I get coldsores at least once a month, they are so frustrating!
I asked my midwife about using Zovirax and she said it was fine, but when I went to the chemist he said I shouldnt be using anything that contain the active ingredient.. (which rules out any coldsore cream basically) He said the only thing I could use was the Nyall cream, which I havent tried it yet.
I used to use L-lysine tabs all the time a few years ago, when I used to get them really bad.. and they worked brilliantly.
The last few I have had I have just let go, and used paw paw ointment..
I use a totally natural dab-on stuff from a place called Tinderbox. I order it online and ever since I was a child, it was the only thing that ever got rid of my coldsores.
I have really sensitive skin and find that most of the commercial creams burn all the skin off my mouth and lips. Ouchies.
I used to get these things religiously. I hate them so bad it makes me want to cry. The last time I had some I was so depressed and inconsolable that my poor DH practically drove all over town talking to anyone with even half a clue to try and find something to help me.
The spoke to a pharmacists who gave him a bottle of Lysine. Told him I need to take it for the duration of this cold sore, then half a tab for two weeks after that to build up the lysine in my body. After that, take one tab whenever I am in a situation that usually leads to a cold sore (aka, split my lip on the laptop going through a closed door.. doh). This was over 12 months ago. I haven't had one since.
The websites go on about studies being inconclusive and this and that, but it has been 100% effective for me. My younger sister who gets cold sores much worse (inside the mouth and throat) started taking lysine at xmas when I got her a bottle. She too has not had a reccurance since.
ETA: The "recommended" regime is 500mg a day - but I have not needed it. 500mg a day for 2 weeks, then 1000mg when at risk.
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