Cold sores are painful, unattractive blisters that afflict millions of people. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus, which most people are first exposed to as children. Though at that time the virus most likely is seen as just a cold, the virus remains dormant in the skin cells and can resurface at any time. Once it reappears as a cold sore, it starts with a tingling sensation in the skin under or around the lip. This warning sign is usually followed by the eruption of a blister filled with fluid, which eventually bursts, leaking fluid and eventually forming a gold crust.
The average duration of a cold sore is about twenty days. Cold sores are painful and are often embarrassing. They can have a negative impact on your social life and your self-
Though medical science has yet to come up with an effective medication to prevent the appearance of the blisters or eradicate the virus, there are a couple of products that have been shown to shorten the duration of an outbreak. One of the most effective to date is the Zicam Cold Sore Remedy.
Does Zicam Work?
Zicam has been a popular homeopathic remedy for several years, most notably with their zinc lozenges for the common cold.In recent years, as more studies have been done about the successful application of zinc in shortening the duration of the cold virus and its impact, the manufacturers of Zicam have introduced new variations on their product, including a cold sore remedy.
The Zicam Cold Sore Gel Swabs were sold in packages of ten, with each swab to be used from the first sign of the cold sore eruption and used each day through a few days after the sore disappeared.
The product received rave reviews for the treatment of cold sores on lips, with people who have tried every other product on the market proclaiming it as the best treatment available, substantially reducing the duration of the outbreak and relieving the worst of their symptoms.
Zicam Feedback
Zicam Cold Sore Gel Swabs are a unique delivery system for zinc glutonate. Each individual swab is loaded with the homeopathic medication. The proper dose is packaged in its own tube, which is broken open and then applied directly to the cold sore.
It is to be used once every four hours. Cold sore sufferers who have tried any number of treatments for fever blisters have said that it produces immediate relief, with any remaining fluid in the blister being drained, swelling being reduced, and the cold sore disappearing much more quickly than with any other cold sore treatment they have ever tried.
With this kind of feedback, it is tremendously disappointing that the manufacturer withdrew the product from the market.
Although there was no specific statement made about the reasoning behind its removal, it happened at the same time that a nasal treatment specifically for the common cold was in the news because of some lawsuits that had been filed, so it is possible that the company was concerned about the product being applied incorrectly.
Rapidmelts
With the Zicam Cold Sore Gel Swabs having been pulled off of the market by the manufacturer, people who regularly suffer from fever blisters and cold sores have bought almost all of the available inventory.
The only place that it is available for purchase any longer is online, on sites such as Amazon.com, but you do need to be cautious about the expiration dates, as it has been a couple of years since the product was manufactured and most of the available inventory is close to or has already expired.
Cold sore sufferers are now using the Zicam cold remedy; even though it is designed to be taken orally as a means of shortening the common cold, it is a rapid delivery system for zinc, and people are hoping that it is as effective as the product that was originally designed for cold sores was.