If she's never had one before, keep an eye on it. Primary outbreaks can be gnarly.  When taken early, antivirals like Valtrex might shorten duration.  I only use it if I keep getting new ones (as in, get a cold sore, it starts healing, another one pops up) or if I have newborn babies.  Otherwise they're just a cosmetic issue, a contagious inconvenience, and a literal pain.

I find abreva is more useful than the other topical stuff.  I dedicate a lip balm/vaseline tube to outbreaks (and then toss it).  I also take oral l-lysine if I know I'm going to be under and extended amount of stress (my main trigger).

And tell her to not touch it.  Lots of hand-washing.

Quote from: nameless on November 15, 2013, 12:34:01 PM
I'm PA/TNA and have used Abreva just fine. You can call the manufacturer and ask --- they usually have call in lines. Else --- get the pharmacist to call, they'll do that for you

Thank you for the response!:)  So good to hear that someone with PA/TNA has safely used Abreva.  Makes me feel much better!  Getting ready to run to the store to grab it and I may call manufacturer just to be sure.  Thanks!!

I'm PA/TNA and have used Abreva just fine. You can call the manufacturer and ask --- they usually have call in lines. Else --- get the pharmacist to call, they'll do that for you

Thank you so much for your response!

I will keep a look out for the Morgan's.  Looking at our local pharmacy, I see Herpacin, Campho, and Abreva.   Would you think Abreva or Herpacin (it also contains Lysine) would be safe for PA/TNA?  Ingredients do not indicate anything but am worried about her putting something on her lips without knowing for sure!

Also worried that this is her first and her immune system...

I get them occ and in fact have had two in just the last few months (stress, I'm sure) after not having one in the last few years.

The last one about a month ago, I was in the pharmacy and found this:  Morgan's Lysine Lip Balm.  It worked really fast to heal it up, like nothing else I've tried.  I was surprised.  (I've tried Abreva)

My dad swears by lysine pills -- that it prevents cold sores in the first place, but I haven't jumped on that band wagon yet.

My dd is PA/TNA and she thinks she may have a cold sore.  (she called me from school but I haven't seen yet).  She is 17 and this would be her first.  I get them occasionally starting when I was a child and have been so thankful that she hasn't since they can be so contagious.

My question is does anyone else deal with this and what treatment do you use?  Worried about ingredients in things such as Abreeva.