cold sores

[splange]

I am 37 years of age and developed my first coldsore roughly five years ago. From then on they used to appear about once / twice a year, until last year when they become more frequent. I am now getting about one every three weeks. Does anybody know why this is happening?

[elleroo]

do you have any stress or have you been feeling run down lately? this could be the cause of a coldsore, apart from the obvious virus. bad news is once you get a coldsore you will get them for the rest of your life. my mum suffers from them and gets them a few times a year, when the weather is cold or if she is feeling ill etc. find the best remedy that works for you, there are loads out there.

[misslideaway]

I suffer from coldsores and sometimes shingles.  I tend to have an outbreak when I am stressed and run-down.  I find that Vit c helps a lot.  Also, if I am starting to feel run down, I take echinacia and multi vits.  Perhaps if it is happening as often as every 3 weeks, you should go to your doc for some advice.

[splange]

Thanks for your suggestions, however, I don't feel stressed or run down.

[ludwig]

I used to get one about every 6 months. However about 7 years ago I started to take a daily multivitamin, and since that time I've had only 2 in total.

[netibiza]

No splange you may not feel stressed or run down but your body will know.  Not much youy cna do.  I've had cold sores  for 40+ yrs and some are very ugly and sooo painful.  Be careful of touching your eyes or body as they are contagious I swear by Zovirax.

[Chillum]

I also suffer, and swear by Zovirax. Strong sunshine also triggers mine, for some strange reason. I'm guaranteed a bosker as soon as we get a nice hot day.

[jcherbstritt]

I get cold sores as well about 3 times a year - usually in cold weather and it does annoy me when people say it's a sign I'm rundown.  Although I agree that maybe that can set them off, I really don't think that's always the case.  But they sure as heck make you feel run down once you've got one!!  I swear by 'soothelip', but have discovered you need to get a fresh lot of creme for each coldsore or it doesn't work as well.  Once every 3 weeks sounds a nightmare though.  You have my deepest sympathy!!!

[scubadiver]

Often a coldsore outbreak can be triggered by a change in temperature - hence the reason many people get them when they have been out in the sun for the first time after cold weather. Also, the first really cold, windy day can trigger them. - A lot of people, myself included, get two or so outbreaks a year, for that reason.

If you are getting them as frequently as every 3 weeks, I would suggest a trip to the Dr to check out the reason

[toecrusher]

mine is a very similar story to yours, but got to the stage where i had a cold sore permanently, after many months of trying every known remedy, started taking Supadryn effervescent vitamin and mineral supplements daily, its a fizzy orange drink, can find in chemists and supermarkets, within days there was an improvement, within 10 days gone completely. Now take the supplements twice a week and have not had another cold sore since last september. (supermarkets have their own brand which are just as good)