First of all, are these one in the same? If not, what's the difference?

Frequently throughout the night I woke to what felt like a very dry, cracked, chapped corner of my lips. Right in the side where top and bottom meet. It hasn't looked like anything until the last hour or so, just been very tender and sore.

Now it looks like 2-3 tiny little blisters right in that spot. I don't think I've ever had a fever blister/cold sore (whatever) in my life. What's the best treatment to heal it and relieve the pain? Is it contagious? Should I avoid kissing DH and DD? Totally clueless here, so any advice would help. I really have nothing in the house that I think would help it, so I'll be going out in the morning for something. Any med suggestions would be appreciated!

By Luvn29 on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 08:51 pm:

Don't know about the difference in the two, but yes, it is contagious. I've used Zylactin for cold sores in the past, and it really helps, but stings like the dickens at first! However, I think there are some really good OTC meds out there now other than that one...

By Luvn29 on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 08:52 pm:

By the way. It is a herpes virus that causes it. So, I hope I don't offend here, but it can be passed from mouth to "other places" so you may want to refrain from certain activities for awhile!

By Amecmom on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 09:32 pm:

I think it's prescription, but I always use Zovirax. Abreva is supposed to be similar. Ditto Adena.
Ame

By Reds9298 on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 10:05 pm:

LOL ladies! Thanks for that tip. Adena - Did you mean that Zylactin is a prescription? If so, I'll just look for the Abreva first thing in the morning. Thank you!

By Luvn29 on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 10:24 pm:

No problem! And no, Zylactin isn't a prescription. But it is one of the originals that came out, and I think Abreva may be better. I will get it when I need to, next time, because I finally ran out of the Zylactin...