Cold Sores - Frequent!

[GertyTheGert]

Anyone have any tips to alleviate the symptoms/get rid of cold sores? Zovirax no longer works - in fact it now seems to encourage them puff up into a mini balloon! My cold sores now appear in literally 2 seconds so even having Zovirax in the drawer awaiting these monsters to appear doesn't make the cream work - it either just sits on top of the coldsore or you can't help but accidentally spread the cream across and then get 2 more sores........ Reluctantly GP gave me prescrip for Aciclovir tabs but I wondered if anyone knows of a "cure" or of any health supplements I can buy to stop my body creating these mini monsters. I get cold sores at the drop of a hat too - any suggestions - please?!? PS As an aside, I had a cold for a long time (13 wks) so the GP did 3 blood tests, all negative - I even commented on my lack of an immune system but nil showed .........

Strangely enough tomato ketchup seems to work too. Can't link via phone but look it up!

I came on to recommend Liquorice Balm and see that Fozzleyplum has linked to it. I used to be plagued with coldsores, getting one a month at least and they were painful and so annoying. Since using this lip balm I very rarely get them, it really does work and well worth a try at £8. It worked for a few others I know too. Hope you find something that works for you.

The light machine boots stock is fab. I haven't had a cold sore for 3 years, and used to have them frequently.

This one is more preventive. Once your cold sores have cleared up, use medicated Blistex every night before bed. There are many variants of Blistex, this one is a red and white tube, and specifically says 'prevents cold sores'.
I have had chapped lips all my life, and tried everything. Chapped skin makes my mouth vulnerable to cold sores. Blistex keeps my lips in reasonable shape, thus preventing the cold sores. Well that's my theory anyway, good luck!

I use blistex too as a preventative .

Oh no you will not believe this! I have another cold sore! I bought the Boots coldsore "machine" on Weds and have used it since, then the liquorice balm arrived Weds p.m. so I've used it religiously since Weds night BUT my lips are drier and drier the more I use it! I shall continue with the Boots thingy every day and continue with the balm til Monday just to see if my skin needs to adjust in some way! Am off to buy the Blistex "preventative" cream and also try to get the Lysine stuff (big Boots in Kingston doesn't stock). I shall continue in my mission girls! Its quite annoying that even the Zoviraz tabs didn't particularly work either!

Acyclovir no longer works for me but there is another cream, Fenestil, I use that works miracles. I only seem to be able to get it on-line.

Look here

If it happens really frequently, see the doctor about Acyclovir tablets. Theses are also very effective and I found that after a course of them the attacks became less frequent.

I got my Lysine in Holland and Barrett. I don't think Boots sell it but maybe I'm wrong. What dose of Zovirax tablets did you feel didn't work? Once you have a cold sore, if you take Zovirax tablets 5 times a day for 5 days it should clear that particular cold sore up. However it will only work for that cold sore and it won't act as a prevention against future cold sores. To prevent future cold sores you need to take these tablets once or twice daily, every day. There is some evidence that if you take this low dose every day for around 1 year it still has a preventative effect for a year or so after stopping taking them (but can't remember where I read that). I world go and see another GP in your surgery and hopefully they will be more sympathetic!

Hello there, Wellhellothere1 ! The tabs didn't work well although they did make the coldsores smaller. Was 200mg - 1 tab 5 times a day. The GP at first refused to let me have this one pack! I would love to take them for a year as a preventative measure but I know the GP will refuse! Off to Holland & Barrett now!!!

Boots don't stock the Lysine because its marketed as a food supplement not a licensed medication ir supplement.

-2- I think the reason the tabs weren't totally effective was I am not exaggerating when I say the first coldsore appeared in a few seconds. One minute no coldsore (I had just cleansed my face and had used a magnifying mirror and saw nil - I don't get the tingling stage any more). Next minute I made a cup of tea and as I put the cup to my mouth, there was the coldsore - like a mini balloon. Got the prescrp (after begging)that night but by then more coldsores! The tabs did help but the virus had already taken hold. ANYONE HERE GET ITCHY SKIN AT THE SAME TIME AS THE COLDSORE/S FIRST APPEAR? I ONLY JUST PUT 2 AND 2 TOG AND REALISE I GET THAT TOO!!!!!!

Oh thank you Carrie! Boots hadn't heard of it, so that explains! Also will look for Fenestil - I am on a mission! PS The original 2 coldsores I got in this batch haven't totes gone - ie no longer a blister but a red raised area like I had two bad acne spots there and they left their mark! Then the ones on my mouth are at the slight bleeding round the edge of the small crust stage and the one in the middle of my top lip hasn't "come out" but is hovering - I assume it got a shock from the Boots "machine" and the tabs and is going "should I stay or should I go?"!!!!!! What used to work fabulously was Spirit of Camphor but it was banned years ago - sob!

With Blistex, use it like a normal lip balm (once you've got rid of the current crop of cold sores). Just apply any time your lips feel dry, tight or chapped. Definitely re-apply after brushing before bed.

I take lysine it does stop mine scabbing over but I still find my mouth is really sore. I think I'll try the lysine cream aswell I didn't know about that.