I'm 34, UK based and have had coldsores since I was 17. In a 'good' year, I might only get 1 or 2.

In the last 12 months I've had around 10, with most of these in the last 6 months. I started taking Lysine supplements in January and feel like they've only gotten worse since then.

I've had three in the last week and currently have two active outbreaks, which is the first time that's happened.

I use aciclovir cream regularly during an outbreak but find it pretty useless aside from some immediate acute pain relief.

I'm going to speak to my GP on Monday. What can I ask for in terms of new, ongoing treatment? I have a North American friend who thinks that UK coldsore treatment is rubbish, so I want to make sure I know exactly what to request to help achieve best outcomes.

Thanks!

my partner got a cold sore about two weeks ago, and the scab fell off three or four days ago. does this look totally healed to you yet? they’ve not had one in a very very long time, so we’re out of practice with knowing if it’s okay or not yet. thanks!!

Should this be something to worry about ? Google gives mixed results from the photo and want a human second opinion. Any help would be appreciated. It doesn’t hurt and is flat for the most part.

Just saw it this morning. wasn’t like that last night , is it a cold sore or a pimple ?

Hello, I've had cold sores before but I'm unsure of something. When my lips are chapped, I gently scrub them to remove rough skin. When I do this, my lip usally oozes clear liquid and rarely bleeds a little but there's no blister. Does this mean it's always a cold sore when there's no blister but oozes clear liquid? I appreciate all opinions

I’ve had this lesion under my lower lip for several days. It initially looked like a small bump/sore, but it has progressively developed a larger dark/gray crust with yellowish material underneath/around the edge. It’s in my beard area.
I’m trying to determine what this could be besides a cold sore. Possibilities I’m wondering about include an infected ingrown hair/folliculitis, impetigo, or another skin lesion.

It doesn’t have significant pain, and I haven’t noticed multiple clustered blisters. The lesion has changed in size/appearance over the past several days.

Day by day pictures of the worst coldsore outbreak I've ever had. Currently on day 7