Question:
I have had simplex I (cold sores only) for I dont know how long....10 yrs maybe?? I'm 30 now by the way. I have recently had an outbreak. I have (on average) one every 8 - 12 months (sometimes more, sometimes less). My question is...like everyone else here, what works best for ppl out there? I dont think I have enough outbreaks to be on some sort of regular prescription medication. I have used Abreva in the past, three times actually. The first two worked real well (or so it seemed), the last time not at all! I have also read up on Novitra, which is completely different and is zinc based. Havent tried it yet, but wondering if anyone out there has had experience with the two of these and if so what your reactions have been???

On a side note, I'm also wondering about another thing. In regards to these two medicines.....if the cold sores have already progressed to the point of blisters on the lip, what should you do then? should you pop them, or let them pop on their own? additionally once they have broken (or i guess even before) should I continue to use either one of these medicines or let it "dry out" and just heal or will they help even after this point???

Thanks in advance.

J.

Answer:
I am new to this. I am having my first oral outbreak. I read to put fresh cut cloves of garlic on them at the first sign, tingling itching. Well I did it and they dried up right away. I put it on them several times a day and they scabbed over in one day. Now I just have a crusty lip. I am itching on my face in a few different places and it is turning red and raised. I am also putting garlic on that area too. I am keeping the lips moist with Vitamin E oil and it helps with the pain. I dont have any bleeding going on and I think its because I'm keeping the moist. I upped my lysine intake to 5000mg per day and upped my garlic suppliments too. I got blood work done today to see what type I have. I thought I was gonna have a genital outbreak because thats were the symptoms started , tingling, but I am still clear down there. Its been 33 days since exposure and it took 29 days to have an oral outbreak.

Answer:
BTW I wouldnt pop them, you might cause infection or spread the virus. Let them do their thing. I would think the crusting process allows them to heal by protecting the skin underneath and prevent futher spreading.

Answer:
Novitra works pretty well

Answer:
so "Believe"...you think Novitra works well? you've had cold sores before and it's helped?