Question:
So here is my dilemma: I am having a very bad cold sore outbreak (blisters ALL OVER my lips) and it is extremely painful to leave them dry :(. I tried putting Aquaphor (a lip ointment) on them and it helped at first to soothe the pain, but eventually every time I put it on, my fingers would come away with more pieces of shed skin? or blisters?, I'm not sure :confused:. It felt like salt had been poured on my lips. This would make my lips even more raw and putting the Abreva or Zorivax on would burn even more.

So today I stopped putting it on except where my lips touch (this is the one area where there are not many blisters). The rest of my lip area is basically completely covered with dry blisters or skin and feels very hard/dry to the touch. Should I leave it like this, or is it okay to moisturize over the Zorivax ointment that I use? The Zorivax is also not absorbing very well, I am assuming because the skin has dried.

Anyway, any advice would be very, very appreciated! I have only had one outbreak before and it was nowhere near this bad (only confined to one area and not painful).

(I noticed the bumps on Saturday and started putting Abreva on Sunday. On Tuesday I went to the doctor and she gave me Zorivax, but I wasn't able to get it until yesterday. Nothing seems to be helping the pain much.)

Answer:
Hi there. I'm sorry you're having such a rough time. I just got over a severe outbreak myself. First thing is to make sure when putting on any ointment that you are not directly putting your fingers on your mouth. You could spread the virus to your hands. You can use a q-tip or tissue to apply the ointments. I use Aquafor daily but during my last outbreak I used Vitamin E oil to help with the dryness. I was told that Vitamin E had healing qualities. I buy the little capsules and cut off the tip and put it on a tissue then apply it to my lips. I hope this helps and you get better really soon.

Answer:
I too am overcoming a full top lip inside and out and a couple on the bottom.
I could not whilstle or even sing to try and make myself feel better.
What I have tried for the first time and am so relieved with it's efficiency is "Melissa Officianalis" aka Lemon Balm.
I bought it from the pharmacist in liquid form. You dab each blister with a new cotton swab. It stinks but immediately dries the blister.
Dab aswell with a new cotton swab for each the Zovirax cream.
My outbreak scab is finally collapsing after one week.
Try the Melissa and let me know please if it did help and work for you. I am hoping with this treatment this will be the first and last total lip OB.
Take care,
D

Answer:
OOPS, it does not stink it STINGS. It will help you get better fast too.
Bye,
D