STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Claudia · Gucci

Cold sore

needsfashionadvice · Kate Spade

I think that's normal, if I get one, it can take a couple of weeks at least to go away. Once I exercised when I had one that was almost gone, and it came right back. I think because I got so hot, I'm really not sure how that works but I know it came back. Now I try to stay out of the sun when I have one and I don't do anything that'll make me sweat a lot.

Actually I've also found that for me, being in the sun can actually cause one to appear so be careful of that.

If it doesn't go down tonight, you might wanna make an appointment to see a doctor. The prescription they could give you would make it go away a lot faster than the over-the-counter stuf.

Drew · Gucci

needsfashionadvice wrote:
Actually I've also found that for me, being in the sun can actually cause one to appear so be careful of that.

Ditto that. Also, stress can make them appear.

My coldsores pop up once every several years (maybe 3-5 years) and they clear up completely with OTC medication within 4-5 days. I would definately see a doc for something stronger. I know how embarressing they can be, but you can get speedy relief.

Abreva is the best OTC medication out there, so if you haven't tried that, try it before calling your doc.

luckylily · Gucci

Yeah, once you have one, it doesn't take much for them to flare up again. I get them pretty easily when I'm hot or in the sun, which is why I wear massive amounts of sunblock on my face and reapply lip balm w/ SPF constantly.

When they flare up from being hot, an ice pack will usually reduce the swelling quite a bit.

I agree that Abreva is the best OTC med, but it is really meant for the very first sign of a cold sore. If the sore is fully developed, it doesn't do much. At this point, I'd probably go to the doctor if it is convenient for you.

Deuce · Dooney & Bourke

I have been battling with cold sores for most of my life. Mine are triggered by the sun and stress. I have heard abreva is good, but I have a Rx from my Dr that is great and I take it when i feel one coming on and it shortens it or stops it before it starts. One other thing that I do is Lysine. It is a vitamin that you can buy anywhere. I start taking them as soon as I feel one in it really shortens the healing time and or stops it all together. My whole family swears by the Lysine. I told my friend about it and she swears by it too. Good luck!

halleybird · Hermes

I agree with Deuce -- I have been getting them my whole life, too. I actually have to take daily medication, or else I get them 5-6 times a year. The good news is that only a very, very small percentage of people get recurrent ones. And yeah, it's normal for them to last forever, or to go down and come back. They can be triggered by sun, stress, certain foods, low immune system, etc. I have never had luck with abreva or lysine, but there is a prescription cream (Denavir) that is fantastic.

needsfashionadvice · Kate Spade

Deuce wrote:
I have been battling with cold sores for most of my life. Mine are triggered by the sun and stress. I have heard abreva is good, but I have a Rx from my Dr that is great and I take it when i feel one coming on and it shortens it or stops it before it starts. One other thing that I do is Lysine. It is a vitamin that you can buy anywhere. I start taking them as soon as I feel one in it really shortens the healing time and or stops it all together. My whole family swears by the Lysine. I told my friend about it and she swears by it too. Good luck!

Oh I forgot about Lysine, I take it too when I get one and it does seem to help. Honestly I like Valtrex the best (it's not just for genital herpes, it's for Type 1 herpes too), it makes mine go away super fast, but I do try and keep them around so that I am able to take one right when I feel it coming on.

scarlett · Marc Jacobs

Ditto the Valtrex -- my FH takes one as soon as he feels a cold sore coming on, and it really works fast.

Claudia · Gucci

ok, I have another question.
I've been looking online and it breaks down hold cold sores are from day to day. Well, it says that they are suppose to burst. Does that happen in every case? Mine has not opened. I also read that they are suppose to hurt. Mine doesn't hurt at all. Well unless I put some pressure on the bump.

-- Edited by Claudia at 11:18, 2007-06-23

luckylily · Gucci

Mine don't burst unless I pick at them. And, sometimes they hurt, but mostly they are annoying and uncomfortable.

halleybird · Hermes

Claudia wrote:

ok, I have another question.
I've been looking online and it breaks down hold cold sores are from day to day. Well, it says that they are suppose to burst. Does that happen in every case? Mine has not opened. I also read that they are suppose to hurt. Mine doesn't hurt at all. Well unless I put some pressure on the bump.

-- Edited by Claudia at 11:18, 2007-06-23

they're just like any other blister -- they hurt if they're opened. When they're not open, they just feel big and numb. If it lasts another week or so and doesn't go down, I'd call your doctor.

Claudia · Gucci

ok thank you for the help girls!