Cold sore advice?

[AliH80]

Anyone have any advice on speeding up healing time on cold sores? 38 years old, and I can count on one hand the number of cold sores I’ve had in my lifetime! I want to get rid of this as soon as possible because I just bought the favourites lipstick collection and can’t wear any of it until it’s gone!! ☹️

[jozkid]

Hey there @AliH80. I’ve been getting cold sores since I was 4. There are a few things I’ve learned along the way. Different people have different triggers. Some people react to foods, some to sunlight, some to illnesses (like colds), some to stress. Personally I get them when I’m tired out or stressed. I used to have a prescription for Acyclovir capsules, but to be honest I find OTC Abreva works just as well for me. Usually you can feel a telltale tingle in the area of your lip where it’s going to erupt. You have to attack it with the Abreva (or a prescription if you get one) right then and there. If you wait for it to show, it’s going to take way longer to heal. But if you get it early, it can often go away in days. 

On the bright side, the frequency with which you get them tends to decline as you get older!  But do be careful with physical contact when you have one. I won’t even kiss my husband or kids on the cheek. I don’t want to saddle any of them with this PITA condition. 😉

[fantaji]

Ask you PCP for an acyclovir prescription, have it on hand, take the pills the second you feel the tingling.

If the cold sore has already formed, laser treatment is very effective, if you have a few hundred dollars to spare.

[prettymeover]

It is more about preventing the cold sore rather than speeding up. Because once it pops out it takes 2 weeks to clear at least.

Cold sore usually happens when my immune system is low, I don't get enough rest or am about to fall sick. Or weather is cold and my lips are dry and cracked. 

Usually when you feel the area (usually appears at the same spot) tingling, i will quickly use my face scrub with sugar or St Ives scrub with the little kernals to scrub the area. Then put moisturiser and vaseline on the area. 

Afterwards make sure you get enough sleep. It is important to keep the area moisturised. 

You can observe when you usually get it (time of year, when you are falling sick, before your period etc.) Then you can prevent it from occuring so often. 

[DoctorLisa]

chocolate, wheat and sunlight aggravate it.  Always wear a high spf lip balm. (and I do not mean lipstick.) it occurs aat the vermillion border (edge of your lip) so chapstick,   That just helps prevent episodes.  It is a virus and as far as I know the only thing that helps is valcyclovir.  It is prescription but you  should be able to get one from your gp or dermatoloogist.

[fantaji]

@DoctorLisa Agreed, valacyclovir, or its generic acyclovir, make the biggest impact on the heeling time for me. Sometime, if taken early enough, the cold sore won't even form. 

[newcarlee]

Abreva is an OTC ointment for treating cold sores. Online reviews vary about its effectiveness but it has helped my partner a lot.  What would take over a week to heal now can be shortened to just a few days and much reduced in size.

[AliH80]

Driving home from work Tuesday night when I first felt it starting to tingle, I quickly pulled into the drug store to pick something up. I’m using abreva, I think it’s helping somewhat, the big ugly blister turned into a big ugly scab yesterday, and definitely looks a lot better today!!

[TrysBeautyItems]

@AliH80 Your dentist can prescribe a topical, which does work faster than otc.

[RebeccaBT]

Hi @AliH80,

I suggest consulting your physician for assistance. I hope it heals quickly for you! Thank you.

Best,

Rebecca 

[katkapivarci]

@AliH80 I second the Zovirax. It’s the best!! Also I recommend to take vitamin C and B Complex to boost your immunity. I didn’t had cold sore for a long time but when I feel it’s starting to form I take 2 Vit C pills and 2 B Complex pills for few days and the cold sore gets smaller and heels faster.  

[FMB2018]

Sure, it's called Zovirax Ointment 5% (Acyclovir topical cream 5%). Cures them in less than 3 days.