Cold Sores - Help!
Discussion
I regularly suffer from cold sores,lately I feel really achy and flu like before each onset, luckily though they seemed to have migrated to inside my nose so at least they are not visible.
However today I have one on my lip, it is painful, obvious and making me feel terrible.
Is it worth the hassle of seeing a doctor, are there any treatments available that really work, these things are really starting to get me down.
However today I have one on my lip, it is painful, obvious and making me feel terrible.
Is it worth the hassle of seeing a doctor, are there any treatments available that really work, these things are really starting to get me down.
As Hoofy said its down to a having a depleted immunity system which allows the virus to resurface. I get them when I have had a drinking binge although can be caused by prolonged exposure to UV so holidays usually result in an outbreak. I have found that taking a course of Echinacea prior and after said trigger will help boost immunity and stop the outbreak, seems to work for me if you get the timing right and if not treat tingle with Zovirax and tea tea oil takes the sting off and aids healing. The lamps are good also which emit a light which stops the blister developing to the same extent.
Kev, I have suffered from cold sores for my whole life. I have tried all kings of creams, patches and lamps but never really found a solution.
Any outbreak was generally (but not always) preceded with something to weaken my system, be it a heavy drinking/partying weekend, intense exercise for a long period (e.g. skiing holiday).
On occasion I would have multiple sores distributed around my lips and eyebrows. Not pretty.
The only thing that I can offer in terms of hope is that as I get older outbreaks are getting less and less common, though I think this also correlates with my lifestyle generally calming down and also starting a family. Big boozy weekends are few and far between and I generally get more sleep and exercise and have a better diet, which I think are the main factors at play.
PS I am now 35.
Any outbreak was generally (but not always) preceded with something to weaken my system, be it a heavy drinking/partying weekend, intense exercise for a long period (e.g. skiing holiday).
On occasion I would have multiple sores distributed around my lips and eyebrows. Not pretty.
The only thing that I can offer in terms of hope is that as I get older outbreaks are getting less and less common, though I think this also correlates with my lifestyle generally calming down and also starting a family. Big boozy weekends are few and far between and I generally get more sleep and exercise and have a better diet, which I think are the main factors at play.
PS I am now 35.
If your doctor is any good they will prescribe an anti-viral like valtrex.
Other stuff like zovirax, compeed pads and keeping the area clean with sterets can really help as well.
I usually keep an 'infection pack' with me containing all of the above, if I get a cold sore it doesn't last more than a couple of days - gets rid of the soreness too.
Other stuff like zovirax, compeed pads and keeping the area clean with sterets can really help as well.
I usually keep an 'infection pack' with me containing all of the above, if I get a cold sore it doesn't last more than a couple of days - gets rid of the soreness too.
I've suffered all my life. Even get them on my eyelids on occasion. Any time I'm slightly run-down (or hungover / early starts / out in the sun) up they pop on my lips. I always get a tingle and can feel it coming - I know its coming and powerless to stop it.
Aciclovir cream has little effect for me apart from being messy and having to touch the cold sores which risks spreading.
However what has revolutionised my life (literally this was life changing for me) was when someone at work told me about this Lipzor:
The slightest tingle and I zap the area 5 times a day. Very rarely do I break out in cold sores now.
I keep a stock of charged up 9v batteries at home and change it every day when I've used it- it seems it only works properly with a fresh battery.
I can't emphasis enough what this little thing means to me. Its really annoying as it beeps on start and finish of cycle, but its worth it. I was completely cynical about it at first and I have no idea how or why it works but it does for me.
Aciclovir cream has little effect for me apart from being messy and having to touch the cold sores which risks spreading.
However what has revolutionised my life (literally this was life changing for me) was when someone at work told me about this Lipzor:
The slightest tingle and I zap the area 5 times a day. Very rarely do I break out in cold sores now.
I keep a stock of charged up 9v batteries at home and change it every day when I've used it- it seems it only works properly with a fresh battery.
I can't emphasis enough what this little thing means to me. Its really annoying as it beeps on start and finish of cycle, but its worth it. I was completely cynical about it at first and I have no idea how or why it works but it does for me.
Edited by was8v on Tuesday 5th August 10:56
was8v said:
I've suffered all my life. Even get them on my eyelids on occasion. Any time I'm slightly run-down (or hungover / early starts / out in the sun) up they pop on my lips. I always get a tingle and can feel it coming - I know its coming and powerless to stop it.
Aciclovir cream has little effect for me apart from being messy and having to touch the cold sores which risks spreading.
However what has revolutionised my life (literally this was life changing for me) was when someone at work told me about this Lipzor:
The slightest tingle and I zap the area 5 times a day. Very rarely do I break out in cold sores now.
I keep a stock of charged up 9v batteries at home and change it every day when I've used it- it seems it only works properly with a fresh battery.
I can't emphasis enough what this little thing means to me. Its really annoying as it beeps on start and finish of cycle, but its worth it. I was completely cynical about it at first and I have no idea how or why it works but it does for me.
I tried a similar model - emits invisible light of some kind. It might have been an older model as it made the same loud beep, used 9v batteries. It never seemed to make much difference to me but I wasn't as diligent as you with the batteries. Aciclovir cream has little effect for me apart from being messy and having to touch the cold sores which risks spreading.
However what has revolutionised my life (literally this was life changing for me) was when someone at work told me about this Lipzor:
The slightest tingle and I zap the area 5 times a day. Very rarely do I break out in cold sores now.
I keep a stock of charged up 9v batteries at home and change it every day when I've used it- it seems it only works properly with a fresh battery.
I can't emphasis enough what this little thing means to me. Its really annoying as it beeps on start and finish of cycle, but its worth it. I was completely cynical about it at first and I have no idea how or why it works but it does for me.
Edited by was8v on Tuesday 5th August 10:56
kev b said:
I think it is the lack of sleep that encourages them, problem is I haven't had a decent nights sleep where I've woken up feeling refreshed, for well over two years.
Is it worth taking supplements, I've always suspected they were snake oil but glad to be proven wrong.
Are you getting enough exercise? Even a small amount (evening walk?) should help you sleep better.Is it worth taking supplements, I've always suspected they were snake oil but glad to be proven wrong.
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