Cold Sores - Stifling Punting

[Mr Garmin]

I know that many people suffer from cold sores and they are a real pain.  I can go for many months or even years without getting one but once they start it's not unusual to get multiple outbreaks one after another.  It's not always possible to identify why they happen but I have been able to correlate a lack of cleanliness (touching my face with a dirty hand) with them and also excessive sunshine.

Recently, I had a long standing meeting set up with a very well reviewed girl and fortunately she had to cancel about a week before which is just as well because a couple of days later I got the tell-tale tingling sensation of an impending cold sore.

Those that don't suffer may not know but the genesis of a CS starts with a tingling sensation, usually on the lip, which turns into a clear blister within 24 hours, this then dries up and a scab forms which falls off within about 4 days.  You would think that would be the end of it but a new scab forms that cracks and bleeds.  The whole process takes exactly 2 weeks from start to finish and is horrible.

I have tried various remedy's from creams to patches but once the tingling starts nothing is going to stop the fortnight of irritation.  One girl recommended an anti-viral tablet that you take at the first sign of one and I have tried this but I can't prove whether this actually works for me.

I have a belief that you have to have a predisposition to having them because I can't believe to there is a person on the planet who's body hasn't seen the virus.  This theory is born out by the fact I had a partner of many decades who never got a CS despite contact with me when I definitely would have been infectious.

Of course, the outbreak of cold sores always coincides with touring girls that I want to see being available in my area. 

[coachman]

Yep i can't ever remember getting a cold sore

[RandomGuy99]

Yes, cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), typically *HSV-1*. While this virus can be spread through direct contact (like kissing or sharing utensils), it can also be transmitted through surfaces or objects that have been in contact with the virus.

Once you have been infected with HSV-1, the virus remains dormant in your body, usually in the nerve cells near your mouth. Cold sores tend to break out when the virus becomes active again, which can be triggered by factors such as:

* **Stress**
* **Weakened immune system**
* **Fever (like with a cold or flu)**
* **Sunburn or UV exposure**
* **Hormonal changes (e.g., during menstruation)**
* **Physical trauma or injury to the lips or mouth area**

So, while cold sores are contagious, many people with HSV-1 don’t experience regular outbreaks. When they do occur, they can last a few days to a week.

[RandomGuy99]

What you mention about lack of cleaniness might actually just be causing blocked skin pores around your mouth which look like cold sores but aren't. Try getting some NIVEA Biodegradable Cleansing Wipes Dry and use those to clean the area or give your face a decent clean with soap and water or a face scrub to clean your pores out.

[hairdownthere]

I get cold sores, can go months without then get a few in quick succession.

I mostly get them on the skin surrounding and on my nose, and some times on my lips.  It was the doc who pointed out that the outbreaks on my nose was the cold sore virus - you can get an outbreak anywhere on your body though is most common on the nose.

Causes for me are a weakened immune system, stress and dehydration.

And of course, always happend when I feel a need to punt!

[PepeMAGA]

I've never had one, touch wood, but I've heard good things about zovirax if you catch it early

[catweazle]

I've never had one, touch wood, but I've heard good things about zovirax if you catch it early

Zovirax is very good; apply it literally at the first "tingle" on the lip, seems to halt the progress into a full blown sore.  It's pricey for the size of tube you get but very effective.

[tightfoot69]

Yes they can be annoying. I don’t get them often and when I do I only get one.

I was in Istanbul last year and planned to meet two or three girls. As soon as I arrived I noticed a cold sore developing. Still met a couple of girls but no kissing or going down on them which certainly ruined it.

I would love to visit South America again for some fun with Latinas but do worry a bit that I will develop a cold sore.

[PepeMAGA]

Yes they can be annoying. I don’t get them often and when I do I only get one.

I was in Istanbul last year and planned to meet two or three girls. As soon as I arrived I noticed a cold sore developing. Still met a couple of girls but no kissing or going down on them which certainly ruined it.

I would love to visit South America again for some fun with Latinas but do worry a bit that I will develop a cold sore.

If you don't usually get one, then get one on a specific occasion sounds like stress might bring them out for you?

[wordy]

I don't get them very often but I can highly recommend aciclovir anti viral cream.  Put it on at the first hint of a tingle, and keep applying it a couple of times for a few days and you will prevent an outbreak

[Zalaroon]

Plain old vaseline at the first hint of tingling seems to work just as well as the expensive anti viral creams.

[alabama1]

Plain old vaseline at the first hint of tingling seems to work just as well as the expensive anti viral creams.

A cold sore is a virus. Vaseline is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.