Coldsore

[teyris]

Do you suffer with cold sores on the lip? What do you use to get rid of them?

Thanks

[Hidden]

I find Zovirax Cream (Aciclovir) is best. It's an anti-viral and now available over the counter. Even Tescos have it. It used to be prescription only. It does still take about a week to get rid of cold sore but starts to work pretty quickly. There are tablets too, but these ARE still prescription only. My son gets these when he goes skiing and finds they work very well. Jane x

[foxglove in reply to Hidden]

I find that Superdrug's own brand of cold sore cream works best. Even better than zovirax - and cheaper!

[Hidden in reply to foxglove]

That's good to know. Thank you. Jane x

[Hidden]

I've not tried the tablets. If I can catch the sore very early, applying Zovirax can help, but I tend to use ice on the sore - think its meant to stop the virus from spreading and takes the inflamation down. Also Boots sell a little machine (you can get similar models from Amazon too) which really helps the healing process.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Hidden]

After having cold sores for many years and trying pretty much everything on the market, Zovirax, good but takes a week to get rid of cold sore, liquorice ointment, not sure that was much use, I eventually got the little machine lorena mentions, I have been using it for over two years and it is the best. It seemed ridiculously expensive when I bought it but if I use it as soon as I feel 'the tingle' it kills the sore stone dead. I have even dealt with cold sores right inside the roof of my mouth just by holding it between my lips. Definitely worth the expense if you get cold sores regularly. Funnily enough though since getting my thyroid on its way to being sorted out I have had hardly any cold sores.

At one point I thought I ws going to have to go to the doctor before I went away on holiday because the sun seemed to set them off and I was beginning to get really ill when I had one but my trusty little machine works like magic.

[HEA72]

I've found dabbing a little tea tree oil directly onto the sore is effective, as it's anti-viral (which is what the cold sore is - a virus). Having a cold sore also shows your immune system is running low, so taking some zinc can often boost the immune system and help the body fight off viruses. I find the combination of taking zinc and applying tea tree oil works very well.

[Mgtiger11]

Tea Tree oil, dab on as soon as possible, works better than Zovirax