Abreva Cold Sore or Fever Blister Treatment~Is the Expense Worth It?
Written: Apr 29 '08
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Works Faster than Expected... Healed Up My Blisters... Didn't Spread the Blisters
Cons: Expensive, Expensive, Expensive... Didn't take away Burning or Itching
The Bottom Line: An expensive product but effective enough to heal. I would use it again but know that it doesn't take away the painful burning, even though it claims it will.
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| kparsons13's Full Review: Abreva Cold Sore Treatment |
"Fever Blisters" also known as "Cold Sores" can sometimes be excruciatingly painful. There are many reasons why people have outbreaks of them ranging from physical and emotional stress to excessive exposure to bright sunlight. As for me, I have an immune system deficiency and have struggled with both Cold Sores and Fever Blisters since I was an infant.
Recently I broke out with Fever Blisters on my upper lip. It is not only embarrassing to go out in public when these outbreaks occur but it can also take forever to heal. It is also at times a very painful process.
My step-mother, who was visiting at the time, recommended trying Abreva Cold Sore or Fever Blister Treatment, since she has had issues with cold sores throughout her lifetime. She said that it works well for over-the-counter medicine. However she also recommended that I see a doctor for a prescription if it gets worse or lasts longer than normal.
In the past when I have had either Fever Blisters or Cold Sores, I have tried creams and gels with very little relief. I haven't purchased anything recently in the past year because they didn't seem to do what they claimed. However, this time around, I was interested to see what Abreva was going to do.
Abreva Cold Sore or Fever Blister Treatment comes in two different forms now: the Abreva Pump and the Abreva Original Tube. The Abreva Pump was actually a little cheaper but I went with the cream in a tube instead since that is what my Pharmacist had recommended.
The Abreva Tube of 2.0g or .07 oz. came at a cost of $16.97. It wasn't cheap and from what I could see the most expensive over-the-counter medicine for Fever Blisters and Cold Sores currently offered. Regardless, it claims on the packaging that it is "#1 Pharmacist Recommended" and the "Only FDA Approved to Shorten Healing Time."
The tube is shown in the packaging through plastic and you can see how small it is, but then again I didn't need a lot of cream to cover the area on my lip. I decided it must be a worthwhile purchase and to just splurge and buy it. Normally I wouldn't be so keen on spending so much money on a product like this, but I also didn't want to walk around with my head down for a week.
~ Drug Facts ~
Active Ingredient: Docosanol 10% - Purpose: Cold Sore/Fever Blister Treatment
Inactive Ingredients: Benzyl alcohol, light mineral oil, propylene glycol, purified water, sucrose distearate, sucrose stearate
Uses:
*** Treats Cold Sores/Fever Blisters on the face or lips
*** Shortens Healing Time and Duration of Symptoms {tingling, pain, burning, and/or itching}
~ Warnings ~
*** For External Use Only
*** Do Not Use if you are allergic to any ingredient in this product
*** Stop Use and Ask Doctor if Your Cold Sore gets worse or the cold sore is not healed within 10 days
*** Keep Out of Reach of Children {If swallowed, get medical help or contact a poison control center right away}
~ When Using This Product ~
*** Apply only to affected areas
*** Do not use in or near eyes
*** Avoid applying directly inside your mouth
*** Do not share this product with anyone. This may spread infection.
~ Directions ~
Adults and Children 12 Years or Older:
*** Wash hands before and after applying cream
*** Apply to affected area on face or lips at the first sign of cold sore/fever blister (tingle)
*** Early Treatment Ensures the Best Results
*** Rub in Gently but Completely
*** Use 5 Times a Day Until Healed
Children Under 12:
*** Ask a Doctor
~ Questions or Comments ~
Call: 877-709-3539 (Weekdays)
Website: www.abreva.com
Distributed for Avanir Pharmaceuticals by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, L.P.
Made is the USA
If you are not completely satisfied, save the receipt and remaining product, and call us at 1-877-709-3539 weekdays.
~ My Experience ~
Usually when you feel itching or tingling on your face or lips, it is the first sign of a Cold Sore or Fever Blister break out. This product even states on the packaging that it is most effective if used as "early treatment." My Pharmacist had also warned me that it is pretty much useless if you are already in the second stages of the Blisters forming and popping.
In order not to spread the Fever Blisters further along my lip I used a Q-Tip to put the cream on rather then my finger. The cream does come out quickly from the small tube and you need to be ready not to squeeze too much out. After all, this is not a cheap product.
I made sure that I used it for the recommended five times a day. Under most circumstances my Cold Sores and Fever Blisters have lasted up to three weeks in the worst case scenario. When using Abreva, I was lucky enough that the treatment cleared things up in less than seven days. It was quite impressive compared to other products I had formerly used.
I did not have a problem with the Fever Blisters spreading along my lip or getting worse by any means either. They stayed under control. The only complaint or rather concern that I might mention is the pain relief was not impressive. I still was uncomfortable and it didn't by any means make a noticeable difference in the discomfort. The Fever Blisters scabbed up quickly and were gone. Yet the normal burning that comes along with Fever Blisters did not seem to change for me.
It should be noted that Abreva approves using cosmetics after applying the cream. They do recommend a "cotton swab" to "avoid spreading infection." I did not use any lipstick or Chapstick during the time I used Abreva in the scare that I may make things worse. I kept it safe and just used the cream.
~ My Recommendation ~
I was fortunate enough to have a positive experience with Abreva Cold Sore or Fever Blister Treatment. However I did read other reviews on this site and not everyone was as impressed as I was. I did not have a poor experience with this over-the-counter medicine and the only complaint I would have is the expense.
It may work but at $16.97, I feel it better be effective. It doesn't come cheap and I used quite a bit of it over the period of time I had the Fever Blisters. When you are applying it five times a day on an area and rubbing it in completely, you tend to go through it quickly.
Do I think it is a miracle worker? Definitely not. The painful burning really didn't subside but it did speed up the healing process. However I do believe that if I hadn't caught it right away, it may not have done the job. I just happened to get it immediately and within the first few hours of noticing the break out coming on.
I did receive a "Bonus" plastic container to keep the tube in for my purse which I thought was handy in case any squeezed out. However it had a "key chain" like shape to it and I can't see myself throwing it on with keys. I don't think I want to announce to strangers that I have a Fever Blister/Cold Sore issue. Regardless, the plastic cover was nice to have to travel with.
Overall, this is an "Above Average" product to me. It worked in the most important way and that was healing my Fever Blisters. I may not have had relief in itching or burning but it is better than walking around with blisters on my lip for up to three weeks at a time. No one likes to be stared at or made to feel uncomfortable.
I did not find this company on the "Animal Testing" list either, which made me feel better. I don't like products that test on animals and you would be shocked at how many majot brands do that people use everyday.
I would definitely use Abreva Cold Sore or Fever Blister Treatment in the future for outbreaks of either kind. It speeds up the healing time and that is the most important aspect for me.
Thanks for Reading!
kparsons13
Recommended:
Yes
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kparsons13
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Member: ~Kimberly~
Location: Sunny Arizona
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