Cold Sores - Pompano Beach,FL

I used to often get cold sores. They are caused by a herpes virus. One cause for having them is having had chicken pox, tho you can be first infected in other ways. I had chicken pox. Many years ago a friend wouldn't even let me hold her baby because I did get cold sores from time to time, even if I didn't have a cold sore at the time. Her sister was a medical intern and said that they are most contagious before they break out.

I asked my doctor and he said it was safe to hold the baby but to be on the safe side not to kiss her on her face and hands. He said babies do have a high resistance against catching cold sores and he wouldn't be concerned if this were his babies but but agreed that I needed to honor the mother's boundaries.

I have kissed many adult lips while having a cold sore and no one has gotten a cold sore. I don't kiss babies or children when I have a cold sore just to be on the safe side. Most mothers request this anyway. I stopped being concerned about cold sores or their being contagious many years ago after doing research and reading. I suggest you google cold sores and read up on them

I got cold sores all in my mouth when I was only days old after birth. They are a normal part of my life and I do not see them stopping. Vitamin E is great for stopping them and helping to clear them away fast. I worry about the same thing. But my kids are 10 and 6 and thank God they do not face what I have all these years. I hope this helps to know that you are not alone.

My ex-husband had horrible cold sores and was able to greatly diminish his outbreaks by taking a lysine supplement. He also reduced his intake of peanuts/peanut butter...it is a source of arginine which can cause flare-ups and he was particularly sensitive to it.

I wanted to let you know, I feel exactly the same as you do. I started getting these in my early 20's got them from a boyfriend. I hate them so much! I do not want to accidently give my girls the same thing so I am cautious not to pass it onto them. I do everything to avoid outbreaks and when I do get one I take Zovirax (Acyclovir) to help them heal quicker. It is the same prescription for genital herpes. I was prescribed over 10 years ago and I think they do not prescribe them anymore. But it is worth it to check out. If I am feeling run down or a tingle like one is going to come out I take the Zovirax (Acyclovir).

In Europe the generic Zovirax (acyclovir) cream is available over the counter. Whenever I go there I pick up a few tubes. I have had cold sores since I was about 6 or 7 and I am now 49. It seems the virus loses strength as I and it age since I get less and less outbreaks. My kids nor husband have them. I find that the Zovirax when put on at first tingle often stops the blisters from developing at all, and if they do show up, they are much smaller and clear up faster with the cream. It is available in the USA but only by prescription. It is not cheap, about $38 per tube on my plan, while the identical size tube in Europe is about $6 (3 grams of cream).
It may be available via those Canadian pharmacy sites for less money. I swear by the Zovirax and also Blistex creme in a tube to keep the lips moist.

You can ask your doctor or dentist for a prescription for Valtrex. I keep it on hand, and the minute I feel that tingle, I take one. My sister starts taking hers a day before her period should start, because that always brought hers on. Me, it's any type of stress, including being in the sun. I also use abreva on the tingly spot.

Cold sores and chicken pox are not related, except that your immune system is compromised when you have chicken pox and you are more likely to shed the virus (pass it on to someone else). You can shed the virus even when you don't have sores. Your best bet is to ask your doctor about Valtrex, it suppresses the virus in your system and you are less likely to pass it on.
Abreva is a great topical remedy to shorten the duration of cold sores, too.

I applaud your conscientiousness. Cold sores -which are in the same family of viruses as chicken pox, but not the same thing- are very easily transmitted. Sharing drinking glasses, chapsticks, kissing, etc can pass the virus. Keep up the good work!!!

oh my goodness, do I feel your pain....right now I am suffering horribly, ok, maybe not horribly but you get my point. Went to the beach this weekend and did not suncreen my lips and am paying for it dearly right now :-( Anyway, I have three kiddos and they have never had an outbreak, neither has my husband. Obviously while experiencing an outbreak, I don't do any kissing (it hurts too bad!) but during clear periods, I don't withold kisses :-) Glad you posted this question, I have never gone past OTC meds but now may check into the scripts that several have mentioned because these several times a year breakouts are no fun at all!

I too have had them as long as I can remember. I believe they were transferred to me via my parents blood stream. It's viral, so it's transferrable through birth as well as physical contact. My boys are 6 and 8yrs old and they have both gotten it once or twice, and I HATE feeling responsible for it, but I believe they too got it through my bloodstream during pregnancy. It stinks that it's permanent. I do have a Valtrex prescription as well. When I feel the tingle, I try to take some Lysine and then I immediately put ice on the area, it sort of chases away the virus a little bit. I really wish it would go away forever...good luck keeping your kids safe, atleast they're not dangerous, they're just annoying ;-)

Super Lysine. Perfect.