Fever blisters/cold sores

**my analisa** · 06-17-2012, 07:00 PM

What do you use when you get a fever blister/cold sore on your lips? I heard taking Lysine supplements can help and maybe even prevent them I think? What else do you use? Any other preventative type measures that you heard or know of? TIA!

**JennRoss** · 06-18-2012, 07:47 PM

Short of putting on lysine, Abreva, or Carmex, I don't think there's anything you can directly take for cold sores to prevent more, since it is a virus. Using lemon extract or a lemon lipbalm eases the discomfort some too, I've found. Here's a chapstick I came across, I personally haven't tried it though.
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/her...od5721-product

**squirrel** · 06-18-2012, 11:17 PM

Lysine definitely works for me though I used it for canker sores. The guy at the health food store was puzzled though cos he said it's supposed to work for cold sores. Definitely though, it flares up because of stress and diet so talk to someone and see what you can supplement to boost your immune system.

**bagelwright** · 06-19-2012, 04:43 AM

Oral zovirax (acyclovir) taken when you first feel the tingle, then continued according to the script for a few days works by stopping the virus from replicating. Abreva is the best drugstore remedy, but it doesn't stop the replication. It does relieve the discomfort, and helps heal the skin.
I use both together.

**ILYF** · 06-19-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bagelwright

Oral zovirax (acyclovir) taken when you first feel the tingle, then continued according to the script for a few days works by stopping the virus from replicating. Abreva is the best drugstore remedy, but it doesn't stop the replication. It does relieve the discomfort, and helps heal the skin.
I use both together.

Thanks goodness I don't get them but hubby sure does!!!!! We have found absolutely no OTC remedy that does a darn thing to help. I have read a lot about them and from what I've read the zovirax and valtrex taken orally is about the only thing that actually makes them go away quickly. My husband gets horrible huge painful sores that last for over a week at a time. Can't seem to figure any trigger...they just appear over night usually, just out of the blue. He has tried so many home remedies and OTC meds it's ridiculous. Seems like what works for one, doesn't work for another. Sometimes the sores go away quickly but sometimes they explode into hideous embarrassing sore that seem to never go away. If I got them like that, I would keep a prescription of pills and take them as soon as one pops up! I can't get hubby to take them though. He does take l-lysine daily though. Remember they are herpes so they can be spread to others...don't kiss(or drink from the same glass of) anyone during an outbreak or they stand the risk of getting them too!

**silverchick** · 06-19-2012, 08:22 PM

My manager loves Lysine as she gets cold sores pretty often. She says it really works!

**my analisa** · 06-20-2012, 01:36 PM

Thanks so much, gals! I haven't had a cold sore in 10 years, but with all the unbelievable stress I have going on it's no wonder! Thanks bunches again!

**DarleneH** · 08-11-2012, 08:43 AM

I've heard to put coconut oil on it (the extra virgin kind from the health food store). Coconut oil supposedly has a lot of health benefits if you take a spoonful or two a day, and externally it has antiviral and antibacterial properties that are very healing topically. I'll try to find the site where I read that.