topic Re: Cold sore in Wellness

Cold sore

SharkE — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 15:44:00 GMT

Whats the best way to get rid of those **** painful things?

I bit the bullet and in order to dry it up put salt on mine

and let it burn. Helped a little. Spit the salt out.

That stuff U can buy at store is expensive. Stress, causes them, but, it's weird how an event that is not

as bad as others can trigger one.

Re: Cold sore

Ainhisg — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 15:54:42 GMT

Your doctor can prescribe a medication that will get rid of it PDQ. Abreva (or the generic) will help if it's not too far along or a really bad one. My husband suffers with them occasionally. ETA: some people take L-lysine, but it never helped my husband.

Re: Cold sore

Still Raining — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 15:56:07 GMT

Since they are a herpes virus there are both pills and ointments you can get a Rx for. They seem to help. But basically you are infected for life.

Re: Cold sore

SilleeMee — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 16:36:54 GMT

Abreva contains the active ingredient 10% docosanol. I buy a generic balm from eBay which contains 20% docosanol for a fraction of the cost and it works really well. I've had cold sores for as long as I can remember and that balm is a godsend....that and a lysine supp.

If you're interested in the lip balm search eBay for:

2 TUBES of Cold sore lip balm, with 20% docosanol for $10.

(free shipping) Comes in stick or pot.

ETA-

In the past I was prescribed antivirals but they gave me unwanted side effects. I won't take them any more.

Re: Cold sore

Junker2327 — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 16:22:06 GMT

Listerine!! I gargle and then let it drip down on the cold sore.

Junker2327

Re: Cold sore

ahoymate — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 16:22:59 GMT

Baking soda.

Re: Cold sore

Shelbelle — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 16:29:12 GMT

L Lysine supp and L Lysine cream

Re: Cold sore

ILOVEDOGS — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 16:44:33 GMT

@SilleeMee Thanks for the info! I just ordered from EBAY.

Unfortunately I've had cold sores since my late teens. I remember who I caught the virus from, my surgeon. I remember him when I was in the hospital emergency room and his lips were covered with them, YUCK. I don't get them often now but stress can trigger cold sores and lately I've been under too much stress so it won't hurt to have handy.

Re: Cold sore

ScrapHappy — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 16:51:27 GMT

I've been getting cold sores all my life. When I was little (elementary school age) I can remember my Mom putting Blistex Medicated Ointment on it. (the white tube). That helped and took away some of the pain and itching. Now there's Abreva which work very well (for me). I still use Blistex to this day on an every day bases for my lips, not just cold sores (chapped lips). I'm never without it. I'll use it when I don't have Abreva in the house.

Re: Cold sore

Spacrazy — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 17:02:58 GMT

Just go ahead and get a prescription.

Re: Cold sore

RedTop — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 17:26:34 GMT

Ask your medical provider to prescribe Zovirax topical ointment; I'm never without it. This acyclovir cream applied 4x a day as soon as you feel the tingle or see the puffiness, usually stops the blister from forming or reaching that ugly stage.

Re: Cold sore

Nightowlz — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 17:43:23 GMT

Abreva works if you start using it before you get a cold sore. My lip tingles & itches a tiny bit before I get one. I apply the abreva. I never get the cold sore.

I'm not sure how well it works once you already have a cold sore but I would try it. It's expensive but worth it IMO.

I haven't had one in years Thanks to Abreva. I always buy another tube of Abreva when I run out even if I don't need it yet. I won't be without it.

If you have tea tree oil it will help since it kills bacteria. If you have some put it on a q-tip with some coconut or olive oil.

Re: Cold sore

LindaSal — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 17:45:59 GMT

Agree about Abreva. Even though it's pricey the tube is usually good for a couple years.

DH gets them often so he feels them coming on and immediately applys it, day or two all symptons are gone. We are never without it and I always take it with us on vacations.

Re: Cold sore

spumoni99 — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 18:25:19 GMT

@ILOVEDOGS wrote:
@SilleeMee Thanks for the info! I just ordered from EBAY.
Unfortunately I've had cold sores since my late teens. I remember who I caught the virus from, my surgeon. I remember him when I was in the hospital emergency room and his lips were covered with them, YUCK. I don't get them often now but stress can trigger cold sores and lately I've been under too much stress so it won't hurt to have handy.

Don't you have to kiss someone to get it from them? I am truly asking I really don't know.

Re: Cold sore

RedTop — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 19:17:39 GMT

@spumoni99

No, kissing is not the only way to transmit this virus. Most of us cope with this for our lifetime after recovering from chicken pox; the virus remains in our body and flares from time to time.

Re: Cold sore

sandy53 — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 19:27:06 GMT

I haven't gotten cold sores since menopause, but before that I used to get them often. What worked best for me was as soon as I felt the tingle I would take several lysine tablets. Then I'd take more lysine over the next day or two. That usually kept the sore from erupting.

It seemed like someone in my family would get sick and I'd get a cold sore. Sometimes sun exposure did it. Now with good sunscreen for lips it is easier to prevent those.

Re: Cold sore

Mom2Dogs — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 19:52:26 GMT

@SharkE When. feel one developing on my lip..I start to ice it...I hold an ice cube on the area many, many, times per day. For me it helps the sore not get so ugly looking and someimtes I have noticed it does not form into a huge sore on my lip.

Sun exposure can also make those buggers appear.

Re: Cold sore

spumoni99 — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 20:00:00 GMT

@RedTop wrote:
@spumoni99
No, kissing is not the only way to transmit this virus. Most of us cope with this for our lifetime after recovering from chicken pox; the virus remains in our body and flares from time to time.

The Shingrix vaccine has good results. I have had that vaccine and the one before.

Re: Cold sore

LavernLuvsShoes — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 21:21:38 GMT

Carmex - Has always worked for me - One small tin lasts forever.

Re: Cold sore

SilleeMee — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 21:51:37 GMT

There's a genetic component involved with a person's ability to get cold sores or not. I studied this in college. There is a window of opportunity for the body to make antibodies against the virus then after the window is closed, the body is unable to make the antibodies. That window opens at a very young age, somewhere in the toddler years and when exposed to the virus at that age then the body produces antibodies against the virus but only if the body has the genetic makeup to make them to begin with. Those who were exposed during the window of opportunity, who have the genes to make the antibody, will never get cold sores. It's a very interesting process involving immunity.