The first time you get cold sores is often different from follow-up infections. It can either be very mild with just a few sores over the tongue, or more severe, involving more sores which are spread over a larger area. Herpotherm is a discreet and long-lasting alternative to conspicuous cold sore creams, ointments or patches. HERPOtherm works through concentrated heat, killing the virus beneath the skin before it emerges into a blister. It’s something to do with the secretion of histamine and the degradation of enzymes, but if you’re interested in the science you can read more here. When I first received press info on the HERPOtherm, an electronic cold sore treatment device, I smugly declared that I wouldn’t be able to personally review it since I had never needed to treat a cold sore as I had never had one. A few days later, courtesy of my gorgeous, germ-spreading son, I developed my very first corner of mouth cold sore and I’m quite surprised by how unpleasant it is! It’s incredibly uncomfortable, difficult to manage and very sore, so the HERPOtherm Cold Sore Treatment came at the right time. I would be nervous about using a chemical product so close to my mouth as I don’t know how you would avoid swallowing it, so a device that treats cold sores without involving chemicals is perfect for me.

About a month ago I had what might possibly have been the worst cold sore that any human being has ever had.HERPOtherm works by concentrating heat on the affected area killing the virus beneath the skin before it emerges into a blister. HERPOtherm acts throught local thermotherapy. The heat of around 51 degrees centigrade has shown in tests it can influence the secretion of histamine and support the degradation of enzymes thereby reducing the inflammatory reaction. Normally you’d have a cold sore and have to hit up a chemist for a cream, gel or lotion. However, HERPOtherm is a completely chemical free, medical device that can prevent the development of cold sore blisters if applied early enough. As I said, the good thing with the HERPOtherm is that if you don’t catch a cold sore in time, it won’t prevent the blisters but it’ll help minimise your symptoms, or help the blisters fade sooner.

Antiviral tablets are also available but they're not often used to treat cold sores. You'll need a prescription from your GP to get these. Visit your GP if you're concerned about your cold sores, they will be able to advise on the most suitable treatment for you. Use a gel that contains choline salicylate to help soothe symptoms. Children under 16 years shouldn't use these gels because they can cause Reye's syndrome, which is a rare but serious condition So, it’s clear from clinical studies that both kinds of cold sore device genuinely work. This is excellent news since there are so many ‘home remedies’ that do little to actually get rid of cold sores. But should you buy one? Are they worth the money? Consider the following: Smoking Cessation Local stop smoking services are free, friendly and can massively boost your chances of quitting for good. These services staffed by expert advisers provide a range of proven methods to help you quit. They’ll give you accurate information and advice, as well as professional support, during the first few months you stop smoking. They also make it easy and affordable for you to get stop smoking treatments, such as: * Varenicline (Champix) * Bupropion (Zyban) * nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches and gum One-to-one and group stop smoking sessions You’ll normally be offered a one-to-one appointment with an adviser, but many areas also offer group and drop-in services as well. Depending on where you live, the venue could be a local GP surgery, pharmacy, high-street shop, or even a mobile bus clinic. Jennifer Percival, who trains stop smoking advisers, says that using both treatment and specialist support is proven to give you the best chance of stopping smoking. “The majority of people who see an adviser will get through the first month after quitting without smoking a cigarette. “Overall, you’re up to 4 times more likely to stop smoking for good if you use a combination of stop smoking…Herpotherm is a dermatologically tested medical device that can prevent the development of cold sore blisters if applied early enough. Did you know that 90% of people in Europe carry the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 – the main cause of cold sores – but only 30% of carriers produce blisters? That’s a huge percentage of people who would benefit from a reliable cold sore treatment that’s safe and easy to use, so I’m excited to show you the HERPOtherm Cold Sore Treatment, a purse-friendly device that’s free from chemicals and can be used both at the start of the cold sore to halt further development, or during the cold sore cycle to stop it getting worse and reduce symptoms. Early blister symptoms are tingling, itching or burning sensations on or around the lip/s several hours or days before the blisters begin to appear. Once you’ve had cold sores multiple times, you will become used to the symptoms and know when’s best to break out your HERPOtherm medical device. Once you’ve experienced these initial symptoms, small, hard, painful spot appear and blisters begin to erupt. Is there proof that a HERPOtherm works?! Cold sores heal on their own after a few days. However, there are some things you can do that may help with the discomfort until you get better:

Cold sore devices are exceptionally easy to use, and don’t leave any mess after you use them. The guidelines for each product suggest at least two treatments while the outbreak is yet to form, but you can feel it coming. The application takes about five minutes of pointing the device directly at the affected area. You can use cold sore devices either with or without an additional medication like cold sore creams and gels. If you use them without creams, there is no residue left over after use. It really is that simple.

Ingredients

Take a painkiller like paracetamol to help control pain from cold sores – ask your pharmacist for advice as not all painkillers are suitable for everyone Antiviral creams, like aciclovir cream, can be applied five times a day, usually for up to 10 days. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying the cream. Dab the cream on the sores and avoid rubbing the lesions. Make sure to read the patient information leaflet for detailed instructions on how to use this medicine. Apply the cream as soon as you start to feel a tingling. It's thought that using a cream as soon as you get symptoms can help to reduce the length of the episode. The HERPOtherm can leave a small red mark due to the heat, but it fades and is a lot more inconspicuous than a cream. It can also be used by pregnant women, allergy sufferers and children as it’s completely chemical free. It’s ever so discreet, and it’s not painful either. I was worried the 51 degrees would be excessively hot, but it doesn’t actually feel that hot. 51 degrees sounded excessively hot, but it’s not uncomfortable, it doesn’t burn nor does it make my eyes water which I thought might happen. It’s so easy to use, and the ideal tool to have in your medical cupboard of first aid bag to prevent the formation of cold sores.

Herpotherm, is an electronic cold sore pen that works solely by concentrated heat and is thus completely free from chemicals. Suitable for allergy suffers and pregnant women. You should also take special care around babies who may get neonatal herpes if they get infected – don't kiss babies or young children if you have a cold sore. Neonatal herpes is a very severe condition which can affect the organs and is sometimes life-threatening.

Ideally, you should use Herpotherm at the first sign of a cold sore. Some initial symptoms to look out for include: Herpotherm has been tested under using a cohort of 103 patients against topical acyclovir, the ingredient commonly used in cold sore treatment creams. The results showed that localized heat transfer from Herpotherm was more effective in reducing the symptoms of cold sores than acyclovir cream and accelerated the healing time of symptoms by 50%. Study: Wohlrab J, et al., Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology 2013, 6:263-271).