I was wondering if anyone could recommend any herpes treatment options out there. I know there is valtrex but this requires a Dr visit which I might have to wind up doing. I get fever blister outbreaks when I'm really stressed out and this is a problem when I have to work. Does anyone have any non prescription treatments that are as good as valtrex or will I have to end up making the appointment.
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H&R Moderators: streaM Freak
Herpes
- Thread starter cellab
- Start date
Kittycat5
Bluelighter
Only thing worthwhile OTC is abreva and that only shortens duration by maybe a day.
Freon
Bluelighter
Well the trick with abreva is to put it on at the very first sign of a cold sore, but I don't feel that's realistic haha.
dankplantgrower
Bluelighter
Some people swear by L-Lysine for cold sores but Ive yet to try it. I found a tip from a beauty magazine that works pretty good to keep it small, or at least keeps it from getting bigger once its there. Get a cotton ball and saturate it with acetone, nail polish remover works too. Get one end as pointy as you can and get it wet, and hold it on the cold sore for 5 to 10 minutes. You should start to feel that tingly sensation that you get when cold sores on your lip get big and uncomfortable. Hold for at least 5 minutes, I hold it for a little less than 10 minutes until it almost starts to burn. Once/if I feel the slightest burn I take it off, and wash my mouth off. Keeps them small and way less noticeable and theyll be gone in a couple days instead of a week.
You may have to redip the cotton ball to keep it saturated a couple times. Make it as pointy as you can and try to apply only to the cold sore, do your best to avoid touching the surrounding smooth lips or else that skin dries out too and gets red, making the cold sore more noticeable. After 1 or 2 tries I got it down near perfect. I havent had one of those big swollen embarassing sores in a very long time thanks to this trick. You still have a tiny little cold sore that people may notice but its better than those big old tingly ragers that everyone stares at.
Please note I do not have genital herpes, just the viral variant that causes cold sores. I wouldnt go about putting chemicals into those open sores that full blown herpes sufferers sometimes get on their face.
Valtrex stops cold sores dead in their tracks and is really the best option hands down. Sadly many people dont see doctors due to embarassment/access/insurance etc. I recommend trying your absolute best to get at a doctor for a Valtrex prescription because cold sore scarring around the lips is permanent and very embarassing as you get on in years. I got it from my mom as a child and have a bit of scarring, not terrible or anything but its there and I dont like it. My mom is almost 50 and she has a permanent white ring around her mouth plus decades of scarring, hate to say it but its very visually unappealing, thats putting it nicely. Just relaying my experiences, good luck.
You may have to redip the cotton ball to keep it saturated a couple times. Make it as pointy as you can and try to apply only to the cold sore, do your best to avoid touching the surrounding smooth lips or else that skin dries out too and gets red, making the cold sore more noticeable. After 1 or 2 tries I got it down near perfect. I havent had one of those big swollen embarassing sores in a very long time thanks to this trick. You still have a tiny little cold sore that people may notice but its better than those big old tingly ragers that everyone stares at.
Please note I do not have genital herpes, just the viral variant that causes cold sores. I wouldnt go about putting chemicals into those open sores that full blown herpes sufferers sometimes get on their face.
Valtrex stops cold sores dead in their tracks and is really the best option hands down. Sadly many people dont see doctors due to embarassment/access/insurance etc. I recommend trying your absolute best to get at a doctor for a Valtrex prescription because cold sore scarring around the lips is permanent and very embarassing as you get on in years. I got it from my mom as a child and have a bit of scarring, not terrible or anything but its there and I dont like it. My mom is almost 50 and she has a permanent white ring around her mouth plus decades of scarring, hate to say it but its very visually unappealing, thats putting it nicely. Just relaying my experiences, good luck.
Foreigner
Bluelight Crew
Lemonbalm (melissa officinalis) tincture. No need to bother with anything else. Seriously. Take it when you feel the early signs of a potential outbreak. It will probably even work when an outbreak is already in progress. Make sure the tincture bottle says that it's at least 1:3 (1 part herb to 3 parts alcohol). Some companies are cheap and do 1:5 so you get practically nothing. If you know a local herbalist, even better. If rising cortisol levels (from stress) trigger your outbreaks, then you may want to consider supplements that cut blood cortisol levels, like holy basil (tulsi), rhodiolia, and ashwaganda.
You'll need to really watch your diet if you want to avoid outbreaks. Diet and stress are the two major triggers. In the diet category, foods high in caffeine, grease/unhealthy fat, high sugar or high salt can all cause outbreaks. Chocolate is another major culprit. Each person with herpes needs to study their triggers. Some people have food triggers that others don't.
L-lysine in heavy amounts is good for the initial outbreak. I don't find that it works well in sequential outbreaks, according to the many people who've come to me about herpes.
You'll need to really watch your diet if you want to avoid outbreaks. Diet and stress are the two major triggers. In the diet category, foods high in caffeine, grease/unhealthy fat, high sugar or high salt can all cause outbreaks. Chocolate is another major culprit. Each person with herpes needs to study their triggers. Some people have food triggers that others don't.
L-lysine in heavy amounts is good for the initial outbreak. I don't find that it works well in sequential outbreaks, according to the many people who've come to me about herpes.
TriputoryHeadicine
Bluelighter
^ Great advice as usual, but one noteworthy thing to add.
Coconut oil, 1-2 Tbsp daily. Extra virgin. The coconut oil is high in lauric acid, which converts to monolaurin in the body, a powerful anti viral and antibiotic. It's incredible, I haven't had an outbreak since I started this regimen over a year ago, actually i have, but it never developed. Along with Lemon Balm tea I feel confident those little uglies won't be coming around to stay.
Coconut oil, 1-2 Tbsp daily. Extra virgin. The coconut oil is high in lauric acid, which converts to monolaurin in the body, a powerful anti viral and antibiotic. It's incredible, I haven't had an outbreak since I started this regimen over a year ago, actually i have, but it never developed. Along with Lemon Balm tea I feel confident those little uglies won't be coming around to stay.
skitsofrantik75
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2014
- Messages
- 79
Fever blisters hate cold, so the first thing I try to do when I get the first tingles is put ice on it your lip will get pretty cold so you'll have to do the on off rotation. ice in itself wont stop it but it will slow it down. I ALWAYS use white vinegar on a q-tip or cottonball, after a few seconds it will start to burn but it will dry up one that's already started and even help with the first tingles. A dab of tooth paste also helps.
Tim
Tim