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Honored Contributor
Posts: 39,159
Registered: ‎08-19-2010

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.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,717
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

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.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,134
Registered: ‎03-30-2014

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.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 40,903
Registered: ‎05-22-2016

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.

 

Valued Contributor
Posts: 774
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

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

 

Junker2327

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,482
Registered: ‎05-30-2010

Baking soda.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 35,939
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

L Lysine supp and L Lysine cream

Super Contributor
Posts: 343
Registered: ‎09-09-2023

@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.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,584
Registered: ‎03-28-2010

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.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,965
Registered: ‎12-14-2018

Just go ahead and get a prescription.