The Cold Sore hot topic-

[1bluediamond]

Do you get cold sores? If so what is your best treatment plan? I thought I had finally built up some super immunity to them as I have not had one in over seven years. My experience with them has been unique because the physicians' are never sure if I suffer from cold sores or impetigo as they often have similar symptoms. The reason there was some unsureness is because the first outbreak I had the cold sore (or impetigo) would not heal and started to spread all over my face) they treated it with an antibiotic and it went away. The second time I got one I first used an antibiotic but the symptoms were more like a cold sore and when I treated it as such it started to go away. OY! So I get an antibiotic and an antiviral. But now they have Abreva. So who has used Abreva and what are you thoughts?

[FreeSpriT4eva]

It sounds gross but my grandma use to put ear wax on a cold sore..don't know y but it help..
I use lemon juice on it or vicks vapor rub..

[-LucyInTheSky-]

 If I get one I take L-Lysine supplements. It seems to go away faster.

[1bluediamond]

Quoting FreeSpriT4eva:

It sounds gross but my grandma use to put ear wax on a cold sore..don't know y but it help..
I use lemon juice on it or vicks vapor rub..

Ouch that sounds like that might burn!

[1bluediamond]

Quoting -LucyInTheSky-:

 If I get one I take L-Lysine supplements. It seems to go away faster.

I heard that L-Lysine helps heal it faster!

[MamaScorpio88]

I don't have cold sores(herpes), so I wouldn't know. Isn't there chap sticks to help with them though?

[wenchmommy381]

Quoting FreeSpriT4eva:

It sounds gross but my grandma use to put ear wax on a cold sore..don't know y but it help..
I use lemon juice on it or vicks vapor rub..

Why are the gross remedies the most effective?

My husband gets sores from biting his lip, and has to take Prednisone and Valtrex. I don't have cold sore issues.

[Ziva65]

I take large doses of Lysine when I start to get one, and it goes through it's course more quickly. Here is a link for some info http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/lysine-000312.htm

It doesn't take away the symptoms for me, but it goes away much quicker. I've also seen topical Lysine, but I haven't tried it- it seems more logical to me that if it is a depletion of that amino acid, that to take in systemically would make more sense. But, topically might be worth a try too.

However, topically, I do use abreva, and sometimes Carmex. Both work for me pretty well. I get them when I get stressed, so for me- a good vitamin regimen works best, especially the B's. Putting something directly on top of it does make it feel better for me. I have gotten them really ba, as long a I can remember- to my nose, my whole front lip... with any type of body stress, sunburn, fever, etc...

[RainyDayLazy]

This is what I give my kids when they get cold sores. I stopped taking them after I read somewhere Lysine may increase cholesterol levels and mine is already relatively high.

Quoting -LucyInTheSky-:

 If I get one I take L-Lysine supplements. It seems to go away faster.

[Mommy_of_Riley]

I've never had one so I'm no help... :-/

[OhiogirlinCali]

 My husband gets cold sores from time to time.  He uses Abreva and it seems to clear up pretty fast....