For the last couple of months, I have been getting a fever blister. After it goes away, another one will pop within a week or two. The last one I had lasted about a good 3 weeks. It was finally gone last week and BOOM, I wake up this morning and have another one in a different spot. I never had them until I was grown and had kids. I have a child that is very prone to them, so I am guessing we're probably harboring the virus and keep passing it back and forth. I have been to the doctor and was given Valtrex to use. The doctor thought that since this is used in the treatment of Herpes that this would help eliminate flare ups within the bloodstream. And I was given Abreva to take topically. Well, that did no good. The valtrex made me very sick, but I took the full course anyway. I have used the abreva in the past and at best, I would say it minimizes the pain somewhat, but that is about it. I have googled and see that there is a variety of things to try ranging from Lysine to other homeopathic items. I am willing to try anything that has been tried and true. So, I guess I am asking for a personal experience from some trusted folks here Here's my questions:

What do you take/use for treatment of a fever blister that has already popped up?

What do you take/use for PREVENTION of fever blisters, i.e. vitamins, homeopathic, etc?

Please tell me your secret, no matter how far fetched you think it is. I can't deal with this anymore and am willing to try just about anything that will work.

***Wanted to add that I know when I get run down and/or stressing that is when I am most susctible (sp) to getting the fever blister. Example, in the last weeks, I have worked 14 days straight and yesterday was my first day off. I felt terrible, my face, neck, and shoulders hurt all day. No other signs of a fever blister coming. Then, I wake up and it's popped up in full force. In addition to working, my mother had major surgery Wed., my husband is very ill, money problems, my daugher broke her eye glasses, my son broke his a day later, my car broke down two different times this week, and of course the normal daily things like laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. So, needless to say, I was a bit run down this week.

I use denavir (RX from doctor)...it cuts it down from three weeks to a week and a half. Also tea tree oil (found in the vitamin area) at the first tickle.

I know how you feel, I get them If I am in the sun to much. I use zinc ... zinc can reduce symptoms and prevent recurrences. It is applied directly to the skin at the site of the flare-up. Lysine also helps... just remember they are contagious, so be careful. If you have more than 6 outbreaks a year, ask your doctor about taking Acyclovir.

__________________
"Madison AnnMarie " 6/13/2008

http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/g...t=8652d1ea.pbr

http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/g...t=adbcb309.pbr

DH and I take lysine and it does help.

__________________
I want to keep ALL of my paycheck and eliminate the pyramid scheme known as Social Security (there is no lockbox ). Do you want the same thing? www.fairtax.org

DH & I both get them. They break out when we are out in the sun too much, get a cold, get stressed out or don't get enough sleep. Our doctors give us a prescription for Zovirax, which is a generic for Acylovir. There are 2 forms. One is a topical cream, the other is pills. At the first feeling of the tingling, you take 3 pills a day for 5 days. It does not keep them from coming on but it shortens their duration. We also use Abreva.

They pretty much suck and there's really nothing you can do once you get the virus.

Lisa

__________________
"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

I use Abreva. and I know mine flare up due to stress, diet and hormones. I have been trying to improve my diet so my last two cycles I did not get any.

I've always gotten fever blisters since I was a teenager. I mainly get them when I'm stressed or sleep deprived. Abreva has always worked for me. The minute I feel one coming on I apply it. I'm glad I finally hear of people that share the same problem as I do. No one that I know gets fever blister like I do. I went 3 years without having one and just last month I was under alot of stress and had two blisters came out back to back....big bummer!!! Good luck and I hope you find a medicine or vitamin that works for you!! If you do, share what you discovered! I'd like to know for future fever blister outbreaks for myself.

Acyclovir (which also comes in an injectable form too) and Valtrex are both antivirals. The blisters are not caused by a fever but by a virus (just like colds). Stress has a tendency to make them reoccurr. If Valtrex made you sick try acyclovir and try to reduce stress if possible. You said your husband is also sick, can I ask what is his illness.