Advice on cold sores and steroid medications

Question: I used to get cold sores about two to three times a year. They start with tingling, itching, and burning, and then they scab over. With the last one I had, I took action: I squeezed out the fluid and applied Vicks VapoRub. I haven't had another one since. What do you think of that?Answer: I think that it's a bad idea to pop those tiny clusters of cold sore blisters. They're packed full of viral particles of the herpes variety. And that makes the fluid very, very infectious. You could spread it to other parts of your body by direct contact, and if you kissed someone at that time or engaged in oral sex, you'd surely pass on the cold sore virus. A second problem is that your Vicks VapoRub "cure" is not a cure at all. It might numb the pain, but that's about all it'll do. The herpes virus remains dormant within the nerve roots just under the skin's surface, and you can't prevent recurrences by putting on a cream or liniment. For those who get frequent cold sores, you'll know that they always recur in the same place. When your defenses weaken because of physical or emotional stress, lack of sleep, cold or flu or poor nutrition, you're set up for recurrence. I think in your case, it's just been a run of good luck.