BB FANS

I have a coldsore at the mo (and a horrid cold boohoo) anyone know any good preventative measures ?

don't snog rincey

I've never had a coldsore but my mum gets them regularly and the only thing that she says is helpful is the over-the-counter remedys. I know they're expensive but they do work to shorten the time that you have the coldsore.

If I were you tho, I'd just save my money and wait a few days! As for the cold I don't thinks there's much you can do mate other than drink lots of fluids and keep warm! You just have to let it run it's course I'm afraid! Try hot water with lemon and honey, it's cheaper and just as good as beechams imo

Dab the contaminated area with SAVLON and re-aply as required. Try and refrain from BLOWING your nose, just Dab a lot, then wash the areas on a regular basis.

And keep away from frogs

echinacea is great for making cold symptoms go away (but probably not coldsores, i've never had one but i think you just have to wait for them to go away.)

plus lots of hot orange and lying on the sofa watching DVDs.

get well soon! its horrible being ill

I had a very bad time with coldsores when I was 23. It sounds daft, but they were occurring so regularly, and taking so long to clear up, that I started to avoid people. Eventually a girl in my work put me in her car, and drove me to her g.p. Coldsores are caused by Herpes Simplex virus, and the doctor prescribed Heplex D liquid, for any future coldsore episodes. (At the time I needed other treatments, as I was very run-down).

As long as I got the Herplex D stuff on AT THE VERY FIRST sensation of itch or tingle, it worked. I would not go out without my little bottle! It was my most prized possession. It was on many a foreign beach with me - that's another thing to note, exposure to strong sunlight can also cause a coldsore, even if you haven't got a cold. If you've had one coldsore, the virus remains in your system, so you need to be vigilant!

Zovirax came out a long time after that - an ointment that could be bought over the counter. Again, it's a matter of getting it on as soon as you feel a tingle.

I haven't had coldsores for years. My diet was really bad back then, and that coupled with lack of sleep and stress had my immune system weakened. It's the same with colds, I think. It makes sense to look after yourself a bit. But if you get them in time, there's no need to suffer.

Yes. Zovirax is good, but as you said, you do need to use it as soon as you get the tingle. Cold sores are not nice. They make you feel a bit feverish and horrible. I sympathise with you Cat-Woman and hope that you soon recover.

I agree with what gerbilgranny said. They are caused by the Herpes virus which remains dormant in your body and then appear if you get run down, or too much sun can bring them out. They often precede a cold, but not always.

Chicken pox and shingles are also caused by herpes viruses. Due to the fact that it is a virus, it is something you have to just let it run its course once it's fully blown and can take a while to get better unfortunately.

You just need to look after yourself and get plenty of rest, good healthy food, no stress, a multivitamin and mineral tablet and plenty of Vitamin C rich foods.

Oh - and no kissing boys with coldsores, either!

Good advice

I hope you feel better soon CW!

Hi everyone, thanks for the advice - ive tried zovirax in the past, but as you say you have to use it when you get the tingle. I am now the unproud owner of 3 coldsores and have a lips bigger than donald ducks beak - though thankfully my cold is getting better.
Hippo - you're advice is sound - thanx !!

I am cursed with coldsores!! Im always getting them

Vitiman C is good for preventing. If you ever feel like one is going to pop up take a good dose of vit C in to your system. It will also help get rid of them quicker.

Forget about coldsores - look at the website that Sparrow is telling us about!

Go Russell!

(em, sorry, I've come over all peculiar now... )

Hehe thanks gerbilgranny

Yeah that's my fansite for the lovely Russell Brand. I'm glad you like it, and of course Russell

Are you the new member on the forum by the way?

I am, chicken! - sorry, got my birds mixed up - Sparrow!

If Russell's ever looking for an extra granny, you know who to call!

(Just goes to show ... you never know what a coldsore will lead to! )

Don't worry, I'm sure you will be on the top of the list ffor grannys

Thanks for joining, it's been difficult getting members. A lot of people just come on go. They generally don't bother joining