Comments on: How to Avoid Getting Cold Sores

on 6/30/2006 I read in a home remedy book to place ice on the sore, then attack with hydrogen peroxide. I placed the hydrogen peroxide on a Q-tip, then onto the sore. I did this several times and it went away. Also, the Lysine pill definitely helps!

on 6/30/2006 I have suffered from cold sores all my life, but every time I get one I try anything. The other day I started to feel a cold sore coming on and I had some Cymex. I used it. The next day the one cold sore which I was getting turned in to three, and my lip blew up like a balloon.

on 6/30/2006 Use L-Lysine, an amino supplement as a preventative measure for cold sores. It works best if you take it on a daily basis before a cold sore outbreak. Aspirin also works to reduce swelling.

on 6/30/2006 Recently I had two outbreaks of sores in 3 weeks. I noticed that they both seemed to occur after a sustained (3 day) period of very little sleep (ie. partying). I am thinking that, in my case, this is what is making the difference and that my immune system which is normally strong has been struggling due to lack of proper rest. Also, I noticed a small glandular swelling and soreness in the throat although I am certain that I am not sick in the standard sense, just that my immune system is not burning on all cylinders. I have one of those annoying cold sores that is on the lower fringe of my lower lip and I know that it will be irritated by my razor when I shave. These ones are always the worst because they are so hard to heal and easy to bust open with the razor. Bummer.

on 3/14/2006 Once you feel a tingle, use an ice cube to cool the area and then apply Tea Tree Oil. If you are too late and it has developed, do the same again but first use a clean needle to pop the blister to drain it (doesn't hurt- just reduces scab size), the ice takes the swelling down and the oil will dry out the area!

on 3/21/2006 I have been a cold sore sufferer for about 12+ years, trust me, I know about cold sores and how they work.
I have really tried everything that has basically been made for cold sores. None of them seem to work for me. I don't just get little cold sores in the corner of my mouth or on the bottom of my lip, mine are very severe and I usually get them every 2-3 weeks, maybe once a month if I'm lucky. One thing I read is that if you have an unsteady immune system then you can get cold sores. If you eat at least one container of yogurt a day, then it will help your immune system. Also, the ice trick really does work, because it takes the fever and the redness away. The only over the counter drug I have tried that has helped is Abreva.

on 2/23/2006 As soon as I noticed I had a little cold sore at the edge of my lower lip I bought and put on: Blistex Lip Medex. I thought it would at least avoid the cold sore get huge. But it did not work at all. When I applied the balm I had one little cold sore. I put it on two times every four hours. It was a matter of hours when I realized that the little cold sore had grown bigger, I had four new ones next to that one, and got two more below my lips.
I put on the Blistex again, but those new cold sores I got grew bigger anyway. They still itched. I wasn't expecting instant healing from it, because it only cost $2.95, but it did nothing to me. It is not worth getting such cheap stuff that only got my lips greasy and let the cold sore marinate until it multiplied.

on 2/14/2006 I've suffered from cold sores for most of my life. I get them from too much sun, not getting all of the salt wiped from my mouth area from salty snacks (chips, nuts, popcorn), and from fevers and/or colds. I've used just about everything on the market (prescription, over-the-counter, ice, etc.) with varying results. A friend, who is a nurse, reminded me of one option that I'd used many years ago but had forgotten. As soon as I realize I have a cold sore, I start putting Listerine on a cotton pad and holding it on the sore for several minutes. I repeat this about every hour or so (except when sleeping, of course) and it seems like it just kills the cold sore virus and heals up in just a couple of days (compared to several days with other things I've tried). I highly recommend it. Listerine kills germs, and that includes the virus in cold sores!

on 2/8/2006 I do have a few tips on cold sores and fever blisters. First determine which you have. Cold sore is on the lip and is more or less a bump, where a fever blister is tiny blisters (typically) just outside the rim of the lip. The fever blister is what can spread over your face and up your nose.
Fever blisters must be dried out whereas a cold sore needs to be moisturized. I've had these my entire life and I've tried all the prescriptions as well as the over the counter stuff.
When you feel the tingle, take an antacid. I know it sounds odd, but most of these come from stomach acid reaction. Ice works to dull the pain, heat works to draw the toxins out and soften the scab. You can make a paste with Seaweed soap and apply it several times. Find something to help with the pain. I use baby Orajel to numb it and wash often to keep it from spreading. It has to run its virus. Don't pick or scratch and you shouldn't scar.
My dad uses hydrogen peroxide once the blister has erupted.

on 2/8/2006 When I feel a cold sore coming on, I take L-Lysine. It helps to shorten the healing time, and the cold sore isn't as bad. I also take it daily when I know I am going to get one, and it sometimes prevents one from developing.

on 2/7/2006 The herpes virus requires the amino acid arginine to replicate itself. Try to limit your intake of foods rich in arginine and supplement your diet with the amino acid lysine. Lysine competes with arginine for absorption into your system. Foods high in lysine with a good lysine/arginine ratio are cheese, eggs, chicken, milk, lima beans, fish, potatoes, brewer's yeast, and soy products. Foods with the worst arginine/lysine ratio are chocolate, peanuts, almonds, seeds, cereal grains, gelatin, carob, and raisins.

on 2/7/2006 Cold sores are the worst. They hurt and they do not look attractive. I have heard of several different things to do. I usually take vitamin E gel-tabs (about 6-8) the first day. I also break open one and apply it to the cold sore. I have also heard that Preparation-H works. Popcorn seems to be my problem, along with oranges and foods with acid.

on 2/7/2006 The aloe vera sap remedy is good for healing many skin ailments. For cold sore relief, especially when you feel the hot spot area start to itch, put Campho-Phenique (affordable, from any drugstore) on the area to cool and numb the irritation before the breakout. During a breakout, apply Lidocaine to relieve the pain and as much Campho-Phenique as possible with a Q-tip. I have gotten cold sores since I was in fourth grade, and school/work stress is a big trigger factor, as well as lack of sleep, depression, and alcohol. Avoid these triggers, and eat grapefruit and oranges; the vitamin C juice from these fresh fruits is good for the lips.

on 2/7/2006 I've had cold sores since I was 10, and the only thing that has worked for me is the Valtrex that my doctor prescribed me a few years back. At the signs of the first tingle, I take Valtrex for a few days, and the sore doesn't even come out. Valtrex is usually advertised as being for genital herpes virus, but it is also good on cold sores (which is a similar virus), especially people with frequent outbreaks.

on 2/7/2006 Take L-Lysine on a daily basis (500 mg tablets) and your chances of getting a cold sore is reduced significantly.