Docosanol topical and Blisters: What Users Say

• Don...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2020

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "If you already have blisters or lesions, go to the doctor... do not buy Abreva. Just like you, I hoped it would fix the problem in 2 1/2 days as advertised and didn't really have time for a trip to the doctor's office. I wasted $30 and prolonged my face deformity by relying on Abreva. New blisters actually popped up after I started using it! Only after I got proper antivirals did the blister (and its Abreva friends) begin to heal. The doctor actually told me, 'I've never had much luck with patients who use Abreva.' Get antivirals if you need to show your face in public anytime soon."

• TJ ...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 10, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I’m amazed at how many people have had the same experience with Abreva recently. I am convinced that the formula has changed. I get cold sores very infrequently, but I have always had success with applying it at the first tingle or itch. I have had two this year and applied immediately, but ended up with full-blown blisters and a puffy lip, which has never happened to me before. Good to know it’s not just me... I was thinking my body had become immune. I think I will need to look into other options at this point."

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Just awful; I cried. I used Abreva at first signs of a cold sore, and within hours, my upper lip erupted into massive, painful blisters that resembled a marble. I thought it was a fluke, so I gave it another shot next time. Same reaction; I'll never use Abreva again."

• Sep...
• January 16, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I could feel a cold sore coming on and I thought, guess I need some Abreva!! Ran to the store even though I was broke to buy a $20 tube of this stuff!! Started applying it immediately and what do you know, I’ve had the worst outbreak I’ve ever had!! Going on day three and my lip is swollen with two huge blisters!! I’m in pain!! Never again will I use it, and I don’t recommend use of it!!"

• EMS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2015

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I was really skeptical about paying so much for a small amount. Usually, my cold sores do not get very bad or noticeable, however, it did this time. The first day, I could feel the tingle. The second day, my lip was swollen to where my mouth couldn't close comfortably, and blisters had started. By the third day, my lip had swelled even bigger, and blisters were extremely noticeable. And by day four, blisters had popped, leaving a dark, crusty look, some swelling went down. By the beginning of day four, I was ready to pull my hair out. I went to the pharmacy and bought a small tube and began to use it like I use oxygen. Overnight, I applied a heavier coat, and by day five, the large scab from the blisters fell right off! Swelling was completely gone!"

• Gir...
• October 20, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Used Abreva once prior (from the tube). Had some swelling, but within three days, everything seemed to be healed and back to normal. Used the new pump this time and, my God, things have taken a turn for the worse. Sometimes, after being in the sun for hours and from not getting enough rest, I’ll develop super tiny blisters on the inside of my upper lip. I put Abreva (from the pump) on this time and used it as I did with the Abreva from the tube. Never again. My entire lip is swollen 10x its normal size. It now looks like I have a million tiny little bubbles in my lip that I am praying do not surface. The original three little blisters are now 7-8 and are oozing. It hasn’t spread to my face or upper lip but seems to have spread across my entire bottom lip. I don’t know if it’s an allergic reaction or if the condition has worsened. Either way, I will not use this product again. I stopped using it completely for the past 24 hours, thinking the symptoms would subside. I was wrong."

• Izz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 13, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "They must have changed the formula?!?! I'm having the same awful experience most of you are. Felt the tingle, ran to the pharmacy as fast as I could (drove). When I got there in the morning, there was only the $40 2-pack and nothing else on the shelf?! I didn't have a choice. Got it, and it's the most masochistic way I've ever spent money. Put it on, took a nap (keeping my face positioned up), and woke up two hours later to my lip swollen 4x the normal size. Three massive blisters spanned my lip after using this product. It used to help me in the past, and now my worst nightmare has happened. I'm too embarrassed to go to work like this and can't concentrate on anything but the throbbing pain that feels like my lip will actually burst."

• Ups...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I've gotten cold sores since I was younger, and they're always about the same. Until I bought Abreva last night, HUGE MISTAKE! It got so much bigger and extra blisters spreading onto my face under my lip. Went to the doctor today, and she said that my cold sore had gotten severely infected. She prescribed me valacyclovir 1G to be taken 3x daily for 7 days! Don't ever use Abreva!!"

• Big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2021

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I felt a cold sore coming and immediately bought Abreva. I've been using it every 2-3 hours like clockwork for 6 days and still have these hideous blisters. It couldn't have come at a worse time. I'm very disappointed in this product. You got my $20, but never again."

• Tre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Exactly as others have said - I put it on at the first tingle. Used it religiously ALL day. This morning I woke up with TWO huge blisters, my entire lip swollen, and pain radiating down my jaw. I am 31 and have had cold sores since before I started kindergarten. Never in my life has a product caused them to WORSEN. Biggest mistake, and waste of money. I don't know what to use now."

• Enz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2018

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Do not buy Abreva! A terrible product that delivers horrific results. I used it on the first tingle and tiny bump on my upper lip indicating a sore was about to surface. Big mistake! Overnight my lip became so swollen, it looked like I was stung by a hornet! Also, the blisters multiplied in amount and size! Blisters also turned white and oozed profusely. I would rate this a minus 10 if I could. Just terrible!"

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2021

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Have tried Abreva a few times. Never works. This last time I applied it right away when I started to feel the itch and tingling. As others have said, I got the biggest blister ever, and it spread super fast. Took over a week to even get some relief. My sister, who also gets them, has tried Abreva before and said the same thing. Doesn't help at all. Also, way overpriced for no results."

• Qui...
• October 21, 2015

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "The first two times I ever got a cold sore, I used over-the-counter Walgreens/CVS/Campho-phenique products, and my cold sore lasted for 2 weeks. This most recent time, I noticed the red, tingly bump on Saturday morning, rushed out to the store, and decided to try Abreva. I began application immediately and as directed. By Saturday evening, I was blistered. I kept using Abreva and was taking L-lysine vitamins every day. It is now day 5, and the blister is gone, already scabbed and fallen off, and now just a somewhat minor red area where the skin is still healing. This combo of Abreva and L-lysine vitamins saved my life! Would definitely recommend Abreva and will use again if needed."

• Not...
• January 6, 2018

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Re: the comment posted on 12/31/17... Have the same experience with Abreva. I've endured cold sores (herpes simplex) all my life. I'd rather volunteer for a root canal than endure a cold sore. There ISN'T ANY product I haven't tried for relief!! EVERY SINGLE TIME I've used Abreva, it's made things worse!! It's like steroids, blisters appear shortly after I use it!! Wtf? 'Help speed the healing process'... ya said the unicorn to the rainbow! It certainly speeds things up, just NOT the healing!!"

• Don...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2018

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Yesterday I noticed the tingling, and my bottom lip felt particularly chapped in the middle. Added a dab to that area and went to bed. Woke up to two enormous blisters right in the middle of my bottom lip line and a swollen, burning lip. I don't know what the purpose of this formula is, but it does the total opposite of its purpose."

• Kat...
• January 10, 2018

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I decided to buy Abreva, and my cold sores normally take up to a week. The cream made it much worse, I got blisters, which I never had like that, and I have had a cold sore for 2.5 weeks now. There is even starting another one on the other side of my mouth."

• Anonymous
• April 14, 2018

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Please do not use this!!! I wish I had read the reviews on here beforehand. I woke up with a small section of redness and put Abreva on it to get ahead of the virus (which I never do, but I have a trip coming up). Within the day, my lip was swollen with not one, but two huge blisters. It's the worst breakout I've ever had, and I wish I had never used this stupid cream. Stay away!"

• Pea...
• April 20, 2017

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Made my blisters worse and didn't relieve my pain. It's too expensive to not work. Will never buy again."