Confession/fact: I get nasty cold sores on my mouth randomly. The real ones, caused by the herpes simplex virus 1. And I have one creeping up on my top lip, 3 days before I leave for Vegas.
Ohhh... RPatts. RPatz? RPattttzzz?
It's ok.
And before you start getting too worked up and grossed out, I'm not trying to make this a TMI session. More of an FYI (oh Lord, the acronyms!) and a way to air my frustrations with life.
Anyway.. I inherited this wonderful trait/gift from my mother, who is also plagued by epic cold sores the size of Mt. Rushmore (ok I'm exaggerating, but they get really bad). Most people, like all those pretty folk on the Abreva commercials, get a milder version of a cold sore; dry patches of skin on the corners of their mouth or uncomfortable spots on their lips, but I have never once seen any one of them with a 'real', hardcore cold sore the way my mom and I get them (I guess you wouldn't really want to see that on a commercial though, would you?). I guess you could say they sort of look like a fever blister, but they're not. They look ugly and are incredibly painful to boot.
Dear Abreva: My cold sore and it "healing fast" does not make me want to snuggle with my sweetie.
I know others share this sentiment.
I only discovered Abreva about 2 years ago, and figured that it better be good for $19.99 per small 1oz tube. And yea, it worked better than Orajel or anything else I had used thus far, that's for sure. But it was no cure-all, and I've been stuck with these suckers for at least a week or two every time I get them.
About two months ago, I mentioned on Twitter how they need to make stuff that actually treats these 'real', painful, itchy, gross cold sores. In comes WishfulLayla and kjpugs, 1. making me feel better in knowing that I'm not the only person suffering from these babies, and 2. suggesting I get a scrip for Valtrex.
Hmmm. Never thought of that before. Conveniently, I had a doctor's appointment soon after, and that sucker was still on my upper lip. And naturally, the doctor noticed, and mentioned Valtrex and that they also have prescription creams to put on the cold sore/blister/what-have-you. Amazing. It can allegedly get rid of the shiz on my lip in just 2 or 3 days.
The best part? I was totally not embarrassed to go to my pharmacy and place/pick up the prescription. I knew what it's for, and I was freaking excited to possibly have something that would minimize the time and pain that goes with said cold sores. Unfortunately, I have to put all this medicine up to the test now. Like I said, I'm going to Vegas in 3 DAYS, and I would rather not be all dressed up in my cute dress and heels with a monstrosity on my lip. Gross.
So.. wish me luck!
(How many ways did I reference the cold sore? Let's see.. plague, grossness, baby, sucker, shiz.. trust me, you don't want these monstrosities.)
PS. Layla also mentioned the Mario Badescu drying lotion that you can get at Ulta or Sephora.. nasty smelling pink liquid stuff that is good if you don't have a scrip for something, and it dries up and shrinks the cold sore (or zits!) pretty quickly. Thanks, lady!
3 comments:
:( Hope it dries up in time for Vegas! Josh gets cold sores from stress and it's never fun. Luckily he hasn't passed them on to me and I plan to keep it that way.
Hah, please do keep it that way. Scot has managed to stay safe as well.
And thanks!!
I got the generic valtrex daily pill for the wedding month and it was amazing! I now have a few mini doses in the medicine cabinet and when I feel a tingly coming along - I take two of them right away. I haven't had a cold sore in forever now!!!
And I hate Abreva. Stupid horribly expensive cream that does nothing. Nothing.
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