PLEASE HELP ME!!! I am getting married in 9 days and from all of the stress, I woke up this morning with a HUGE cold sore on my lip! When I get them they last for several weeks, my lip swells on that one side up to three times the size, and they get very orange and ooze alot. I don't want this at my wedding and in my pictures. Does anyone have any ideas that could help? Thank you in advance!
There's a medicine called Valtrex (yes, it's advertised for genital herpes - but most cold sores *are* caused by a type of herpes virus) that REALLY works on cold sores. It's prescription so you'll need to call your doctor. But nine days is a long time...you'll be fine by then! Also, the over-the-counter topical medicine Abreva may help a little. Whatever you do, resist the urge to pick the scab, just keep it clean and moisturized. Stress makes these things worse so try to stay calm and you'll be ok!
I agree - call your doctor! Before my wedding, I took a low dose of Valtrex that prevents cold sores (rather than taking a higher dose when you first get a cold sore). I get them from stress too. You may want to ask if you can take it as a preventative for the next month too because if you're anything like me, this won't be the only one before the big day!
Carmax (over the counter) works for me. Also try Abreva which was mentioned by Miss Pearls. Whatever medicine you pick, apply it often to keep it moisturized.
Acyclovir, which is a prescription medication - you can get a prescription through your doctor or dentist. It works better if you take it before you get the cold sore - when you first get that tingly feeling. But it will also help the cold sore you have heal faster. And then you will have it on hand for the next time. I used to get a couple of cold sores a year (usually when I've been out in the sun and wind too much) but since I got the prescription for Acyclovir (four years ago) I haven't had a single one. And you only take it when you're getting one - not all the time - which is nice.
While some of the over the counter stuff will make it feel better and possibly help it heal faster, nothing that's topical can do anything effective as an antiviral, which is what you actually need. If you want to take something as a preventative, Lysine is fairly effective as an intiviral, and is available in the vitamin section at any pharmacy or grocery store.
This sounds strange but take a peppermint tea bag, soak it in hot/warm water and hold that thing against the cold sore for as long as you can. Something in the tea causes the cold sore to shrink.
I also take acyclovir when I feel one coming on. Call the doctor and get a prescription.
But for now, do the tea bag thing. It really works. I know how this is. I had a HUGE CS on my mouth once. It was horribly painful and plain unsightly.
I agree that you should call your doctor ASAP (preferably your dermatologist) who can give you a prescription to help it go away and heal pretty quickly. I found that the healing time was significantly shorter when I did this...GOOD LUCK!
PLEASE HELP ME!!! I am getting married in 9 days and from all of the stress, I woke up this morning with a HUGE cold sore on my lip! When I get them they last for several weeks, my lip swells on that one side up to three times the size, and they get very orange and ooze alot. I don't want this at my wedding and in my pictures. Does anyone have any ideas that could help? Thank you in advance!
Alesha
posted by aleshazeigler 1 posts 5 months agoCall your doctor. Explain the situation and maybe they can help you out.
posted by jma19 364 posts 5 months agoThere's a medicine called Valtrex (yes, it's advertised for genital herpes - but most cold sores *are* caused by a type of herpes virus) that REALLY works on cold sores. It's prescription so you'll need to call your doctor. But nine days is a long time...you'll be fine by then! Also, the over-the-counter topical medicine Abreva may help a little. Whatever you do, resist the urge to pick the scab, just keep it clean and moisturized. Stress makes these things worse so try to stay calm and you'll be ok!
posted by MissPearls 42 posts 5 months agoI agree - call your doctor! Before my wedding, I took a low dose of Valtrex that prevents cold sores (rather than taking a higher dose when you first get a cold sore). I get them from stress too. You may want to ask if you can take it as a preventative for the next month too because if you're anything like me, this won't be the only one before the big day!
posted by tipperella 33 posts 5 months agoI sent you a PM! Don't worry you have enough time to get rid of it!
posted by Krystyli 33 posts 5 months agoCarmax (over the counter) works for me. Also try Abreva which was mentioned by Miss Pearls. Whatever medicine you pick, apply it often to keep it moisturized.
posted by quickbrownfox 36 posts 5 months agoI agree with quickbrownfox. I have had GREAT SUCCESS with Abreva. It usually works in a couple of days for me. Cold Sores SUCK!! Good Luck!
posted by nikkolec 55 posts 5 months agoL-Lysine is a vitamin you can pick up OTC. My mom and sisters all get cold sores and swear by this method.
I'm not sure if it will clear it up, but definitely will prevent more from occurring.
posted by lindsaywillman 25 posts 5 months agoAcyclovir, which is a prescription medication - you can get a prescription through your doctor or dentist. It works better if you take it before you get the cold sore - when you first get that tingly feeling. But it will also help the cold sore you have heal faster. And then you will have it on hand for the next time. I used to get a couple of cold sores a year (usually when I've been out in the sun and wind too much) but since I got the prescription for Acyclovir (four years ago) I haven't had a single one. And you only take it when you're getting one - not all the time - which is nice.
While some of the over the counter stuff will make it feel better and possibly help it heal faster, nothing that's topical can do anything effective as an antiviral, which is what you actually need. If you want to take something as a preventative, Lysine is fairly effective as an intiviral, and is available in the vitamin section at any pharmacy or grocery store.
posted by suzanno 1,955 posts 5 months agoThis sounds strange but take a peppermint tea bag, soak it in hot/warm water and hold that thing against the cold sore for as long as you can. Something in the tea causes the cold sore to shrink.
I also take acyclovir when I feel one coming on. Call the doctor and get a prescription.
But for now, do the tea bag thing. It really works. I know how this is. I had a HUGE CS on my mouth once. It was horribly painful and plain unsightly.
Peppermint tea bag!!!
posted by mmgood 9 posts 5 months agoI agree that you should call your doctor ASAP (preferably your dermatologist) who can give you a prescription to help it go away and heal pretty quickly. I found that the healing time was significantly shorter when I did this...GOOD LUCK!
posted by indecisivebride 80 posts 5 months agoVALTREX!!!! IT WORKS IN 2 DAYS!!! SERIOUSLY I GET COLD SORES TOO FROM STRESS - DONT WORRY IT WILL FOR SURE GET RID OF IT!
posted by jhearta 93 posts 5 months ago