Cold Sore Advice!

Abreva works pretty well to lessen the duration but you have to use at the first sign of a cold sore developing.  It's expensive but worth having on hand if you are prone to cold sores.  I have used Campho-phenic (sp?) in the past also and had some success.  Good luck and stop picking (that only makes it worse).   

PS. My DD doesn't get cold sores but a type of fungal infection in the corner of her mouth on occassion in which case Lotrimin has worked well in ending the actual inflammation so make sure you have a cold sore and not "cheilitis'.    

I have used campho-phenique in the past on cold sores - it's an over the counter medication.   

 Our orthodontist recommended something that hurts like the dickens but really works fast.  You get a powder called Alum from the grocery store spice aisle and put a bit of the powder right on the sore, scream, cry, grip the sink edge for dear life, leave it alone, don't lick (or try not to) and in a day or two, it's gone.  It works wonders for canker sores inside the mouth (like the ones from braces) too.  But man, the pain is unbelievable.  But if you need it gone in a hurry, it's worked faster than anything else for us. 

Is it a cold sore or canker sore?  They are totally different.  I know WAY too much about canker sores.  The only thing I know about cold sores is that they are a herpes A viral infection.  Don't give oral sex (sorry if that's TMI, but just sayin'....). 

I use blistex (the blue one) it seems to work.  Salt directly on it also works, it will HURT! but it works!

I have never had a cold sore at the side of my mouth.  I am always very paranoid not to let food touch the edges of my lips lol, ie. chips and such hehe

rredbird

Abreva works pretty well to lessen the duration but you have to use at the first sign of a cold sore developing.  It's expensive but worth having on hand if you are prone to cold sores.  I have used Campho-phenic (sp?) in the past also and had some success.  Good luck and stop picking (that only makes it worse).   

I used to get cold sores all the time but rarely get them these days. I do carry Abreva with me and it's true it works but you really need to start applying it at that first tingly feeling for it to work the best. I also carry Camphophenique (sp?) with me and if you apply it every hour or so, it seems to help it heal faster and helps with the itchiness and/or pain.

Carmex ointment also works and it is cheap.  It comes in a tube like Blistex or Chapstick and also comes in a little pot (like you'd find cold cream in, but small).  It doesn't burn either.

I just got back to this post now....and I think I'll run out and try this Alum, since it doesn't seem to be going away on its own. I stopped picking at it but now its just to the point where its annoying. 

I've used Abreva before too, and it works well. A little bitty tube is expensive but worth it.