Does anyone know of any good preventative treatments for cold sores?

Question

Hi there,
I'm asking this for my wife, The missus use to be really prone to cold sores, pretty much one every couple of weeks, this was reduced to once in a blue moon, she took L-Lysine and saint johns wart, which worked wonders, however she has had to come off the saint johns wart because it is interfering with the pill, with this the cold sores are starting to return more often and its getting her down, anyone know of any other alternative to the saint johns wart, i'm looking for something that will keep the cold sore at bay and not an after treatment.
Cheers

Answer 1

I can guarantee that this works, it works for me everytime (as long as I am quick enough).
As soon as you start to feel the tell tale tingle, eat an ice lolly. It has to be an ice one, like an orange maid or similar, not a raspberry split style, or magnum (unfortunately).
Make sure the tingly area gets lots of contact.
It won't even appear.

Answer 2

The internet offers mixed reviews on many of the dozens of cold sore medications on the market today, ranging from statements like "my cold sore was gone in two hours" to "this stuff made it worse!" Some cold sore medications obviously have a better track record than others, but it can be difficult to find the perfect remedy for that annoying and embarrassing cold sore. The biggest factor that will contribute to the effectiveness of your chosen cold sore remedy is noting the stage at which the cold sore has developed when the first treatment is applied to the site. Any cold sore sufferer knows that the best way to treat a cold sore is to nip it in the bud as soon as possible. Once blisters begin to form, you may be out of luck if you are not using the right cold sore medication.
http://www.lalorpharmacy.com

http://www.jvspharmacy.com

http://www.barpillz.com
Zovirax (Aciclovir):

Let me just say that I absolutely love Zovirax and I regret all the years I suffered with cold sores, spending hours researching home remedies and over-the-counter products, when a simple call to the doctor for a prescription was the answer. It is truly a life-saver when it comes to cold sores. Whether it is applied at the first signs of a cold sore or even after bumps and blisters have begun to form, it will zap my cold sore in 24-48 hours. In addition, it does not "dry out" the cold sores which many medications do; shrinking the blisters, but leaving a very hard scab that cracks and bleeds. Zovirax also has something in it to relieve pain and itching. In most cases, if Zovirax is applied during the tingling stage the cold sore does not develop (like Abreva). If it is applied after blisters have formed, it shrinks the blisters overnight and relieves all the redness and irritation surrounding the sore. I have never had a cold sore for more than three days when using Zovirax. The one down-side to using this medication is the cost. A 5 gram tube of Zovirax retails at about $120.00 and is subject to a higher co-pay with insurance because there is no generic equivalent available yet.

Answer 3

Certain factors may make you more susceptible to cold sores, including stress or too much exposure to the sun. If your immune system is weakened by another condition or illness, it may also make him more likely to contract cold sores.

You can help prevent cold sores by making sure you eat a healthy, balanced diet and gets enough sleep. If you have a tendency to get cold sores, applying sunblock or lip balm on the mouth before you goes outdoors and it may help reduce the chances of an outbreak.

Answer 4

I have this problem too! I have been getting big ugly painful cold sores ever since I was a little kid.
I have tried all that junk that she is talking about and it doesn't work for me.
I finally went to the doctor and he gave me the prescription Valtrex. It is wonderful and I always have it on hand. I just take 2 when I feel the little "tingle" come on and it never pops out.
This medication is prescribed to individuals who have genital herpes but I don't care, it works great on cold sores.
Trust me, I feel her pain. Good luck with this.

Answer 5

There isn't anything that you can do to prevent outbreaks. There's too many factors that can lower the immune system which therefore causes an outbreak because your body can't keep the virus at bay. Be careful taking any herbal medications because they're not regulated by the FDA.

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Answer 6

perhaps she keeps getting them due to weather conditions, wind sun for example try a thing called blisteeze to keep the lips moist and not dry and cracked. hope this helps they are not very nice to have merry xmas

Answer 7

put pepto bismol on the point of breakout the moment you feel the onset.

Answer 8

She should use Abreva as soon as she feels it coming on.

Answer 9

Echinnacea tablets might help.