Cold Sore???

Does it tingle? Look like a blister? If yes, then it's a cold sore.

If you don't have time to go to the Dr. Abreve does work...its is RIDICULOUSLY expensive so keep track of that little tube, it will last you for a very long time!

Cold Sores SUCK!

You can get them anywhere around your mouth. If it starts to look like a blister, then it's a cold sore. Put some ice on it. That helps. Then alcohol. You can try abreva now, but you have to get that on right away and it's really expensive.

It could be a cold sore - or same strain of herpes simplex. Outbreaks can occur even on your forehead, between lip and nose or on your chin. I would call your doctor and ask for Valtrex and a little cortisone cream. While Valtrex should be taken as soon as you feel the spot tingling, it can still make the outbreak shorter and milder, especially if you take a double dose now. And because you've already started, the cortisone can tone it down some. Try not to touch it or play with it, wash your hands every time you do touch it, or use a qtip to apply anything to it - they can spread. Sorry, could be stress of the season that brought it out, or the wind.

Brooke has it right.. Expensive yes but Abreva does work - my husband used it with much success (thank fully I have not had one in a long itme (knock wood!).

Well I would get into a dermatologist. Because herpes virus is usually on the mouth or lips. When sores that look like herpes are seen on or around the nose, cheeks etc it often is a type of yeast infection. So yeah you need meds to clear it up but there is a good chance it's not herpes. And if you or your hubby have never had herpes then you would of had to kiss or put your mouth directly on something infected in order to get the virus. So again call a dr.

My husbands cold sores stopped showing up on his lips and now show up on the edge of his nose. He uses ice to make it go away faster. The other thing to consider is not letting it dry out too much. The scabbing and cracking lasts longer if it dries out. Chapstick or abreva is helpful for that.

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As for passing it to your child...I did get cold sores from my husband while he wasn't having an outbreak. Because of this and that we both have them we chose when our daughter was born that we would not kiss her on the lips. We kiss her all the time, but on the cheeks and forehead, nose, temples, etc. She still gets lots of love. And because we don't and that some of the grandparents get them, we simply said no kisses on the lips from anyone. The grandparents didn't seem to understand, but they passed it to my husband, so I guess it's not unexpected that they would disagree.

Yep, they can pop up around the nose and mouth area -not just on the mouth. If this is your first one, you may want to see your doctor so you can go ahead and get the "good stuff" -AND get it documented that you have them. I say this because when on vacation or whatnot, most doctors will call in a prescription for Valtrex or Acyclovir cream if you feel one coming on. I will also tell you that I was having an awful time with outbreaks (primarily due to high stress) about 12 years ago. I took a prescription of Valtrex daily for an entire year, and I've only had maybe 4 since then! It really works!

Stress is usually the biggest culprit in bringing them on, but a diet high in beans can also contribute. Beans are fantastic for us, but it's a thought! Be VERY careful around your kids and don't touch it. They are highly contagious and can be really dangerous in young children.

Cold sores are just one type of reaction from a family of related viruses in the herpes family, which includes sores around the mouth & nose, the genital area, the eyes, and so on. They can occur anywhere but often where an area is irritated or moist or both. If you've had a runny nose, that area of your face could be irritated or affected by the stuff in your mucus.

The only real thing you can do is prevent them by boosting your immune system nutritionally. Lots of fluids once they occur, but not much else. There will be things marketed that contain a singular nutrient or vitamin - but one vitamin does nothing, and trying to nourish yourself with one or two isolated elements doesn't work. Wastes money and can put you in more trouble than before. As a nutritional consultant, I see people spending a lot of money on stuff that just makes things worse. You need a balanced and comprehensive supplement in liquid form, ideally a powder that you mix in water vs. something pre-mixed and sold in liquid form (it loses potency the longer it sits), and definitely nothing in a pill form which is only minimally absorbed. Happy to help with more info if you want, but it's not going to be a quick fix for this current sore! Most viruses take a week or so - whether cold sore or cold or whatever.