Unlisted Brand • Abreva Docosanol 10% Cream for Cold Sores • Lip Treatments

brio815 on 1/20/2013 3:08:00 PM more reviews by brio815

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

This works if you catch the sore VERY early. Once the sore is there & a bump has surfaced, don't expect much. At that point nothing but time will help. When I feel a tingle I use this and nothing comes up. It's expensive for such a small tube. But, if you're getting a cold sore once a year then this will last. I used past the expiration date.

I had two cold sores when I was very sick, recently. I tried the Abreva patches. That was a waste. I tried the cream. It was too late. I use vitamin E from the capsules & that helped the pain and assisted in helping the sores heal up nicely. Still took 2 weeks to go away. But eh. I'm 31 and have only had actual cd sores I twice. So, can't complain. If you get them more often, see your PCP or derm for a script. You can also try taking lysine!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

nevroth on 1/3/2013 4:17:00 PM more reviews by nevroth

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight   Eyes: Brown    

DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT!! It does NOTHING... NOTHING!! I used to use this product, but then gave up after too many stress induced fever blisters (aka cold sores) caused me much more stress and embarrassment. I searched and searched online, and finally found a remedy that works.

1- Get a cotton ball
2- Get your acetone based nail polish remover
3- Dab cotton ball with some nail polish remover
4- Gently press on cold sore area THE MOMENT you feel it coming.

This has worked for me every single time as soon as I feel one coming. The acetone dries it out or something, I'm not quite sure, but it works that that's all that matters. The unfortunate time I did not have any polish remover on hand (I was at the airport awaiting my flight to Europe), my friend gave me some of her prescription creme to try, and it did NOTHING either. Still suffered with a nasty fever blister on my European vacation. Please ladies, give this a chance and save your money! Only a few dabs AS SOON AS YOU FEEL IT COMING, and it the blister will never appear. I've even dabbed like 10min later for extra security, and again, the blister never appears, the numbness and bump goes away. TRY IT!! I too, have a discoloration scar from a fever blister years ago, and I wish someone had told me of this remedy sooner.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

katrinaQ on 12/31/2012 3:27:00 PM more reviews by katrinaQ

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

--UPDATE--mar. 6

Blistex works on COLD SoREs! :)

I've used blistex for years to treat extra dry cracked lips, but never on my cold sores...Until I saw my husband use it and it worked better than ABREVA!

So I finally tried and it truly does make a cold sore smaller, heal quick, and not develop into the puss stage and peeling/bleeding stage. It soothes the cold sore so you don't feel the tingly itchy feeling.

I will keep buying Blistex from now on and will never buy abreva again. Abreva dried quick and left me feeling itchy. It only worked if you used it immediately on first signs of the cold sore, and it still led to peeling of the skin and bleeding! I have a scar from one time , even after using abreva. With blistex-NO scar.

Blistex works and costed about $3.99 on sale (economy size, which I can cut open at the end to finish it all)
Abreva costs $19.99 for a stupid metal tube that's puny in size, and cannot open it up when it's almost done.

Try Blistex next time u have a cold sore! Apply about 4 times a day for good results.

(That polysporin patch i wrote about below didn't help really, only to hide it a little).


--OLD POST--

Abreva is sooo expensive and the packaging is too small. I have not bought the pump but read that it srays too much when pumped once.

The tubes are so small (2 grams) and are made of metal, so you cannot easily get the last bit out or cut it open like a toothpaste tube to finish all of it. If you aren't careful, it could bend and rip open...

I only found it effective when I had it on me and started applying it on my cold sores at the very first sign (hot tingly feeling, no bump yet). Other times, I was at school or work while a cold sore started growing and no Abreva on hand. Once home, there's a bump and using Abreva will not do much (cold sore still lasted a few days), and continuous use just dried it out and it peeled, bled, and left a scar... TO THIS DAY i have a SCAR from a cold sore I had months ago :( with use of Abreva too.

I got a cold sore yesterday evening, and on my lunch break today went and found Polysporin patches for cold sores, I bought it and put one on. Leaving it on for 8 hrs or until starts peeling off. Hope it heals my sore faster than Abreva!

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* starrz329 on 4/28/2012 4:32:00 PM more reviews by starrz329

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Oily, Dark, Cool   Hair: Black, Relaxed, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

Friday 4/27 - My lip the past 72 hours had been tingling. I had no idea that that was a sign of an impending cold sore, since I've never had one before. I woke up this morning and there was a small bump in the center of my lip. After doing some googling, I realized that this was a cold sore. It was new and had not scabbed over yet. Still on the smaller side but red. I immadetly went to CVS and got Abreva. The sooner you can start this the better. I have a 1st date on Sunday and a cold sore is definately NOT the way to make a good 1st impression. Since then I have been applying it every 2-3 hours...

(UPDATE)
Saturday 4/28 - After 24 hours of consistent application, I have noticed a huge difference on how the cold sore looks today. It has started to dry out some, swelling and redness and decreased. I am amazed that it looks alot better after 1 day. Its not completly healed of course. But definately alot harder for most to notice. I will continue to use it every coule of hours and update tomorrow ....

(UPDATE)
Sunday 4/29 - I woke up today and I am still in shock and amazement. The cold sore is about 80% gone! Theres a tiny scab from it healing but its not noticible to anything, barely even to me. Swelling is virtually gone. Tgeres definately no redness. My lip still twiches/tingles which tells me Im not out if the woods yet, but Im just so happy that the cold sore is almost gone! At this point my lip looks completly normal, and looking straight on at my lip, it looks 100% clear. Now I can only see it ehen I get really close in the mirror. A huge improvement from Friday! I am still using the cream every 2-3 hours.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* scopingforyou on 1/31/2012 9:59:00 PM more reviews by scopingforyou

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

PROS: Shortens the life of the cold sore, but usually only if you catch them early. If you put this on beforehand (when the tingling, weird sensation is there), it will really help shorten how long it lasts or even prevent it. Two weeks ago, I had the tell-tale tingle, and I immediately applied it at least a few times a day. I had the tingle, and there was no doubt it was the tingle, for about four days. Kept up with the abreva (and lip sunscreen) and of course, stayed away from acidic foods/drinks. I NEVER broke out in a cold sore. It also helps it from spreading as much as it would without it.


CONS: Packaging (I use the pump) squirts out a little too much each time, which is a big deal because of the fact that it's very expensive. The tube is worse, as it can sometimes squirt out as soon as you take the lid off. (I didn't take off from the rating for this, since there's a separate section in the rating for price and packaging already.) But this works better than anything else out there. Wish there was something that worked even better, but at least it's better than all the others I've tried, especially the ones that just highlight them with a shine that says, "Look at my cold sore!"


ALTERNATES: It's also helpful to take Lysine (see your local health food or vitamin store employee for more info) when you have one. Some even take it to prevent and swear by it.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* scopingforyou on 1/31/2012 9:59:00 PM more reviews by scopingforyou

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

PROS: Shortens the life of the cold sore, but usually only if you catch them early. If you put this on beforehand (when the tingling, weird sensation is there), it will really help shorten how long it lasts or even prevent it. Two weeks ago, I had the tell-tale tingle, and I immediately applied it at least a few times a day. I had the tingle, and there was no doubt it was the tingle, for about four days. Kept up with the abreva (and lip sunscreen) and of course, stayed away from acidic foods/drinks. I NEVER broke out in a cold sore. It also helps it from spreading as much as it would without it.


CONS: Packaging (I use the pump) squirts out a little too much each time, which is a big deal because of the fact that it's very expensive. The tube is worse, as it can sometimes squirt out as soon as you take the lid off. (I didn't take off from the rating for this, since there's a separate section in the rating for price and packaging already.) But this works better than anything else out there. Wish there was something that worked even better, but at least it's better than all the others I've tried, especially the ones that just highlight them with a shine that says, "Look at my cold sore!"


ALTERNATES: It's also helpful to take Lysine (see your local health food or vitamin store employee for more info) when you have one. Some even take it to prevent and swear by it.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

LadyNicc on 10/25/2011 4:05:00 PM more reviews by LadyNicc

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Other   Eyes: Hazel    

Ive tried other cold sore meds but this is the only one for me. You can consider it steep at $20 for a tiny tube BUT what people dont realize is a little goes a long way. You dont squeeze the tube, the product practically comes out on its own. Unscrew the cap and dab on the cold sore. You only need the tiniest amount, enough to cover the sore. Anymore than that is just a waste. If enough is not coming out, apply as light as pressure as possible on the tube with your fingers. Thats all you need. Its simple. Yes the tube is tiny (which makes it easy to misplace or lose which I have done right after I purchased a tube) but its also practical for other reasons. Do you want some huge tube in your purse/pocket or while you're applying it at work or around people that screams: "I HAVE HERPES!!!!" Probably not.

I get one cold sore a year and one tube will last me several years (havnt even finished my first tube yet). So in essence, the product really doesnt cost that much if you use it properly. May I add I also apply this product numerous times a day when Im fighting a cold sore (minimum 7 days per day) and I hardly see a dent in the tube. Ive seen people complain they go through a tube for a single cold sore because the tube is so small, its just hard to believe unless your cold sore lasted for several months or unless your face is a cold sore..

The first time I got a cold sore, I had no idea what to do. I didnt know there was medications for it (lol) and the cold sore lasted for weeks. I use abreva now and it lasts maybe 5 days? Once you apply the cold sore stops growing as well and starts healing itself. Apply as soon as you feel a tingling sensation. I have felt a tingling sensation a few times, applied right away and nothing popped up. Def recommended.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

JK701 on 9/19/2011 10:35:00 PM more reviews by JK701

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I use a combo of Abreva and L-Lysine to combat cold sores. I keep them in my car, my kitchen, my pocketbook, and in my bathroom. I feel like it works so well! As soon as I feel a tingle, I'm on it! It's better than letting the cold sore happen, because that could take days and even risk scarring on my face. I've used Zovirax before, but I trust Abreva more.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

nancem on 6/17/2011 2:37:00 PM more reviews by nancem

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Medium   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I have been getting coldsores for as long as I can remember. When I get one which is about every 3 months I am so self conscious, I don't even want to leave the house. When I was little and I would get them my mom would buy everything for coldsore spending around 60.00 and nothing would work at all. I seen advertisments for this product in magazines and on tv about 5 years agho and I desperately wanted to try it but it was not sold in Canada yet. My sister then took a trip to Las Vegas and brought me home a tube and Ive been using it ever since. Luckily they started selling it in Canada about 4 years ago. This product is amazing!! The second I feel the tingle I use it and it never surfaces. I have told everyone about this and everyone says the same thing. It is expensive around 20.00 for a small tube but you have to think of it as an investment. one tube will last me about 6 months which is 2 outbreaks. and I feel tingling sometime 3 times a month. so in the long run spend 40.00 a year or living with 3-5 coldsores. I'll spend the 40.00!!! I have tried prescription coldsore cream and it comes in a huge bottle but without benifits it costs me 165.00. The only thing I don't like about the product is the packaging. if I squeeze the tube to hard a whole lot will come out (about half the tube) and then its a waste. I squeeze the tube into a old lip gloss container I had (so it was less obvious that I was putting on cold sore medicine) and it dried it up so I done recommend that. over all its the best product for coldsores and I will contiune to buy it as long as I have coldsores.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

nancem on 6/17/2011 2:37:00 PM more reviews by nancem

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Medium   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I have been getting coldsores for as long as I can remember. When I get one which is about every 3 months I am so self conscious, I don't even want to leave the house. When I was little and I would get them my mom would buy everything for coldsore spending around 60.00 and nothing would work at all. I seen advertisments for this product in magazines and on tv about 5 years agho and I desperately wanted to try it but it was not sold in Canada yet. My sister then took a trip to Las Vegas and brought me home a tube and Ive been using it ever since. Luckily they started selling it in Canada about 4 years ago. This product is amazing!! The second I feel the tingle I use it and it never surfaces. I have told everyone about this and everyone says the same thing. It is expensive around 20.00 for a small tube but you have to think of it as an investment. one tube will last me about 6 months which is 2 outbreaks. and I feel tingling sometime 3 times a month. so in the long run spend 40.00 a year or living with 3-5 coldsores. I'll spend the 40.00!!! I have tried prescription coldsore cream and it comes in a huge bottle but without benifits it costs me 165.00. The only thing I don't like about the product is the packaging. if I squeeze the tube to hard a whole lot will come out (about half the tube) and then its a waste. I squeeze the tube into a old lip gloss container I had (so it was less obvious that I was putting on cold sore medicine) and it dried it up so I done recommend that. over all its the best product for coldsores and I will contiune to buy it as long as I have coldsores.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* Banjos on 2/4/2011 12:52:00 AM more reviews by Banjos

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Abreva does abort cold sores if you use it at the first tingle/itch. The red mark some posters have mention is, I think, from the cold sore and not the product. I have never had a lasting red mark from Abreva use.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

sarah2202 on 2/4/2011 12:11:00 AM more reviews by sarah2202

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I felt the "tingle" on a Friday and ran out to buy a new tube of Abreva. At Shoppers I considered trying out one of their other cold sore products, but I just didn't want to take that chance.

I applied it religiously over the weekend. I'm talking 10-20 times per day. It never got big and ugly, just a few dots. By Tuesday it flaked off as a thin little scab. Now there is just a bit of redness there, but I am sure no one would notice it unless I mentioned it.

In the past I have even used a tube that had been expired for 6 months and it was still effective, so if you want to take a chance you can save your tube a little past the expiration date if you don't want to shell out another $23.

I always have to have this when I feel a cold sore coming on!

Note: I just read a review about Abreva leaving a permanent red mark on her lip. I hope my mark isn't permanent and I will update!
Feb 12 update- The red mark is gone, thankfully. However in the future I may apply Abreva less frequently... maybe there is a reason why the box doesn't say to apply as often as possible.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* ex0ticbarbie on 1/28/2011 10:32:00 PM more reviews by ex0ticbarbie

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Hazel    

I get cold sores if I'm really stressed out, sick and sometimes around that time of the month. Also if I happen to kiss certain people on the cheek I get an outbreak (which is really strange). Every time I get a cold sore, it becomes really big and gross looking and takes a really long time to completely go away (about a month!). I can't stand them since they make me feel so horrible and make me want to stay inside my house until they're gone. Honestly NOTHING else helps like Abreva does (and I have even tried Zovirax which is a prescription cream!). As soon as I feel that dreaded tingle, if I apply Abreva right away it helps prevent the cold sore from even forming. If I don't apply Abreva right away and the cold sore actually formed a blister, applying it very frequently (about every half hour to an hour) will make it last so much shorter. The cold sore will last less than a week that way, which is still not super quick but so much better than having to put up with one for a month. I absolutely love Abreva and even though the tiny tube is super pricey (costs about $15-$20 depending on where you get it), I will keep repurchasing it. I definitely recommend it. Also in addition to prevent contaminating your tube of Abreva, never touch your cold sore and then the tube. I always put some Abreva on on one end of a cotton swab and then put it on. If I need to put more on, I will use the other end of the cotton swab. I never use the same end twice and I think using a cotton swab is much more hygienic than using your fingertips.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

gummy14 on 8/27/2010 12:20:00 PM more reviews by gummy14

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I absolutely love this product! It does what it says. I woke up one morning with a cold sore on my bottom lip so i put some on. In the afternoon it pretty much disappeared! Yes it is on the pricey side but if it works, I will pay. The only thing i hate is the packaging. I always end up with more product than i need.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* demmie on 7/26/2010 8:08:00 PM more reviews by demmie

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Medium, Warm   Hair: Other, Relaxed, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

When it comes to cold sores, NOTHING does it like Abreva. Anytime I get stressed out (like many of us) I get that cold sore feeling, and I immediately spaz. Yes, this is pricey but I have found nothing else that shortens the span of a cold sore. If you nab the cold sore at that tingly phase, it'll likely eliminate it. But even if you catch it early, it will definitely cut the time in more than half. Not even Carmex can touch how great this stuff is!

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

aquajeeling on 4/25/2010 8:37:00 PM more reviews by aquajeeling

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

This is a product I'll regret the rest of my life with.
My cold sores usually didn't leave a mark. But this cream made it slower to heal and left a mark that it is still there today! (it's been about almost 3 years)
I'm angry!

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* felgoj on 1/27/2010 10:05:00 AM more reviews by felgoj

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Garbage. Never did anything for me, & I had purchased it several times to give it a real chance. It was just throwing $$ in the garbage. Zovirax/acyclovir ointment (by prescription) takes a little time to work but at least it works. A couple of times it has actually prevented a cold sore from coming out when I caught that dreaded tingle in time. But Abreva does absolutely nothing. No help whatsoever.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* felgoj on 1/27/2010 10:01:00 AM more reviews by felgoj

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this several times, giving it a real chance. I was desperate. To me this is garbage for a whopping $16 (& the tube is TINY! almost microscopic). Does nothing to speed up my cold sores at all.
I prefer not to get any cold sores at all, of course, but when I do I will stick with trusty prescription Zovirax ointment. With Zovirax (which is greasy & tastes disgusting BTW) my coldsores go away after a week instead of 2-3 weeks on their own. Abreva doesn't work for me. I'll never buy it again.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* miriamb on 10/9/2009 1:07:00 PM more reviews by miriamb

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Medium   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

It's the best out there now, yet not the miracle treatment I am waiting for. Plus it is expensive. I've been using this for years now. It does help with the healing and, if you use it right away when feeling a "tingling" sensation, it does work (always keep one near by!). To get rid of your cold sore, you need to litterally drown your cold sore into the product, at the second you FIRST feel the symptoms. If you can't get rid of it and it grows :( , keep putting some, it does help to stop it from multiplying. Yeah I know, it's gross.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

lnoel4274 on 9/14/2009 7:50:00 PM more reviews by lnoel4274

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette, Relaxed, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I have used this for quite some time now. My cold sores are triggered by prolonged sun exposure. The moment I feel a tingle, I apply this and it pretty much keeps the cold sore from spreading or developing into a grotesque blister. My mom used to use Campho-Phenique on my lips as a kid and all that did was dry it out until it carcked and bled. Abreva seems to keep the cold sore "content" and not so angry lol. Abreva is a very welcomed improvement compared to that other stuff!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No