Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The terrible tickle

I felt the terrible tickle yesterday morning. Cold sore! I can't help but think this is somehow linked to the flu shot I got last week. Most people who get cold sores (herpes) have recurring episodes at the original point where the virus entered the body. Mine usually occur at the point where the nostril begins at the base. This leads to having a three day booger hanging out right there oozing and yellow. Quite unsightly. People don't say things but I catch the kids pointing and tugging on mommy. Most people will contract herpes in their lives, I believe it's something like 75 % by the time they reach 50. I didn't get it until I was in my 30's. So when I started feeling it murmuring beneath the skin, I chugged a couple of lysines* and waited. Then another lysine every couple hours. This will usually shorten the skin storm and indeed this morning, I can feel it waning. I'll still get a scab, but I'll have avoided the bubbling oozing pus part. It just occurred to me that this is probably even grosser than a poop post.

* Lysine is not proven to reduce the herpes cycle, but in my experience it works VERY well.

31 comments:

Rick Bettencourt said...

Thank you for sharing. (I think.) I'll remember this if I ever get an oozing pus-filled booger-like thing growing underneath my nose.

I'm glad I didn't get the flu shot.

Anonymous said...

I get a flu shot every year and no it doesn't cause me to have a cold sore. I like how you put a disclaimer at the bottom like on a TV ad. Your results may differ. It isn't as gross as a poop story or as much fun to read about. Does Serge get the nose sores too? Word Verification: strop ed

TED said...

Cold sore outbreaks are most frequently brought on by stress, I believe.

lattégirl said...

Any astringent will dry up a cold sore (perfume, rubbing alcohol, etc.) and keep it from getting to the disgusting, stomach-turning OOZING stage.

A Lewis said...

What is this strange sore to which you refer????????/ I've never had one. Except for those horrible zits as a teenager. Ugh. I'd suggest vodka or Jack Daniels's for the sore, I guess.

Snooze said...

Get a prescription for acyclovir. it's a godsend. In lieu of that, like Mainja recommends, ice at first sign of tingle and use Abreva. But I've taken Lysine too with good results.

Enemy of the Republic said...

I stopped with the flu shot. I get sick afterwards and I still get my yearly bronchitus or pneumonia. All those years of smoking cannot combat that shot!

Lacey said...

Hmmm. Poop, or bubbling oozing pus. I'll take the poop, for a hundred, Alex.

dpaste said...

If I get them, I get them on my upper lip. Mine usually don't ooze, though, they just scab up and feel icky. And no smooching for at least a week. Foo.

Mel said...

I've been getting them since I was a kid (Thanks, Mom!) and seem to be almost constantly on the verge of another recrudescence (your $0.50 medical term for the day). The current one has been smoldering right at the surface for weeks now.

I've had fairly good luck with the Abreva, but you have to put the shit on every 3 hours or some such, which is a bit of a challenge if you're not OCD.

Anonymous said...

Ah, jeez. Gross.

Sorry to read about your ailment.

Anonymous said...

I just scrolled down your last few posts. I'm sorry to read about the late Sara. What a great dog she was, based on the pics I've seen.

Patricia said...

Nasty, nasty, nasty descriptions. Errr, I mean, I hope you feel better soon.

Rox said...

I'll take a shit story any day over a herpes story! lol

Anonymous said...

Only just a "tad" grosser than a "poop" post. I don't know if I'll have that doughnut now with the custard that oozes out that little hole. I'd knock on wood, but then fear that something like a "recrudescence" would occur.

Anonymous said...

Oh, THANKS, AFOD...I hadn't made any connection with Bavarian creme donuts 'til YOU mentioned it. Ugh.

Meanwhile, delightful little post from you, Monsieur Torn...how does one say "sick f*ck" in French? Nice to see you getting back into your groove.

The Wisdom of Wislon said...

oooh sore mmm nice don't squeeze it now :>)

Anonymous said...

No...the poop is grosser.
3 of our 4 kids get those things too. I have managed to escape their unsightly wrath for 44 years now. Knock on wood.

GayProf said...

I hope it clears up soon.

ME said...

When I started reading this post I was going to suggest Lysine. I've been getting cold sores since I was a kid and lysine is really the only that helps. I even have my son taking a daily dose to prevent them.

Anonymous said...

I didn't know you got cold sores. I've not ever had one...yet.

You made it quite...um...vivid.

dantallion said...

Lol - man, that was vivid. I swear, you're Blogdom's equivalent of "High Definition". lol

Doug said...

I'm not sure if your commenters are helpful or harmful.

I hope your lysines and any other treatments you use (I liked Lewis' ideas) are quick and effective.

Java said...

eewwwwww

Adam said...

I don't believe anyone mentioned using CARMEX on cold sores. Carmex will keep the cold sore scab "moist" so that it doesn't get crusty and hurt. It also contains an mild acid which helps remove the top layers of skin allowing the new skin to appear more quickly. And it feels good. Perhaps you've tried it already. I get my cold sores around the base of the nose also (thanks Dad, LOL) Do they sell Carmex here in Canada?

travelling, but not in love said...

I'm suggesting YSL touche éclat to hide the damn thing if nothing else. In fact I recommend it for everything.

Works well on my morning after panda eyes....

dpaste said...

Ack! The power of suggestion. Last night before going to bed I felt the terrible tickle!! I DO NOT want a cold sore this weekend.

Anonymous said...

An old folksy rememdy you may want to try. Clove bud oil also known as oil of clove. It is proven to be anti bacterial, anti viral, and anti microbial. I have have used for everything from sinus infection (inhaling the fumes), tooth aches and infections (diluted on a q tip) to warts (full strength on a g tip). It will burn like hell for about 2 seconds then go numb. But it does the trick every single time. P.S. the warts never come back either, after paying 200.00 to have them frozen off twice. At most health/new age stores for about 14.00 for a small 1 oz. or less bottle.

Anonymous said...

I must be one of the freakish 25% since I've never had one. At 43 (Soon to be 44).

I also don't get sick like other people. It's weird, everyone around me will be hacking up a lung and I'll be just ho-hum.

Did get some pretty wicked allergies to the tree and grass group though.

I think I get it from my dads side of the family. I can't ever recall any of them having the flu, being sick, or what have you.

Anonymous said...

I feel your pain but I also use Lysine and then a friend that gets cold sores bad (poor thing) suggested going to the doctor to get Valtrex.......have never had once since.....

Earl Cootie said...

I've gotten the stress-triggered upper lip variety all my life. (Old Christmas photos of me and my brother are a hoot. We've always got cold sores from the stress of the impending trip to the cranky grandparents' house.) When I feel the tickle, I start slamming aspirin at the maximum recommended dosage. If I catch it early enough, it's sometimes defused. But when it's not defused, I am reminded of one of the advantages of a big, booshy moustache.