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I'm getting that unmistakeable tingling on my lip. I just googled (wanted to check how often to apply ice) and came across a reference to a betadine cold sore product. Apparently it helps minimise the spread unlike Zovirax. Has anyone used this - or any other cold sore product - that they can recommend?
ETA I've already swallowed down the lysine :)
I have only ever used the zovirax so I don't know what else would work well
Neat tea tree oil! I reckon it's working better than all the coldsore creams I've used :)
As soon as you feel the tingle, dab about with an alco-wipe, or worst case, cotton bud dipped in metho(!) It dries it right up and the virus can't grow.
There is also a pressure point on the outer side of each big toe. You can rub it to discourage cold sores. My mum swears by tis. I think it works in reverse - whenever I wear tight shoes that rub on this spot, I seem to GET cold sores.
Anyway, back on topic - yes I have used the betadine stuff. I have tried most things for cold sores in my time. It might stop the spread, but it doesn't help the cold sore along any. Aciclovir (active ingredient) is your friend. Note to all - must not use during pregnancy as it interferes with DNA replication.
My current fave treatmentis the alcowipe at the beginning. The I move on to dabs of 50-50 bicarb-cornflour mix 5 times a day (dries it out) and then on to pawpaw ointment in the hurty stage.
But, heavens, just realised I haven't had one since June 20! That must be a record. Where IS that champagne?? :D
Hehe snuggly you sound like you've got the whole routine down to a fine art! Fantastic you haven't had one in so long!
Maya I hear you on the tea tree oil...will alternate with that and whatever else I get.
DH uses Carmex ointment
I use vodka from the freezer and dab it on with a cotton ball - it combines the ice and alcohol. If that fails then I just drink it :lol:
I use Nyall or the Blistex one. Works just as well as Zovirax, and is cheaper for double the amount!
Thanks everyone for your replies.
Upon further reflection I"m a bit confused...I think it might have burnt my top lip yesterday on hot soup (hadn't stirred it properly out of the microwave) - so now I'm not sure if it's a burn or a coldie or both. Could it be both? Would a burn provoke a coldie?
Lysine (amino acid) from the chemist/natural health store is great. Its brilliant for preventing it too ;)
Lysine for Cold Sores - How Do I Use It For My Cold Sore?
Lysine cold sores? Yes, lysine is an amazing cold sore treatment - if you use it correctly. You will not experience good results if you use lysine for cold sores the way many do.
Lysine for cold sores, without a doubt, has been well documented as one very good way to fight cold sores, fever blisters or oral herpes.
But before we talk about that, let us quickly look at the real cause of cold sores, fever blisters and oral herpes. Then we will better see why and how of lysine for cold sores works.
The herpes simplex virus creates the cold sore in its effort to make new virus.
The herpes virus normally remains dormant. It hibernates in the nerve roots. Sometimes it becomes active. It then worms its way to the surface through the nerve fiber it has chosen as home. You can feel this movement as an itching or tingling in the cold sore area.
At the surface each particle chooses a victim nerve cell, enters it and takes control. That controlling virus particle then forces the cell to produce new copies of itself.
Once the cell is stuffed with new virus, the controlling virus kills it to spill out tons of new virus particles. When you see a cold sore, fever blister or oral herpes, you see the result of millions of destroyed cells.
Arginine, a simple, common amino acid, is the main building material used by the cell to create virus. Since Arginine has many important uses, the cell has a special area within to store this protein for future use.
Keep in mind - the cell MUST have Arginine in ample supply or it will not be able to create new herpes virus.
Lysine is another very common amino acid that is quite similar to Arginine. In fact, the cells store lysine in the same area as Arginine. If the cell has more lysine to put in storage, it then has much less Arginine - for lack of room.
The secret of lysine for cold sores is that lysine cannot be used to build new virus. Lysine simply does not support herpes reproduction - any more than water supports fire.
The key to success with lysine for cold sores is to flood your cells with lysine and crowd out as much Arginine as possible.
The herpes virus, when it senses this, will usually give up and go back to being dormant.
You can change your diet to accomplish this. You can eat high lysine foods such as fish, cheese, yogurt and most vegetables. At the same time, you should avoid high Arginine foods such as nuts and chocolate.
But, changing your diet is not always practical or convenient.
Most people find that the easiest way to use lysine for cold sores is by taking lysine supplements. They are cheap, easy and work very well. Look for the 500-milligram capsules. Capsules disperse more quickly during digestion.
Common dosages taken during an outbreak are 2000 to 6000 milligrams per day. This would be four to twelve capsules. Lysine is quite safe, but always start on the low end and work your way up.
Some folks also take a maintenance dosage of one to two capsules per day as a preventative measure. This is fine, but you will eventually have to take more and more as your body becomes tolerant to it. I prefer to save the power for when I need it the most.
Here is the big mistake many folks get talked into.
Be cautious of certain cold sore remedies. These are salves that contain lysine for topically treating a cold sore.
Keep in mind that lysine for cold sores is primarily an internal remedy - and it works quite well that way. Lysine is not very effective put directly on the wound.
The reason is this. Lysine must get inside the cells to stop the herpes virus, as explained above. It is a large molecule that does not absorb well through the skin or mucus membrane.
It must go through the normal digestive system and get into the bloodstream.
Such salves and lotions may have other useful ingredients, but do not buy them for the lysine.
Fact is - lysine for cold sores is one of the more effective cold sore remedies. But, it can be many times more powerful when you combine them with other cold sore remedies. I wish I had room here to give you all of them.
Does your cold sore, fever blister or oral herpes outbreaks seem to last too long? Or do you just get way too many of them?
Either way, you can greatly reduce your pain and embarrassment by using lysine for your cold sores.