I’ve had outbreaks my whole life, but it wasn’t until last summer when I was stressed out of my mind did I start getting them super recurrently. I had to go on a preventative prescription trial for a month before they finally calmed down. Since then I’ve gotten them a handful of times, but a couple days ago I got some in my nose and I finally found a routine that kicked their ass so quickly I’m in shock.
Here to share so it can possibly help others:
-I started taking L-Lysine supplements because I talked to my doctor and read studies of how it helped shortened cold sore duration. I usually take them at first sight and then for a week or two after they go away.
-OTC Abreva for the SECOND I notice they’re forming. I do it like once every hour and a half after that.
-My doctor knows what’s up and doesn’t always make me go into the office if I request a valtrax/ valacyclovir prescription to fight cold sores. My college health nurses have been giving me 4 pills and I take one in the morning and one at night for two days.
-APPLE CIDER VINEGAR!!! I think this was the missing piece of the puzzle. I grabbed some apple cider vinegar, soaked the head of a q tip with it, then just rubbed it on very gently. It stung just the tiniest bit (and smelled awful) but I literally watched my cold sores go from the early stage to the scabbing stage in 24 hours and I think it was the vinegar.
I’ve done all of these things on separate occasions as well and nothing was as quick to heal as the cold sore outbreak I have right now.
Comment if you have any questions!!