lots on there. Any particular brand recommendations?

Great! Do you take lysine tablets every day then? I actually started to when I had them over ten years ago, then stopped, haven't had one in about ten years, and now, bam. I have ordered some tablets just now.