Polysporin® Cold Sore Healing Patch

My overall rating

I feel really badly for those writers who had such a terrible experience with the Polysporin cold sore patches. I'm wondering if maybe these are not a good idea for those who get really serious, frequent outbreaks? Like another user, I only...   +

I feel really badly for those writers who had such a terrible experience with the Polysporin cold sore patches. I'm wondering if maybe these are not a good idea for those who get really serious, frequent outbreaks? Like another user, I only get a coldsore about once a year (thank goodness), but it's always a really bad cluster and lasts forever. Nothing has ever worked to reduce them in serverity or duration - and to be honest, these patches were no differnt in that regard. I actually have a permanent, slightly red patch of skin above my upper lip - scar tissue from years of getting cold sores in the exact same spot. :o( This time the outbreak was at the corner of my mouth - very odd - and really bad.

By the time I went in search of the patch, the cold sore had already errupted, so I'm not able to comment if it would really reduce outbreak time if applied at the first tinglings like the package recommends. Nothing has ever done that for me - not even Zovirax.

What I DO LOVE about these things is the coverage. I have a really big, ugly cold sore right now, and my colleagues said they didn't even notice! (they're all women - they would tell me the truth). My husband said it's much nicer to look at the "patch" (which you can hardly see) than the cold sore. I have felt less self conscious about it than ever before, and love the freedom of movement I have. Usually the sores hurt so badly that I can't eat or drink properly, and even talking can be irritating. But I find the patches soothing.

Also like another user here, I LOVED that the patch gives me some coverage around my children. I am still very careful not to kiss them, but if someone accidentally brushed my lip or something, I'm not in full fledged panic.

I would highly recommend these for people who don't get serious and frequent cold sores. And I'm really sympathetic to others - cold sores are so nasty to begin with - the last thing you need is something making it worse!
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