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Post by iamkristinl16 on Oct 21, 2014 19:52:32 GMT
After going about a year without a cold sore, I have now had two in a month. What are your favorite remedies? My abreva is expired so I need to get a new tube or something else. My friend swears by Thieves from Young Living. She said her cold sore didn't even blister up and was totally gone in two days, but I tried it last night and this morning and mine is getting worse. I know I have seen Lysine recommended. Any specific brand? I bought some awhile back but the pills are so big I can't even swallow them.
What do you do or use to make cold sores go away faster? Thanks!
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Post by Miss Ang on Oct 21, 2014 19:56:55 GMT
We have used Zilactin-B with good results. It does have a color and a strong smell so we only use it at night.
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Post by SnowWhite on Oct 21, 2014 20:36:29 GMT
Lysine and a ton of it. I finally figured out my trigger was coffee and since I stopped that almost a year and a half ago, I've not had a single cold sore. That said, when I would get them, I would FLOOD my system with Lysine, on the order of 16k-20k mg (so if you bought the giant 1000mg pills, 16-20 of them). Warning: don't do that on an empty stomach, it won't be kind to your intestines.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:30:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2014 21:38:38 GMT
Call your closest female relative and tell her you are giving it to her.
The gal I worked for really did this. The whole family did this. Yup that was a family to be in.
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Post by *sprout* on Oct 21, 2014 21:44:35 GMT
I swear by Campo-Phenique (or some resemblance to that spelling!). I also pop the blister as soon as it forms, which I know is bad. But, I've found that the sooner the blister pops, the quicker it heals.
The last time I had a cold sore, I got three at the same time. Ugh! I took a lot of lysine in addition to the CP. It also helped to keep it moisturized once it did scab over.
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Post by *sprout* on Oct 21, 2014 21:48:34 GMT
I also started using a toothpick to apply the medicine to the cold sore. Usually, I break a bunch in half and keep them in the bathroom. I hate using my fingers to apply it. No matter how well I wash my hands, I always worry about accidentally contaminating something.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:30:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2014 22:01:57 GMT
Nothing but a standing Rx if Valtrex and something topical to numb it.
ETA: there is nothing worse than an infected cold sore. I only use qtips to apply topical meds.
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Post by cindyupnorth on Oct 21, 2014 22:06:35 GMT
I take a prescription med. I can't remember the name, and I'm too lazy to go look ha. As soon as I feel something tingling along my lip I take 3 pills, then 12 yrs later take 3 more. It works WONDERFUL! I don't blister up, or have a big gapping wound. It dries up. I know when I'm stressed I get them more, and take it right away.
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,539 
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Post by iowgirl on Oct 21, 2014 22:09:28 GMT
Use the Abreva anyway. The expiration date on a lot of medications is not really that accurate.
I find that it really works - if you apply at the very first tingle. I also take a heavy dose of aspirin then too and continue the aspirin for a couple days.
Stress, a cold with a slight fever, or too much sun triggers mine.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:30:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2014 22:17:19 GMT
Zovirax cream. It's a prescription and the only thing that works for me.
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Post by dazeepetals on Oct 21, 2014 22:21:49 GMT
I've heard tea tree oil (Melaleuca A) works well. I haven't tried this yet, but when my DH gets his next one (usually on a once a year basis) we will give it a shot.
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brandy327
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,353
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Post by brandy327 on Oct 21, 2014 22:39:32 GMT
I get them, but thankfully not often. My dd, who's almost 10, started getting them a couple of years ago.  I feel horrible for her because she gets them a LOT. Like every 6-8 weeks. The doc told us that it's normal for the first couple of years after getting the first one, to get them often. She prescribed a med to take when you first feel the tingling. Thankfully she can tell right away if she's getting one and takes the meds. Unfortunately, the meds are like horse pills and I have to quarter them for her to be able to swallow but they do help. She's taken them at least 3 times in the last few months and she's either not had the blisters start at all or it's been SIGNIFICANTLY reduced and the time she's had it was cut in at least half. |
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jayfab
Drama Llama
procastinating
Posts: 5,748
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Post by jayfab on Oct 21, 2014 23:04:00 GMT
I rarely get them anymore and I think it is because of a rx prescribed by my dentist. As years go by I get them less and less. For me it's stress, fever or the sun that triggers one. The rx is for Acyclovir, at the first tingle I take 2 along with some Tylenol to reduce the swelling/fever and smother on the Abreva. I never get the big scab anymore, just some swelling the first day, and the small blisters go away after a few days.
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Post by sisterbdsq on Oct 21, 2014 23:09:02 GMT
I take a prescription med. I can't remember the name, and I'm too lazy to go look ha. As soon as I feel something tingling along my lip I take 3 pills, then 12 yrs later take 3 more. It works WONDERFUL! I don't blister up, or have a big gapping wound. It dries up. I know when I'm stressed I get them more, and take it right away. Twelve years! |
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Post by cindyupnorth on Oct 21, 2014 23:23:29 GMT
HAAAAAAAAAAA..12 yrs. I think I'm stressed now. 12 hrs. yet..I just missed a letter.
Why is it that sun triggers them? I've found that too!! I hate it, cuz it seems like I avoid the sun more and more because of it. and in MN, with a vit D deficiency, that's not good.
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jayfab
Drama Llama
procastinating
Posts: 5,748
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Post by jayfab on Oct 21, 2014 23:29:54 GMT
HAAAAAAAAAAA..12 yrs. I think I'm stressed now. 12 hrs. yet..I just missed a letter. Why is it that sun triggers them? I've found that too!! I hate it, cuz it seems like I avoid the sun more and more because of it. and in MN, with a vit D deficiency, that's not good. I used to be scared to be in the sun. I go to Mexico or some where warm usually every year and I would always be fearful of being on vacay with a humongo cold sore. Now I make sure to have my "remedies" and never worry anymore. Oh and I always use a high spf lip balm when in the sun. |
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,378
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Oct 21, 2014 23:42:04 GMT
I've never really found anything that works well. This year I've had 2 of them so far. So, a couple of weeks ago I saw my dermatologist and asked her for a prescription. I am now carrying Valtrex with me so I'm ready if another one strikes. I just hope that it works as well as I want it to.
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Post by annabella on Oct 22, 2014 0:07:01 GMT
I find that peppermint oil works faster than valtrex. Yes a sunburn always come along with a cold sore.
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Peamac
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea # 418
Posts: 4,240
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Post by Peamac on Oct 22, 2014 1:59:09 GMT
Carmex. As soon as I feel the first tingling on my lip, I slather it on, and keep doing it until the cold sore goes away. Good luck!
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,539
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Post by iowgirl on Oct 22, 2014 2:09:10 GMT
Does anyone else get them between their top lip and nose? I very seldom get one on my lip anymore (I very seldom get them at all now, thank goodness), but it seems to be in the area between my nose and upper lip and on the right side.
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Post by kayk on Oct 22, 2014 2:57:49 GMT
Try lip balm that has Lysine and tree tea oil in it. My dentist had me coat my lips with yogurt a few times a day. And avoid nuts, chocolate and tomato foods.
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knotlazy
Full Member
Posts: 275
Jun 26, 2014 18:00:51 GMT
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Post by knotlazy on Oct 22, 2014 3:05:40 GMT
I'm making notes from this thread...my DH gets them from stress and the sun...I didn't know there was a Rx he could get....next time he goes to his PCP, I'm going to give him a list of RX he should see if he can get to keep on hand. He has a lot of work stress coming up and will probably have a break out.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Oct 22, 2014 3:09:56 GMT
I asked about the prescription a few years ago and it was $40 after insurance. I thought that was too expensive to pay for a cold sore (and I think that only enough for one cold sore?). I stopped at Target tonight and they were out of all of the cold sore products except Carmex so I decided to just stick with the Abreva for tonight. My biggest problem is when it starts to scab over. That stage lasts forever for me and I am constantly checking to see if it is bleeding. Yuck.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:30:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2014 3:17:56 GMT
I asked about the prescription a few years ago and it was $40 after insurance. I thought that was too expensive to pay for a cold sore (and I think that only enough for one cold sore?). I stopped at Target tonight and they were out of all of the cold sore products except Carmex so I decided to just stick with the Abreva for tonight. My biggest problem is when it starts to scab over. That stage lasts forever for me and I am constantly checking to see if it is bleeding. Yuck. My Zovirax is $35 and the tube lasts me about 6 months. Not just one cold sore. You use a tiny bit. But of course each insurance is different. |
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Oct 22, 2014 3:34:22 GMT
I think what they prescribed was a pill? Maybe not. It was a few years ago. After I had my second child I broke out in horrible cold sores. I had to be very careful not to spread it to him and it was horrible. So, my dr told me I could have it as a preventive measure when I had my third child, but I opted out of it due to the cost and she said it may not be more effective than Abreva, which I already had.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:30:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2014 3:35:46 GMT
I think what they prescribed was a pill? Maybe not. It was a few years ago. After I had my second child I broke out in horrible cold sores. I had to be very careful not to spread it to him and it was horrible. So, my dr told me I could have it as a preventive measure when I had my third child, but I opted out of it due to the cost and she said it may not be more effective than Abreva, which I already had. There are a few kinds. I find the Zovirax topical cream to work best. I've used it for about 8 years b |
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Post by vronn on Oct 22, 2014 3:57:35 GMT
My doctor gave me an Rx for some kind of wonder drug. They are big blue pills, I take 4 every 12 hours. It's awful to swallow them, but if I take them once I feel that tingle, it clears right up.
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,378
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Oct 22, 2014 4:02:18 GMT
I asked about the prescription a few years ago and it was $40 after insurance. I thought that was too expensive to pay for a cold sore (and I think that only enough for one cold sore?). I stopped at Target tonight and they were out of all of the cold sore products except Carmex so I decided to just stick with the Abreva for tonight. My biggest problem is when it starts to scab over. That stage lasts forever for me and I am constantly checking to see if it is bleeding. Yuck. It is a lot of money to pay for a cold sore, but for me anyway-- I'd pay pretty much anything to make it go away ASAP. So embarrassing. I can't remember exactly what I paid for Valtrex (I think there's enough to last through 2-3 outbreaks),but it was either $10 or $20. Like scrappower said, every insurance is different. I hate the scab stage, too. Of course, I hate all of it. |
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Post by AngieandSnoopy on Oct 22, 2014 4:02:56 GMT
Am I the ONLY one that has good luck with aloe vera? I mean the actual plant. The moment I feel it coming on, I break off a piece and keep it moist with the aloe vera for a few hours and it never comes up. IF I'm not around a plant and it starts coming up anyway, as soon as I can, I keep it moist with the aloe vera, it does stop getting worse and it quickly goes away. I've been doing this since the 80's when a friend told me about it AND gave me a plant.
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,378
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Oct 22, 2014 4:03:16 GMT
My doctor gave me an Rx for some kind of wonder drug. They are big blue pills, I take 4 every 12 hours. It's awful to swallow them, but if I take them once I feel that tingle, it clears right up. That's what I just got--the big blue pills. Your post makes me feel hopeful that they will do the trick next time I get one. |
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I feel horrible for her because she gets them a LOT. Like every 6-8 weeks. The doc told us that it's normal for the first couple of years after getting the first one, to get them often. She prescribed a med to take when you first feel the tingling. Thankfully she can tell right away if she's getting one and takes the meds. Unfortunately, the meds are like horse pills and I have to quarter them for her to be able to swallow but they do help. She's taken them at least 3 times in the last few months and she's either not had the blisters start at all or it's been SIGNIFICANTLY reduced and the time she's had it was cut in at least half.
