cold sore creams

Moghead

Hi, not sure if this is the correct forum, apologies if it isn't. Mods if you know of a more suitable board for this query could you move it please?

I was just wondering if anyone has used cymex cream for cold sores and if they think it is better or more effective than zovirax/generic aciclovir creams?

I had a cold sore last week and went to the chemist to buy some Acic cream as I usually would when I get an outbreak. I enquired about cymex and the person serving me said that cymex should be used to clear up the scab from the cold sore after using aciclovir for 4 to 5 days first. I've checked the cymex website and couldn't see any mention of this. Would anyone know if the person I spoke to in the chemist was correct? Thanks.

Kurtosis

Moghead wrote: »

Hi, not sure if this is the correct forum, apologies if it isn't. Mods if you know of a more suitable board for this query could you move it please?

I was just wondering if anyone has used cymex cream for cold sores and if they think it is better or more effective than zovirax/generic aciclovir creams?

I had a cold sore last week and went to the chemist to buy some Acic cream as I usually would when I get an outbreak. I enquired about cymex and the person serving me said that cymex should be used to clear up the scab from the cold sore after using aciclovir for 4 to 5 days first. I've checked the cymex website and couldn't see any mention of this. Would anyone know if the person I spoke to in the chemist was correct? Thanks.

I can't comment on whether Cymex is better than aciclovir cream for cold sores as I don't get them myself. Aciclovir cream has been shown to be effective at shortening the duration (by aprrox 1 day to 4-5 days duration) and limiting the progression of cold sores, particularly when applied early:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1548234/
http://aac.asm.org/content/46/7/2238.short

Cymex has antiseptic and moisturising ingredients in it (http://www.nhs.uk/medicine-guides/pages/MedicineOverview.aspx?medicine=Cymex%20cream), so while it may not clear a scab, it is likely to prevent it from drying out and reduce the chance of secondary infection, so the scab may clear quicker.

Vorsprung

As penguin has done, can we stick to evidence bases for the efficacy of both products as opposed to personal experiences.

Cheers!

Pawwed Rig

There is a cream that I use that was prescribed by my doctor. Now I am not going to mention the name per boards policy but a visit to your GP might be beneficial if the over the counter ones are not working for you.

Moghead

penguin88 wrote: »

I can't comment on whether Cymex is better than aciclovir cream for cold sores as I don't get them myself. Aciclovir cream has been shown to be effective at shortening the duration (by aprrox 1 day to 4-5 days duration) and limiting the progression of cold sores, particularly when applied early:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1548234/
http://aac.asm.org/content/46/7/2238.short

Cymex has antiseptic and moisturising ingredients in it (http://www.nhs.uk/medicine-guides/pages/MedicineOverview.aspx?medicine=Cymex%20cream), so while it may not clear a scab, it is likely to prevent it from drying out and reduce the chance of secondary infection, so the scab may clear quicker.

Thanks for the information.

siochain

many keep them at bay by taking lysine