Cold sores woes. Sorry!

My mother told me at the first tingle, put on either perfume or witch hazel or cider vinegar. That was when I was a teenager, however I was ill recently and a huge one developed on my top lip stretching up to my nose. I can only sympathise with those that get them regularly. I realised that in 3 weeks I had not put lipstick on or moisturised my lips, I am being extra careful from now on.

I never have the tingling announcing an approaching cold sore, although DH does. I just grin and bear them. They usually come with mouth ulcers and are a sign that I am run down, and oddly enough I usually get them after a stressful phase has ended.

Fennel I use tea tree oil at the first sign of that tingling feeling that tells me a cold sore is brewing, the little beggar never develops after that.

notanan2 thank you for that. It's not well known in the public sphere. The HSV-1 virus can be shed prior to the appearance of the active cold sore, too.

Please be safe rather than sorry around newborns.

Lots of interesting ideas on here. Thank you. Going to check out bio propolis. Has no one used that virulite light therapy gadget? It was brilliant. Stopped the evil sores in their tracks. But the price hike now is crazy.
Son, who is v stressed - interesting that you mentioned since retirement they’ve stopped - has gone off with mine as he had massive outbreak. Now trying to replace a cure in case I get one.
Used to get them so much, less so now. Maybe less stress? Also had mad Candida thrush thing all over mouth three years ago. Tests showed was massively low on zinc. Take supplement every day now. Yeast infection (think caught from stay in awful local hospital!) so not herpes virus, but maybe it helps.
Also. Read in my research, 80 per cent of people carry herpes virus, but not all break up out with the evil things.

Googled and found it on line for £4.50 plus £3 delivery.

Thought I might pick it up in Boots in the morning but don't see it in their on line shop.

sounds daft but a cold used teabag helps but you need to do it at first tingle not wait until it has fully come through

Thanks. Will check Amazon since I am unlikely to be in town for the next few days.
I will report back but hope it won't be needed for a long time!

The bio propolis lip sore cream is on Amazon at £5.99 plus £3.49 delivery. Must check for it in Boots etc.

At the first sign of a cold sore I dab on some tea tree oil. It clears up pretty quickly. I’ve been plagued with them for years. First bit of sunshine or stress seems to trigger them off.

Organic Coconut solid oil can be bought anywhere cheap as chips it’s helped me just really tried it out of desperation with out any expectations and it seemed to settle down overnight

I find that a mixture of tea tree ointment and rescue remedy cream works for me if I use this at the first sign of a cold sore. I also have had to give up lipstick as my lips break out now when I use it. Another pleasure gone. ☹️

mcem. I buy bio-propolis in my local pharmacy but I would think places like Boots/Lloyds probably stock it too.
Hope it works for you.

Only Aciclovir tablets work for me but unfortunately they’re only available on prescription, but like others since I retired I’ve only had one or two in the last five years, one whilst moving house recently.

Oooops!
Will try coconut oil and also the bio-propolis! Where can I buy that please?

Yes definitely stress related!
I am fanatically careful about contagion. At the first sign I alert everyone to the fact that I and I alone will use particular coloured towels and a specific mug. Dishwasher and washing machine run on higher temperatures for the duration!
None of my 3 ACs or 4 DG s has developed the beastly virus so I am sure that's effective!
Ice cubes don't work for me but will try

Cold sores for me are caused by stress and funnily enough I haven't had one since my ex left. Zovirex always worked but not as effective as divorce in my case.

Can I just hijack the thread quickly to make sure everyone knows not to go near babies if you have coldsores. They can be fatal for newborns and not everyone knows that.

Thanks, sorry, as you were.

Try dabbling an ice cube on the area as soon as you feel the tingling at the start of a cold sore. This used to work well for my Mum who regularly suffered from them.

Cold sore!! ?

Stress does play a part as do hormones
I have had more success with coconut oil/ cream than any of the medical creams

Started using a little coconut oil on mine....didnt scab and went away very quickly....

I've not had a cold sore since I retired. Could stress contribute to the problem?

Zovirax stopped working for me too.

I now use bio-propolis which is very effective and if I catch the sore just as I feel the tingling start, a couple of applications of this has stopped it becoming yet another blooming old sore.