So for the last week I have been sporting my very first cold sore of my life. I realize now that I have always been a bit proud to be a person who doesn't get cold sores. Maybe I was snotty, I don't know. Both my husbands get them, so I was especially glad to apparently be immune. And I struggle with canker sores so it seemed an even trade. However now I am not so sure.
Last week I got a bit of a sunburn on my lips from the Moab trip, and last Tuesday my lip became irritated. Wednesday I woke up to find a huge swollen lip with a big sore on it. At first I just couldn't believe it. I spent too long researching if it could be anything else. Because, I DON'T GET COLD SORES. How could this be happening to me? It really felt and looked like someone punched me. I am not 100% sure that someone didn't.
According to the internets... it is very common to have a sunburn bring on a cold sore, and probably I already had the virus it just hadn't demonstrated itself yet. Also, they say that probably most all people have the virus, they just don't all get cold sores. Weird.
Last week I got a bit of a sunburn on my lips from the Moab trip, and last Tuesday my lip became irritated. Wednesday I woke up to find a huge swollen lip with a big sore on it. At first I just couldn't believe it. I spent too long researching if it could be anything else. Because, I DON'T GET COLD SORES. How could this be happening to me? It really felt and looked like someone punched me. I am not 100% sure that someone didn't.
According to the internets... it is very common to have a sunburn bring on a cold sore, and probably I already had the virus it just hadn't demonstrated itself yet. Also, they say that probably most all people have the virus, they just don't all get cold sores. Weird.
So the thing about cold sores is they hurt, they are super ugly, AND unlike canker sores, everyone can see them. I am not a fan... at all. The problem is that because it is on your lip, it never gets a chance to heal properly. It is either getting wet from food or drink or saliva or it is getting stretched out from the mouth opening to eat or talk, or laugh (which I am trying to avoid). I really wish I had been documenting it with photos so I could totally gross you out with the progression. Right now it is in the phase of being a red scab that cracks and bleeds when I try to eat. I am so sick of it. Asia says I could hide it with blood colored lipstick or lipstick made of blood. But she also wanted to pick it off, so she is just gross. I kinda wanted to pick it off too, but it is no use, it just grows another one. None of the remedies help. I think the only thing that will help is talking about all the gory details.
Did I mention that I am really sick of it? How long do these stupid things last anyway? I am starting to think I will have it forever, which I am just thrilled about!!! Besides even if it goes away, whats to keep me from getting another?
Just thought I'd share, aren't you glad I did?
I think I'll go get some heart shaped ice, maybe that will make me feel better.
2 comments:
I started getting one once, and someone recommended I take some L-Lysine I think? And it went away. I'm not sure that is the right stuff, and you may have to take it really early on, but I just had to share my very vast and comprehensive knowledge with you. hope it goes away soon.
Demi,
If you want advice: read on. If you don't, please disregard this comment.
I KNOW about cold sores. I never got them until college and mine was induced my tanning (fake sun). I once even got one that ate my face (it was on my lip climbing up to my nose and one giant one inside both nostrils and climbing back down to my lip. Horrendous! and sorry TMI).
So, here's my advice:
*L-Lysine is good as a supplement to take every day to avoid getting them. Once you feel a cold sore coming on you can take like 5-6 pills on an empty stomach two or three times a day to shock you body and then lessen the dosage until it goes away.
*I like to topically apply tea tree oil or peppermint. They both feel wonderful and act as antiseptics and dry out the cold sore so it stops growing sooner and scabs faster. But DON'T apply the oils with your finger. Use a q-tip. I learned this the hard way when I got a cold sore under my fingernail!
*Grapefruit seed extract. Nine drops of this stuff in a glass of water as often as you like. This stuff kills almost every virus and is literally my liquid gold, but it doesn't taste very good.
*And my favorite remedy is to not get stressed or angry. Both of those emotions tend to bring out cold sores.
Oh, and PS the first one in a new area is the most painful so chances are that if you get one again it won't hurt as bad or be quite as big. Sorry and good luck
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