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Cold Sores - Oh the embarrassment!!

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: Jul. 2007 ~ Sept. 2007: Health Center (ARCHIVES): Cold Sores - Oh the embarrassment!! users admin

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Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 4:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Eeyoreslament a private message Print Post    
OK, does anyone else have troubles with cold sores? I don't get them very often, but when I do (like now) the one I get is FRIGGIN HUGE!!! It's just not right!

I've tried "catching it" with Abbreva, and I've tried the tea tree oil, but there are just some that are larger than life. I only ever get it in one spot, but it makes me look like I got punched in the mouth and have a big fat lip on the first day or two. Then I end up with a crater on my lip about the size of the top of a Q-tip, and it lasts for the next 7-10 days.

Anyone have a magical remedy to make these babies go away faster?

Hermione69
Member

07-24-2002

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 4:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hermione69 a private message Print Post    
I wish I did, Eeyore. I get them once or twice a year and they are usually monsters. I'm sorry to say that I have found nothing that works except time. I tried Abreva, too, and was very disappointed in it, especially for the price. Now I just keep Blistex on them, but I don't think it shortens the healing time, it just helps my lips feel better.

My mom says if you "freeze" it before it erupts, you can nip it in the bud and I swear that worked for me one time. I felt one coming on and I kept ice applied to the area and it never erupted. But that is not going to be much help to you now as it has already come up.

If you find the answer, let me know. All I can do is commiserate.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 4:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
:-( I get them, too -- but the abreva helps me. I can usually feel them coming on, so if I start applying it ASAP, I can often prevent them from actually getting to the "bubble" stage. I just had one, though -- and I do know staying out of the sun is paramount! I use abreva till the blister goes away, then blistex in the white tube. Sorry I can't help, but I do feel your pain!

Goddessatlaw
Member

07-19-2002

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 4:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Goddessatlaw a private message Print Post    
Eeyore, I don't get coldsores but my dad does and my sisters occasionally get them. I sort of find them endearing, because my dad always got them. Does that make me sick?

My sisters always use Blistex. I wish I had some better advice. Just remember that not all people think cold sores are an eyesore, they're just a fact of life and for some of us even a fond remembrance. They bother you more than they bother anyoen else. My dad is the kindest human being I know, and anyone who has a cold sore is otay in my book LOL.

Dolphinschild
Member

06-22-2006

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 6:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dolphinschild a private message Print Post    
L-Lysine is a natural amino acid and it also is a anti-viral. It works on cold sores, herpes etc.
When I was stressed when I was younger, I had them all the time. My doctor called them my outside ulcers. L-Lysine helps with them a lot.

Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 6:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Eeyoreslament a private message Print Post    
Where can I get it DC?


GAL - wanna make out?

Hermione69
Member

07-24-2002

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 6:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hermione69 a private message Print Post    
A friend of mine also had good luck with L-Lysine. I'm glad you mentioned it, DC. Never worked for me, but it's worth a try, Eeyore.

Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 7:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ddr a private message Print Post    
Concentrated Lysol Cleaner, dab onto cold sore with a qtip. Friends of mine swear by it.

Hermione69
Member

07-24-2002

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 7:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hermione69 a private message Print Post    
Hey, have you tried Windex? Worked for all kinds of ills in My Big, Fat Greek Wedding!

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 7:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Pamy a private message Print Post    
yogurt, plain or vanilla yogurt helps

Hermione69
Member

07-24-2002

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 7:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hermione69 a private message Print Post    
Pamy, do you eat the yogurt or do you smear it on the sore?

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 8:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Pamy a private message Print Post    
smear it on...if I get one in my mouth I let it sit in there as long as I can

something about the bacteria in the yogurt

Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 12:03 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Eeyoreslament a private message Print Post    
LOL - I was reading "lysol" and thinking "where have I heard of lysol before?" and then I slap my forehead and remember that Lysol IS a household cleaner. Isn't it poisonous?

Will have to try the yogurt. I have peach yogurt in the fridge right now, but will try plain tomorrow when I go grocery shopping.

Anyone know where to get L-lysine?

A girl at work said she's used Valtrex with some success if she takes it right when she feels it coming on. And she mentioned another medication, but I forget the name now...

Hermione69
Member

07-24-2002

Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 12:42 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hermione69 a private message Print Post    
Eeyore, I believe any reputable drugstore would have L-Lysine. I checked CVS, a chain in the USA, and they carry it, I think in the vitamin section. You might want to ask your pharmacist and see if it comes in other forms.

Serenity
Member

06-28-2005

Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 6:20 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serenity a private message Print Post    
I have used Valtrex to control cold sores for years. I get them when I am stressed out, and despise them. Over the years I have become an expert at detecting when they are starting to erupt - the "itchy" stage. At that point I take my Valtrex and rarely does a sore blister appear (or, if one does, it is very tiny).

My doctor gives me a prescription with refills, so I only get the pills when I need them. They are expensive so I only take them when I feel a cold sore coming on.

The expense is well worth the money IMO because I would rather pay than deal with the sore on my lip for a week.

Serenity
Member

06-28-2005

Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 6:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serenity a private message Print Post    
Forgot to add...There is a less potent topical prescription cream called Zovirax. It is most effective during the "itchy" stage. I have found that the cream can help dry out a sore a little faster than other over-the-counter products once it erupts, but I still prefer the Valtrex pills.

Holly
Member

06-19-2005

Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 7:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Holly a private message Print Post    
I use the Zovirax too, along with Famvir pills (I think that's similar to Valtrex?) Anyway, both the Rx cream and pills cut my misery down from 12-14 days to around 3-4 days, from very first "tingle" to healed and safe to kiss again! Expensive, yes, but well worth it to me. I always had very large,painful cold sores and very blistery too, but I've noticed with the Famvir that the size is way smaller too. My very first one appeared while on honeymoon in Spain; I'm sure I picked the virus up from a glass over there. It totally ruined the honeymoon as it was humungous and hurt like the dickens. I hate those things and commiserate.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 9:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Eeyores, I will make a run to my local store and see if I can find it before we leave today. They may not sell it in Canada.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 9:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Back. Got it. 60 500 Mg. coated tablets. Remind me tomorrow in case I forget to give them to you.

Dolphinschild
Member

06-22-2006

Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 9:52 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dolphinschild a private message Print Post    
You can get L-Lysine at a health food store. YOu might want to check Walmart or Raleys store, they might have it, but I always got it from a health food store.

Dolphinschild
Member

06-22-2006

Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 10:02 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dolphinschild a private message Print Post    
Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner Eeyore... Your welcome Hermione.

You have to get Valtrex and Zovirax with a perscription. But the combination of using Camforphonic (sp) or blistex, or Carmex, with L-Lysine works together.

Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 10:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Eeyoreslament a private message Print Post    
Thank Juju!! You won't be able to forget them once you have a look at me. I'm hideous!!

I think I might go see the doctor tomorrow morning about a prescription for the future.

Beachcomber
Member

08-26-2003

Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 12:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beachcomber a private message Print Post    
I just got over a fever blister/cold sore and used Denavir (prescription cream) and icing the first 2 days to reduce the swelling. I have found that ice works wonders on keeping it from getting to the ugly stage. If you get tired of holding the ice to your lip, just stick it inside your mouth up against the back of your lip.

I usually get one this time of year because I am eating my Dad's tomatoes by the truckload and OD on acid.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, August 04, 2007 - 6:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Hahahahaha, just got back to this thread. I met Eeyoreslament on Aug. 2, and you couldn't even SEE the cold sore. Of course, I was trying not to look because it was going to be so hideous, and we were meeting for lunch, and what if I looked and then threw up in my plate it was so hideous? Hahahaa!!



Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Sunday, August 05, 2007 - 12:56 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Eeyoreslament a private message Print Post    
It WAS that hideous!!! Blegh! I threw up just looking at myself in the mirror today!!

I actually took Friday off from work and got someone else to work my shift, I feel so hideous. I have the next 4 days off too, so I have to heal by Wednesday. Now I'm at the gross scabby phase, where I have this gross scab on my bottom lip that looks like I had a hot knifing accident. (No, I've never done that, but I did have friends who did in high school, and someone made that comment about me at work.)

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Sunday, August 05, 2007 - 5:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
I've never had a cold sore and haven't even had a canker sore since I was a kid, so it's hard for me to relate to how you all feel.

Eeyore, if you worked topless, I'd bet nobody would even look at your lip. Just a suggestion.

Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Sunday, August 05, 2007 - 5:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Eeyoreslament a private message Print Post    
LOLOL!!!!! Good point!

Dahli
Member

11-27-2000

Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 11:15 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dahli a private message Print Post    
My DD swears by colloidal silver for cold sores. The moment she feels the tingle just dabs the silver on a few times a day and the cold sore never appears. She learned this by spraying it on when she had one once and it went away fast.

I've also used it on conjunctivitis, which cleared up within 24 hours a great change from scripts that take days. The best brand I"ve found is Ariaorange.