Cold Sores

**AprilP** · 10-24-2007, 05:08 PM

Help! My mouth is covered in cold sores (fever blisters). I currently have 3 on my bottom lip and 2 on the top. I haven't had them this bad since I was 14. I know I can take Lysine and use Abreva to help heal them, but right now I'm having a serious issue with the pain and swelling.

My lips are currently twice the size of Angelina Jolie's and so sore I talk like Larry the Cucumber (Veggietales).

What can I do for the pain and swelling? I tried ice, but it seemed to make them worse.

**Ceashels** · 10-24-2007, 05:12 PM

ice will help reduce pain and swelling.... have a popcicle

**VanVivCam** · 10-24-2007, 08:43 PM

try hemmoriod (sp?) medicine for the swelling...i know the thoughts is gross, but, I would assume it would help lots

**YankeeMom** · 10-24-2007, 10:16 PM

I would be very wary about putting hemorrhoid cream to your lips.

Ibuprofen will bring down swelling, but it will take a while. I have to second the Popsicle idea. When I have them really bad, ice works too.

I finally had an episode like yours & got fed up. I went to the dr & got some prescription cream and I put it on as soon as I feel one coming. They either don't erupt at all or are so extremely small and dry out very quickly. Not only that, but after a few uses, I find I don't get them nearly as much anymore. It's very worth it to me.

**frugal-fannie** · 10-25-2007, 06:46 AM

you might try the numbing gels for adults or babies for teething. I heard clove oil is also good for mouth pain.

**latierra84** · 10-25-2007, 07:58 AM

i feel your pain.. i can never seem to get away from fever blisters either and they seem to last a very long time on me.

**ktsmama** · 10-25-2007, 09:13 AM

I would try motrin or ibuprofen for the pain and swelling. I also try to hold a cotton ball soaked in alcohol on mine about once an hour. This seems to start drying them out so that they start healing faster.

I used to get fever blisters like you are describing about once every three months. I mentioned this to my Grandmother and she said hers were the same way until her Dr. told her to start taking L-Lysine. You can get it were the vitamins and supplements are sold. I have not had a fever blister in the two years I have been taking it!!

Good luck.

**frugal-fannie** · 10-25-2007, 09:48 AM

I forgot to add not to eat chocolate or peanuts , this can cause them. But i get them from just being out in the sun.

**SammiesMammie** · 10-25-2007, 11:33 AM

This might sound crazy, but you might try a used tea bag..The tanin in tea helps to heal cold sores, and reduce swelling.

**Jaded** · 10-25-2007, 01:24 PM

Go to the drug store and buy a bottle of camphor. Not Campho-Phenique, just plain old camphor. Use a q-tip to put it on your lips a few times and it will dry them right up. You can also use plain old chlorine bleach, if you're not going anywhere. It is the only thing that will actually kill the herpes virus. The amount you're swabbing on your lips won't hurt you if you swallow it.

I had cold sores all over my chin once. I use the bleach one night, and they never came back. Use it as soon as you feel a cold sore coming on. Nips it in the bud.

**pita1213** · 10-25-2007, 04:18 PM

kanka makes some numbing stuff that helps with the swelling and pain.

**jacqueline** · 10-25-2007, 04:54 PM

I always take ginormous amounts of L-lysine when I have cold sores. And then actually was getting them so frequently that I started taking one a day and haven't been getting them. Using ibuprofen does help with the pain.
Also remember to keep it moist - I know you just want it to dry up, but if it's dry it will hurt. If you don't have a special (costly) balm or medicine, I put vaseline on mine. Especially at night so it won't crack or bleed.
Hope you get better fast--it's not a fun thing to go thru.