Anti-herpes medications and how to use them.
Feverblisters (cold sores, herpes labialis) are caused by one of the Herpes simplex viruses, and once you have the virus, you cannot get rid of it. Now I said ONE of the Herpes viruses, this does NOT mean you have Herpes!
When you feel one coming on (usually by a tingle on your lip), take Tylenol, as much as the bottle states you can, for your age / weight range (usually 2-3 tablets every 4-6 hours for an adult). What causes the feverblister to come out - is your body heat, so this is why it's imperative to keep tylenol in your system. You can also take a tablet of ibuprofen every 6 hours to work on the inflammation part of it.
Keep yourself cool, and well hydrated with water, or juices that are full of Vitamin C, and get PLENTY of rest!
Also, it is CRITICAL to keep yourself OUT OF THE SUN, the heat from the sun beating on your face or your lips will increase your body heat, and make that feverblister grow like it's on steroids! And although there are lots of ointments, creams, and other lip therapies that claim to help, it's best to keep your lips dry - ointments and other creams, balms, concoctions etc many times do nothing but cause more feverblisters to break out - because the virus spreads through the ointment!
1) Tylenol at first 'tingle' - and throughout
2) Ibuprofen with tylenol
3) Keep yourself cool, hydrated and rich with Vit C
4) Keep OUT of the sun
5) Avoid ointments etc, unless you find Zovirax (helpful for some folks)
Acyclovir (same as Zovirax) orally and topically works for me and my wife. He gets really bad ones. An dosage of 200 mg 5x/ day for 5 days always works great. We've had some reall honkers get started and as soon as we start taking the Acyclovir the sores stop, they don't get to the blistering stage. The cream helps too, but not as much as the pills.
To help prevent them it;s very important to stay healthy. Eat right, get enough sleep & lots of water. Avoid the sun and stress.
6) Dab the feverblister after your face care in the morning, and before bed - with a cotton ball that has rubbing alcohol on it - to keep the feverblister dry - and free of any bacteria etc, from when you brushed your teeth and washed your face. . .
7) L-lysine that you buy in the vitamin section of your local drug store, or health food store - taken as a supplement can oftentimes prevent breakouts during susceptible times (huge times of stress etc).
Herpes call it what it is its herpes.
Vitamin C and keep it clean and keep yourself hydrated.
herpes like other viruses cant survive a strong immune system. So you might find treating by cleaning the spot
before bed and then again after you care for your teeth
there are some over the counter treatments like carmex
and oil of clove that make it less painful. Ask the doctor for the possible treatment thats strong enough to keep it under control.
I have been plagued by those nasty things since childhood and have tried many many things. The best, number 1 thing you can do is keep a tube of Abreva on hand. Always have one within minutes reach (ei. one at home and one at work, etc.) . ASAP after you feel the first tingle, pain, bump, apply the cream. And not just on the spot but around the area of it too. You know how big these things can get, and its already spreading under your skin. Rub the cream all the way in, but gently. And again and again as much as you can remember., regardless of directions. If you miss that first window, (feel it during night but are too sleepy to get up and apply cream) GOOD LUCK. You can still stop it , but likely it will grow somewhat. Yes, stay away from sun and any unnecessary contact w blister, as in dont eat any hot wings. The cream isnt cheap, but wouldnt you pay $15 to save several days of pain and embarassment? Also, 1 tube is good for 3 or 4 blisters.
I use Abreva at the first tingle. If it is more intense or I feel unwell, I take Valtrex. My doctor prescribes it for occasional use. You've got to catch it at the first sign. The blisters sometimes come in batches. I'll get three sets in a couple of months and then none for quite a while.
Sometimes I wake up and see that I already have a blister. It's too late for Valtrex, but I use Abreva. You can try the other suggestions. They aren't going to make it worse.
I've been having them since age 14, go years without any. I'd forgotten about L-Lysine until recently. Just added it to my other supplements.
Sometimes I feel sick and achy with cold sores, usually they seem to have no effect on my general health.
If you are getting them all the time, you can ask your doctor for the daily Valtrex pill. I've considered it but really don't want to take another maintenance medication.
It is very likely that you will have fewer and fewer as time goes by.
