cold sore cream - Any alternatives to Zovirax?

Lugh_Chronain

How much does it cost? I just checked Google products and says £4.49. Is that how much you paid?

Toothsmith

Fenistil IS very good.

It's active ingredient is Pencyclovir, as opposed to Acyclovir.

Acyclovir is excellent if you start putting it on at the 'tingley' stage, before the cold-sore appears. But if you miss that stage, then it's effect is much reduced.

Pencyclovir is still best if you catch the tingle, but it is still very effective if you don't.

Pencyclovir is much newer though, and dearer. It also doesn't have as good a shelf life, so some pharmacists don't like stocking it. Like Acyclovire, it can be prescribed by a Dr or dentist if you are exempt from prescription charges.

Beenie

As I said earlier, I haven't tried it myself but look what these people are saying about clearing up cold sores cheaply and effectively. That's why I posted the tip - trying to be of use to the OP !

http://www.tipking.co.uk/tip/5983.htm

Lugh_Chronain

Beenie wrote: »

As I said earlier, I haven't tried it myself but look what these people are saying about clearing up cold sores cheaply and effectively. That's why I posted the tip - trying to be of use to the OP !

http://www.tipking.co.uk/tip/5983.htm

Hello and welcome to TipKing

I am sorry to say that the page you are looking for has moved or been deleted.
Not to worry just click here to go to the home page an browse the thousands of helpful household tips

Lugh_Chronain

I know you’re trying to help Beenie and I'm very grateful. I'll search TipKing at some point and have a look for myself to see what they say about what you've pointed out.

I must say though I'm a little cynical about alternative treatments such as these as they can be quite hit and miss. Saying that I do like TipKing and have used this site quite a few times in the passed for different things around the house, etc.

e.g. have a look here re TipKing tips

Thanks Beenie

amersall

i use surgical spirit, dries them up and pain free, scent works wonders too (not perfume spray) not long before they have gone

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK

Lugh_Chronain wrote: »

I just found this one in ASDA's for £2:



And this one in Tesco for the same price:



Though it says Waitrose do one for £1.59. I'll check it out sometime later in the day.

Thanks every one!

I was going to recommend this, but you already found it:)

Personally I find it clears cold sores up for me far quicker than Zovirax, You can ask your doctor if he will prescribe it for you if you're on a low income, I find mine gives me more than double the prescription cost and if you don't open it until you need to use it as it lasts a very long time. It also depends on how often you need to use this stuff though.

But they hurt like hell when they break out fully.

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK

briggers wrote: »

my pharmacist gave me one called Fenistil and I thought it was amazing,....far better than zovirax which is expensive and didn't really work for me at all

I find Zovirax doesn't really do much for me either. I have used a good quality essential oil Tea Tree in the past which has helped but I still go for the aciclover first always.

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK

amersall wrote: »

i use surgical spirit, dries them up and pain free, scent works wonders too (not perfume spray) not long before they have gone

I have never heard of this being used. How long does it take for the cold sore to heal using surgical spirit? I can see it drying it up but not doing much else really, unless Toothsmith has any comments on this?

Toothsmith

Alcohol doesn't really do much for cutting down the length of time the thing is present. It's not antiviral.

Some people swear by it, like many remedies, but there's no science behind it.