Embarrassing problem I am SUPER nervous about

hoan0203

Since I was a teenager I have been struggling with cold sores. It is so embarrassing! I absolutely hate them. Every time one comes I just want to hide in my house until it goes away. I don’t even want my FI to see me. I usually get about 4 or so a year. I thought I was getting better since I hadn’t had once since October but sure enough I woke up this morning with a lovely red bump on my lip- GROSS! I am so nervous that I am going to have one for the wedding. I know stress is a trigger and I am sure I will be stressed leading up to the wedding. I have tried everything I can think of- abreva, Lysine pills, ice cubes, other creams, etc. Nothing seems to work for me. I know it is embarrassing to ask but do any of you have advice on how to deal with this or ways to avoid them? I have never been able to successfully cover them with makeup but would a make-up artist be able to if I do get one the day of? I don’t want to be embarrassed with how I look on the most important day of my life!

kelseymw

I understand how you feel. It is embarrassing, especially because most people don't understand that the type of herpes that cause cold sores is carried by a ridiculous amount of the population. (I think I read it was somewhere around 60%?) I have only ever had one in my life and I had just started dating a guy in college and he seriously freaked out on me, thinking I must be some wh0re because I had "herpes." Oh, immature boys.

Anyway, with something that bothers you this much, definitely see a doctor. My mom gets one about once a year (usually from a lot of sun exposure...?) and a prescription cream knocks it out quickly. It isn't expensive and it'll be worth it to ease your mind. Other than that, I don't know of any home remedy as my mom really tried everything to no avail before seeing a doctor. 

genahubbard

Cold sores are caused by a virus. There is a pill called Valtrex that can help shorten the duration of the virus. Go to the Dr & talk with him/her about it and see if he/she thinks it might help.  Here's a link with more info on Valtrex:
http://www.drugs.com/valtrex.html

Also, STRESS is a HUGE contributing factor to cold sores and any herpes infections. People who have had chicken pox (a herpes virus) who go thru copious amounts of stress often develop shingles.
 
If stress is an issue for you, try to find more ways to manage it. Meditate, exercise, try yoga, blog, journal, spend time with friends, change jobs if possible, learn to express how you feel instead of holding it inside...those are just a few suggestions to help with stress.

I hope you find a solution. Good luck!

lmp_dk

I know that there's a compeed thingie kinda like a small band aid that fights the virus and covers up the blisters so it won't be noticable.. I don't know if it's available in the US though.

hoan0203

Thanks for the suggestions! I think I will make an appointment to talk to a doctor and see if there is anything more I can do. I do have a really stressful job so I think that is a huge part of it. Hopefully I can learn to manage my stress a little better.

Does anyone know if a make-up artist will be able to cover one up with make-up if I do by chance get one for the wedding?
Thanks!

kblynne

I get them about once a year, but as soon as I'm afraid I'm going to get one (it always happens in the fall), I take the HUGE CVS brand L-Lysine pills every night and put abreva on it before it even starts. I've noticed a HUGE difference every year after I started that.

LaceyMK

Ditto to Valtrex. My mom has terrible cold sores and Valtrex does the trick.

mliptak

Yes, the Valtrex works wonders.  I get cold sores a couple times a year so I just keep a prescription of Valtrex on hand so I can treat as soon as possible.  I am also a pharmacy tech and see Valtrex used all the time for cold sores.  Valtrex now has a generic so it makes it more affordable.

louisagelfuso

Hi there,

I don't get coldsores but my sister does and I always felt so bad for her. She's had them forever.

She's found that if you buy either Lysine supplements and take one to two a day, or buy a topical treatment it heals them quickly.

If you know you are able to tell when you are getting one start using the topical treatment before the sore comes out, and it won't.

here is a link to a great product: http://www.walgreens.com/store/catalog/Medications-and-Pain-Relief/Lip-Clear-Lysine-%2B-Cold-Sore-Treatment/ID=prod19500&navCount=0&navAction=push-product

Good luck, and don't stress. You'll be fine, and beauiful on your big day!

susandoss

I agree on the Valtrex. Get a prescription and, hey even take it the day before you wedding jsut be sure! :-)

OH and I got one the week of my 1st wedding..... luckily it was on my liponly and i was able to wear some red lipstick to cover it. NO one could tell in the photos, but our wedding kiss sure was awkward! haha

vannacamm

I so understand how you feel. I actually just got one from wedding planning and I hate leaving my APT. I am soo worried about my wedding day.
One thing I know you can do and I am going to do it take Acyclovire (sp) for the whole month leading up to your wedding. Ask your DR for a prescription.

It works and will hold off those NASTY red Cold soars.
Good luck on your wedding!

kathrynbrns

For over the counter...use Lysine...my future mother in law gets cold sores and that is what she takes. She is a RN so I trust her advice.

Jensel9

Hello!  I am so excited I saw your post today.  HSV type 1 is the herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores.  Valtrex is an antiretroviral that stops the virus from replicating (ie. will stop it in its tracks!).  Ask your doctor for 30 1 gram tablets of Valtrex (valacyclovir NOT acyclovir) and begin taking one a day about a week before your wedding as prevention (save the other pills for another time).  Don't bother with creams, Valtrex will do the trick.  

Good luck!

willbehis91710

I get them also about a few times a year, and this worries me but I try my hardest to prevent them. I HARDLY drink orange juice anymore. I am not sure why but they say the acid can cause them to come. Since I have stopped I have not had one. (knock on wood) I also bought this chapstick type stick called herpacin? It seems to help. I really hate to say it but only IF it does get big enough I pop it and put the medicine on. Gone usually in 2-3 days. Also, don't touch it and if you do make sure your hands are clean, and I would not suggest using make-up to cover it, it will only irritate it more.

eowynfate

Agreed with what everone has said.  I've had similar problems, and therefore for the last couple of weeks leading up to my wedding I'm taking a lysine and a zinc supplement EVERY DAY, just to boost my system.

I also have a prescription pill AND cream on hand, just in case.   Both are Zovirax instead of Valtrex, but I have had great results.  Not sure why mine is a different prescription than some, but I'm allergic to penicillan so that might be it.

Luck!

wondergirlseattle

Jensel9 is right on.  Get valtrex and take one a day before the wedding. I always have a prescription of Valtrex on hand and take it at the first sign on a cold sore -- that tender tingle you feel on your lip.  Then it never blisters and just goes away before it's noticable at all.  But for your wedding, go ahead and take preventively. 

Valtrex is the key.  There's no reason to suffer through cold sores any more!

jlmoore88

VALTREX!!! 

I get cold sores as well and that is what I take.  My doctor and I have agreed on a plan to start taking it daily 2 months before the wedding to act as a preventative measure.  Otherwise, I normally have to take it whenever I have an outbreak.

Schedlue an appointment and talk with your docto about your concerns.  More than likely, they will understand your problem and will be more than happy to work with you. 

Again..  VALTREX! 

wesleyanne

Someone has probably already answered this for you, but here is my advice. I get cold sores all the time too, and I am also nervous about it for my wedding in June! I have gotten fewer within the two or so years though (I used to get about 4 a year too). It has been better for me I think because I keep Vaseline on my lips constantly and I take plenty of vitamins. If I feel one coming on, I immediately start on the antibiotics (Acyclovir, which your dentist should just be able to call in for you), put Vitamin E on my lips, and start taking Advil to reduce the swelling. I know how tough it is. I just recently got over one that I know was caused by all of this wedding stress. I hope this helps and good luck!!

ebmargit

Yup, I get them, too.  I've been getting them since I was a kid, and it's nothing to be embarrassed about!  99% of the US population carries the virus, and yes, it's triggered by stress, menstruation, all kinds of things.

First of all, you need to see a doc and AT LEAST get Zovirax (acyclovir) cream to speed healing and prevent spreading.  Abreva, Lysine, etc. do not work.  You can also take Zovirax or Valtrex (or their generic alternatives) as daily suppressives or at the first sign of a cold sore.  They both work to shorten healing time and keep them from coming back.  A doc won't normally let you take them as suppressives, though, unless you're getting cold sores all the time (like once or twice a month).

And, as I just found out, if you're traveling to Great Britain anytime soon, Zovirax cream is an OTC treatment there now.  Huh.  Wondering why they can't make it OTC in the US.  It's not like you can overdose on a cream!

So, in short:  Put your money into a doctor's visit and prescription meds and stop wasting it on the Abreva/Lysine snake oil industry

Good luck!  And hope your wedding is as stress-free as possible!

Victoria62185

We always used Bag Balm- it was made for cows with sensitive udders but works miracles. Every time my mom felt a cold sore coming on, she'd put it on immediately and it never developed. If she was too late putting it on, it was always gone within 1-2 days of her putting bag balm on it. We also use it for chapped lips and for chapped/bleeding nipples from nursing. It kind of has the consistency of petroleum jelly and is about $5 for a 10 oz jar but it lasts for EVER. I've had the same little container for at least 5 years because you don't need to put very much on there. I just did a google search for "Bag Balm" and found it sold in several different stores and different sizes so you might want to check it out. I know a lot of people who swear by this!

kels32683

I've been getting them ever since I was a little kid and the ONLY thing that has ever worked is Valtrex.  They actually have a generic form of the drug now (Valacyclovir) so it's much cheaper!  There are also two different doses of the drug available.  There is one that you can take daily for prevention (100mg?) and another that you can take when you feel a sore comming on (500mg).  Talk with your doctor about which one works for you.  I've always just done the higher dose rather than the daily.  It's cheaper that way!  Just a note, ask them to give you 30 pills if you get the higher dose.  Usually you only get about 12.  I've tried creams in the past, but all they did was make the cold sore spread to other parts of my lip...yuck!  Good luck, and try to stay calm! 

ejpaz

i know how u feel! It seems like everytime there is an important event in my life i get a cold sore! Its also embarrassing bc ppl automatically assume its  sexually transmitted herpes when in reality its herpes simplex which is completely different! I used to get them a lot as a child and then went years without one. Then I randomly started getting one almost every month. What stopped mine was Valtrex and Acyclovir (which is the generic form and much cheaper). I also started taking 1,000mg of Lysine and zinc. Getting a topical cream is essential as well. My doctor gave me Mupirocin 22grams. This combination is key! I also started used Carmex as my chapstick everyday and I haven't had one in almost 8months! If you do get one it is also important to throw away your toothbrush and any lipglosses u used around the time u got the cold sore. My doctor helped me realize that this was possibly why they were reoccuring so close together. I def agree the key is to use the products right when u get the tingling sensation.  Hope this helps! I'm sure you will look amazing!

kaelmnop

When I read this I was hoping that you had the same problem I do... but alas, you do not. My FI gets cold sores often and he takes the same medicine they give out for herpes at the first twinge of one. It usually knocks it out quickly, and the sooner he takes it, the better. But, the medicine is a prescription and I can't remember what it's called.

As for my problem... when I come in contact with anything related to alcohol (beverages, hairspray, perfume, sanitizers) my chest, neck, arms, and shoulders break out in a rash. I can do away with everything alcohol related for myself because I buy alcohol free products, but I am positive that the first time I hug someone with perfume or hairspray that I will turn blotchy. Can anyone help? Benadryl helps a bit but it makes me so tired. I don't want to be a blotchy mess on our big day!

LindsayH14

Be sure to start using creams before they start.  If you feel even a bit of a sore there.  That's when you should be slapping on the cream.  Good Luck.

smatlin

Don't forget that the photographer can also erase any signs of your cold sore from your wedding photos. Good luck!

Kate1212

I take valtrex for cold sores! I got it from my dentist and you just take one when you feel the tingle and then another 12 hours later. Works like a charm. He also prescribed this topical cream called denivir. With that combination, I haven't had a cold sore in years! Good luck!

lynnerstrom

Valtrex works like a charm, but can give you a wicked wicked headache, so take the advice above and hydrate hydrate hydrate when taking it.

Also, I have noted that not only stress or being run down can bring on a cold sore (hard to avoid those 2 things when you are so busy in the final weeks and days before the big day, but do your best!) but also trauma to the lip.

If I get a bop on the lip, (like holding a friends baby, who threw her head back and bonked me on the lip) it seems to activate the virus.  Wham -  I get a cold sore right away when my lip gets "hurt".  Also, the same goes for spicy food.  If I eat suicide wings or get seriously spicy indian food on my lip I get a cold sore right away.

Suggestion, if one of those things happen to you, start taking Valtrex right away because its hard to tell if the "tingle" is from the injury/spice or a cold sore forming!

Better to be safe than sorry.

cuppatea

I don't get cold sores as often as I used to, but when I do they are not only embarassing but irritating, as well.  I have found only one product that works--and it works fast!  I have only seen the drug store brand, so I don't have a real name for it.  It is a topical antiseptic.  The one I usually buy is from Walgreen's; here is a link to view the product page.

http://www.walgreens.com/search/results.jsp?Ntt=cold+sore&x=0&y=0

It's the second product listed.  It burns like hell, but it is extremely effective.  I swear by this stuff!  It dries the sore, while killing the virus.  You might want to give it a try even before seeing your doctor, to avoid the cost of the trip.

I hope this helps!

tiffanybellamy

You can go to your local walmart and buy a vitamin called L-Lysine. Its natural immunity and lip care health. I get cold sores a lot and that vitamin helps to keep you from getting them or if you already have one it will shorten the duration and severity of it. I work at a doctors office and the nurse here actually recommended it to me!! Best wishes!!!!

AMplusSK

If  your insurance won't cover Valtrex, ask for acyclovir. It has been generic for a long time, and is on the $4 generic lis (the 200 mg strength). It will also work.

nefariousmango

My sister used to get them all the time, and someone finally reccomended she change toothpastes.  Of all things, she found an all-natural brand that works and she hasn't had a cold sore in years since swtiching!  I have no idea why it worked for her, but it may be worth a try!