dry lips and cold sores

[cheeky]

For ages now I have suffered from really dry sore lips. I think it was back in January it started when I had a cold sore that took a month to clear upand after one "good" day, another cold sore appeared in exactly the same place. Since then my lips, especially my top lip hads been constantly sore and dry and it feels like my lip is really tight and needs stretching. It is much worse at night and I need to keep drinking to moisten the area even though I don't actually have a dry mouth inside. I've tried Vaseline, various lip balms, E45, vitamin E cream, calendula cream, Bach's Rescue cream.

Anyone got ideas as to whats causing it or what else I can try for it. I am pregnant but its not pregnancy related as I am only 10 weeks

Cheeky
amazing - I have been suffering from exactly the same thing . I've never suffered from coldsores or anything like tht before - but this is SOOO irritating and horrible looking (can't wear any lippy to cover it either!)

If it's any help I have finally booked an appoitment to see my GP on Thursday morning - i'll let you know what she says(unless of course it's something Truly Horrid and I'm too embarrassed )

I use Blistex Relief Cream (used to be called Blisteze) as I suffer from dry lips especially in the winter. Says it is suitable for occasional cold sores too but my dh uses Zovirax.

hth

LIZS, I was trying to remember what else I'd tried, that was it. That used to work on cold sores I had a child, even that doesn't work now. Thanks anyway

zovirax is unbeatable - whether you get to the cold sore in time or not, but check with a pharmacist if you can take it - it's pretty powerful stuff.
I put Zovirax on the cold sore and then lip balm of some description on the rest of my lips using a different finger. Be very careful about dipping your finger back in vaseline etc and rubbing your lip cos if you put it back in the tub then you might spread it to other parts of your mouth (or worse). Make sure other folks use a different towel/cup than yours or they risk catching it too. Charming.
I got cold sores right through pg and always when it's time of the month - basically when you're run down or under a bit of stress - you're body's building a person and that can be a little stressful at times!
Take plenty of vitamin C too because that's antiviral (but not supplements - drink loads of fresh orange juice)

Cheeky - am just back from Gp's. He reckons it's a reaction to some lipstick ( I have in mind a particular culprit !) and has prescribed some hydorcotisone stuff to put on saying "try not to lick your lips or swallow it "!!!

that's interesting finbar, obviously not the cause in my case, I don't use lipstivk. Oh well thanks for letting me know

Actually I haven't had time to go and get thee cream - but interestingly my lips are feeling a bit better - could be that I've not been using lippy for a while or is it the miracle of long term use of Blisteze!

cheeky, I think it might be pregnancy related, when I was pregnant first time, I had really dry lips at the beginning and for the first 10 weeks had one cold sore after another. This time I have had the dry lips but not quite so many coldsores. Are you drinking lots, I get dry lips when I'm dehydrated. I can't really recommend anything else as nothing worked for me really. The only good thing was I didn't get a cold sore for ages after he was born. I think its all to do with your immune system being lowered in pregnancy. I hope they start to feel better soon.

Thanks keeping mum, but this started in January when I wasn't pregnant. I actually haven't had cold sores for a while, just dry sore lips. Isuppose I should be drinking more especially in this weather. Vaseline improves the dryness a bit, but then the next day they're terrible. The pregnancy might be aggravating the problem I suppose

the sun can trigger cold sores so keep in the shade, also i never find vaseline helps long term, in fact i think it makes matters worse. as others have said stick with blistex & zovirax if you actually get a sore. might be worth checking with a pharmacist re the zovirax though. do drink plenty to stop them drying out in the first place.