Cold sores

Captain Vash

I get them.

I used to only get one, on one side of my mouth very infrequently, usually when I was very sick from something else like a fever.

After my last girlfriend I seem to always have one, if not an open sore, threatening to expose itself...

I tried constantly keeping a visible amount of abrevia on the area, and it seems to keep the cold sore from becoming an open wound but it's still there and while not obvious a month later when I ran out of abrevia it opened right up.

This is highly annoying? are there any recommendations or do I need to go see a doctor about this?

all I can say is thank god she didn't ever go down on me.

Tinuz

There is, taking L-Lysine (a food supplement) should work. This will simply boost your oral immune system getting rid of the cold sore.

However, having cold sores continuously is not a normal thing. This can be for a multitude of reasons, and I doubt a doctor would be able to make much out of it. Still, if this persists, go see a doctor.

EDIT: linky I was hoping for a wiki, but this seems better

Smurph

I get them too and after years I've found that not fucking with them and trying to keep them as dry as possible is the best way to get them to go away. I am not a doctor but every ointment that I've tried to use has seemed to make them worse or do nothing at all. Just keep them dry and don't touch them. They are usually caused by stress for me, like if I have lots of shit going on. If I had a constant cold sore that wouldn't go away it would probably mean that I'm either smearing goo on it and not letting it dry out or I'm waaay to stressed and need to take time to get my shit together.

bowen

Okay, are these canker sores or cold sores? A lot of people confuse the two and I'm just wondering.

Tinuz

Smurph wrote: »

I get them too and after years I've found that not fucking with them and trying to keep them as dry as possible is the best way to get them to go away. I am not a doctor but every ointment that I've tried to use has seemed to make them worse or do nothing at all. Just keep them dry and don't touch them. They are usually caused by stress for me, like if I have lots of shit going on. If I had a constant cold sore that wouldn't go away it would probably mean that I'm either smearing goo on it and not letting it dry out or I'm waaay to stressed and need to take time to get my shit together.

Haha, that too. I have heard various remedies (I got one once two days before a date...the kind where I almost knew we'd end up making out... ) and the only one that seems to have some credibility to it is the Lysine

Erandus

A doctor can get you a prescription for Zovirax ointment, which is much more effective.

Aspirin is actually fairly effective as well, if you can catch it early. If the sore hasn't fully developed yet, crush one and make a paste with some water, and smear it on for 20 minutes or so. If the sore has ruptured, you can scrape one side of an aspirin rough and chalky with a knife and then slap it straight onto the sore for a while. Take a couple while you're at it, or some ibuprofen. They can help reduce the inflammation and discomfort around the sore.

In a pinch, rubbing a dab of underarm antiperspirant on them will dry them right the fuck out. Most antiperspirants have zinc in them, which speeds healing.

All possible treatments are much more effective the sooner you catch the sore. As soon as you feel that tingle (you know the one), start applying something. Don't wait for the sore to actually start to bubble fourth.

Cold sores can become a lot more frequent if you're run down or stressed out. Get more sleep.

Side note: oral sex from someone who gets cold sores is not an instant ticket to Herpville. It's only a problem if they have a sore at the time.

Neyla

Erandus wrote: »

A doctor can get you a prescription for Zovirax ointment, which is much more effective.

I have been getting cold sores for as long as i can remember, and tried sooo many different types of creams and treatments with no luck. This stuff works. As soon as you feel the sensation (tingle) that one is comig on, you put abit of this stuff on and that's it. I haven't had a visible cold sore yet and mine use to be pretty bad, I wouldn't go to work for almost a week when i was a waitress...

Erandus

Zovirax is the best thing I can recommend for sure. Normally you do have to keep re-applying it, but if you catch a cold sore right as the tingle starts, you can keep it from even coming up to the surface if you're diligent. I usually have to apply it 5-6 times a day for 2-3 days, but avoiding the sore is basically a sure thing if I catch it early enough.

Even a tiny little tube of the stuff lasts for months and months too.

Captain Vash

okay okay. sounds like some good advice.

thanks guys.

Captain Vash

Just an update/bump in case anyone else has some amazing new advice,

today I tried out putting some of my antiperspirant deodorant on it / not touching it and the annoying itching factor has gone down 110% it also looks better already!

to think the last month of constant application and worry... and leaving it alone was the real cure all along.
amazing.