OTC zicam for now call you dentist/doctor for an Rx monday.You also might ask the pharmacist what they rec.Good luck.

Shelley

Keep it clean and dry. I think it's caused by a herpes virus (not the sexual disease).

Sorry to hear about it, but from what I know there's not a lot you can really do. It's caused by the Herpes virus. Once you have it, you have it for life. There's no cure, only treatment. I did a search and found a few places with "cures" but doesn't seem like they're very reputable.

For the most part it sounds like you'll have it for a week to 10 days. Take care of your health. Get rest, take vitamins. You could check with your doctor if it really bothers you. One site suggested Lysine but I have no idea if it's any good or not. Avoid contact, kissing, etc to keep from spreading it. Wash dishes and utensils thoroughly and sanitize/sterilize them to prevent spread.

It's not unusual. I just briefly glanced at some of the following sites hoping to find something that would help you out my friend. Don't stress out, it'll be over soon! :) Hope you have a great and pain-free weekend!!

Here is a link that might be useful: From a search...

For OTC, Abreva works pretty well. I used to take prescription Zovirax, but it was expensive and I kept needing more and more of it to do the same job. Now I just use Abreva and am happy with it.

L-Lysine makes a big difference for me. For best results, it should be taken on an empty stomach (but I rarely achieve that) up to three times a day.

If you're home and don't mind looking slimy, aloe vera gel can help with the pain and itch.

Good luck!

Sorry I meant to say ABREVA not Zicam Please forgive me.This lack of sleep is affecting my brain.Once again I am so sorry.

Shelley

There is a lip balm that contains L-Lysine.

Thanks, KT gang. Fot the most part, Ill have to just endure it for the few days it lasts. So far it just feels a little swollen and tingles. Friend Cynic, I'll try do do what you suggested and take my vitamines and take it easy. Irs strange that for me its been twenty years between my out break, and my Sis gets it so often. Guess it can be chalked up to be one of lives little mysteries. Unkissable Dottie

Campho-Phenigue works great if you catch it in the tingly stage, it will dry it up before it turns into a big blister. Also will help after it has formed a blister.
Kittywhiskers

dotmom, I'm like your sister so I went on a search over 30 years ago (prior to www) and found a product that works to stop a breakout IF I start taking it the minute I feel that first tingle. The only times I've had a cold sore in all those years was when I delayed taking the pills. It's a natural remedy called cell or tissue salts. The one that's for cold sores is Natrum Mur 6X. If you want more info, you can email me your email address here at My Page. I do not represent the company that makes them in any way, shape, form.

Good luck on whatever you choose to do. I know the misery of having a cold sore.

Shirley

I get one every two years or so. When I get one I usually feel somewhat ill all over: achy and anxious. A bit of astrigent, Calamine lotion at night and an acne cream like Clearasil during the day help dry it. Lysine doesn't work for me at all.

It is the herpes simplex virus. There is nothing inherently sexual about the virus other than the mode of transmission.

Virus that start on the mouth can be transferred to genitalia and vice versa. You can even transfer the virus with your hands. It can enter your body through a crack in the skin or more commonly through the mucosa of the mouth or genitals.

Stress is a big factor in bringing on outbreaks in some people. The herpes virus lives in the nerve endings

Do not share eating utensils or kiss anyone when you have an outbreak.

Finally there is no difference between a cold sore and
herpes. It is never "just" a cold sore. Herpes simplex is not a sexual disease. It is just one that can be easily and commonly transmitted sexually.

OTC stuff is really not necessary or all that helpful. Dabbing the area with a little salt water will help dry it up sooner just as fast as OTCs.

If your sister gets frequent outbreaks she should talk to her doctor about getting a script for an antiviral like Acyclovir.

Interestingly, I have one this week, too. I used to get them all the time as a child, but haven't had one in years. I've had this one for about 6 days and it is getting better, but it's still there.

We start taking Lysine pills when we first feel it coming on, and also the Lysine lip cream.

I get them a couple times a year.When I feel it coming on,the tingly feeling,I start dabbing a little tea tree oil on it.I do this every time I think of it.It doesn't "cure" but it seems to make the severity and duration of the sore a lot less.When it starts to dry out I use lip balm.

Dottie, just so you know, lysine is readily available OTC at drug stores, health food stores, Walmart, and even my supermarkets.

I had one starting on my nose this week. That was a first.

Knocking on wood, never had one!

My dear friend gets them on her lip.

When i was a kid, got cold sores, canker sores and stys all the time. My last outbreak was when I was about 25. I'm now 57 and haven't had any of those in years. Just lucky, or, I think, my body evolved over the years and cast off the herpes virus.

My dad has a prescription for something that can knock it out in 2-3 days, ask your MD or a nurse at a local "minute clinic".

As soon as i feel one coming on i bring out the Preparation H,yes you read that right.I find it works better than anything else i've ever tried,and if i catch it right away as soon as i feel it coming on,it never gets full blown.JMO
Kathi

PS Just don't keep that tube in the bathroom!!! LOL,LOL

I get about 3 or 4 a year. I started out using the Zovirax like Cora. Now I got a prescription for Famciclovir (generic name, can't remember the brand name). I take two as soon as I feel it coming on and two more later in the day. Keeps it from getting to a full break out. Those things are sooo painful (and embarrasing).

I used to get them once in awhile and I had a prescription for a cream called Zovirax, and if you got it on the cold sore when it was first starting to form, you could usually stop it from getting worse and it would go right away. Haven't had one in years now.

Alisande,

My sis gets cold sores frequently and takes Lysine regularly. Last year her nose was just killing her, it was burning and itching inside the nostril. Finally got in to the doctor and found out that it was a cold sore cluster that broke out in her nose, it took longer than the lip ones since it was in such a moist place.

Stacie

Stacie, I don't know why after all these years of getting them on my lips, I would suddenly get one on my nose, but I will agree with your sister that it's a very painful spot! Mine is on the underside of my nose, but I think it extends into one nostril a bit.

My cold sores started when I was 19. My boyfriend at the time was in the service, stationed in Albuquerque, so I know I didn't get the virus from kissing. I probably picked it up on one of the office phones where I worked.

A doctor with big ideas decided to treat my cold sores with 28 smallpox vaccinations. Yes, 28. And because I was so young, I readily went along with this. When the series was finished, I broke out with the worst cold sore of my life. It extended up almost to my nose and down under my chin.

Now, more than 40 years later, I hope the virus hasn't decided to migrate.

1000 mgms of Lysine a day (or more - google lysine cold sores for more info).

You can find it at any Health food or nutrition store.

I take L-lysine when I feel the tingle starting. I'll take 1000 mgs up to 5 times a day. I've heard that 1000 mg of Vitamin C (taken just once a day) is helpful too in addition to the Lysine.

Gadgets, I was just gonna discuss the same solution as you.

Seems as though if I get started on them the minute that I feel one starting I can avert it being quite so ugly and long to heal.

People that don't have them don't realize what a pain in the...lip they are!