Cold Sore General

Question:
I know this was a thread about a year ago, but since there's so many new users here these days, I'd like to get some opinions and/or advice.
I get a cold sore about once a year. Usually not till winter, but, mine came early this time around. Yay. I was wondering what other people do to help cold sores heal? I so totally despise cold sores. Yuck. Ick. Gross. And, for me, they last about a week. Annoying
My doctor gave me Denivir(sp?), and so far, it's not done very much for me, then again it's only been 2 days. I also have no patience for cold sores... can you tell?
Also, some people told me this is a myth, others told me it's fact. Should you throw out any lipsticks or make-up that touch your lips when you have a cold sore? I don't put anything on my lips when I get one, so I don't have to throw lip balms and such out, but... I'm curious now.

Answer:
I know, cold sores are the worst! There isn't a whole lot you can do to make it go away faster, There is a new over the counter thing that's supposed to speed up healing (the name escapes me at the moment), but if Denivir isn't helping you, then I really doubt the over the counter stuff will be all that helpful. For any of the medications to be effective you really have to start taking them as soon as you feel the tingle, before the sore even forms. Once the sore is there, the meds can't do much, it just has to go through the normal healing process. I have had good luck with Zovirax when taken right when I feel one coming on, if you get it early it can prevent the sore from forming at all! yay!
Prevention is really the key with cold sores. I recommend taking L-lysine twice a day, a lot of people swear by it to keep cold sores away. You should take extra during times when your stress level is high or you are ill, anything that might trigger a cold sore.
I know how that goes. I have found the best thing to do is keep it moist with some like Carmex or Lip Medex or your balm of choice to keep it from cracking and to make it feel better and then just leave it alone!!! If you just let it heal (don't touch it! no picking!) on its own, it will do so quicker.
It's not likely that you'll re-infect yourself, but it is possible so to be safe I'd keep the lipsticks away. I use the little pots of lip balm, and as long as you don't touch your lip and then put your finger back in the pot, there shouldn't be any problem. I recently read an article that said you should also throw out your toothbrush and get a new one after the sore heals!
Cold sores are hell! I remember one time when I got three at once! ugh, it was horrible and it happened right before I was to leave for vacation to Europe!

More questions: