Zovirax Cream and Burning: What Users Say

• Joh...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 16, 2021

For Cold Sores "I'm from the UK, and have had cold sores all my life (40s). Zovirax is a complete waste of money. For years, I used it because I believed the marketing - and I thought that cold sores just got bigger, but about 5 years ago, I tried just leaving well alone. Without Zovirax, they crust faster, don't spread, and heal faster and more naturally. With Zovirax, I find it burns the skin, they spread (keep popping up outside the original zone), and scar for longer. I've also not really found that Zovirax prevents them if you get there during the original tingling either. Also, the tube size is a scandal."

• Arj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2020

For Cold Sores "The worst stuff I have ever used. It burnt and scarred my skin. The cold sore was almost invisible, and Zovirax burnt it and the surrounding skin. It made it look awful, and made it painful, and took three weeks to heal. NEVER AGAIN, beware!"

• K-P...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 17, 2015

For Cold Sores "Honestly, one of the best treatments for HSV or cold sores around! I start feeling a cold sore coming on (a tingling, burning sensation), and on goes the Zovirax. Instant relief from the pain, and the sore stops in its tracks! Definitely worth every penny of that."

• Dan...
• May 20, 2016

For Cold Sores "I'm from the UK, and Zovirax cost £6, which is probably $9 for a small tube. It's rubbish. Felt a tingle, so went straight to the shop and bought Zovirax. Been applying it every 4-5 hours. Three days later, the cold sore has blistered at the side of my mouth. Would have been better using TCP. It burns a bit, but it does the job."

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2021

For Cold Sores "Zovirax burnt my skin around the cold sore, leaving a red mark 2-3 times larger than my cold sore! It also caused this skin to peel. My cold sore is essentially gone after approximately 6 days, but now I am left with a very obvious and huge red mark. If you use this cream and it stings or burns at all when you apply it, I would suggest stopping usage straight away. It says that this may be a “mild” symptom of using the cream. I wish I had stopped using it as soon as I felt the stinging sensation."

• d m...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2023

For Cold Sores "I am from the UK but was given Zovirax cream for a cold sore while in Spain. This caused the cold sore to blister and spread. The skin surrounding my mouth also burned and blistered. Will never use again. Absolutely awful experience. Skin still not healed a month after use. Will stick with Blistex in the future."

• GSm...
• December 10, 2016

For Cold Sores "Had to immediately clean it off my lips. The burning from this cream was far too intense for me. I'm 35 weeks pregnant, so my immune system is already compromised. This is the worst cold sore outbreak I've had, where pills, supplements, home remedies, and Abreva haven't helped. I pray that it clears up soon."