I get cold sores. Gross, yeah, whatever, get over it. I used to get one or two a year. But ever since I've had to wear a mask all day at work, I've been getting them constantly, one after the other.
They are very painful and cause other issues as well...can't kiss my kids, spouse, etc. It sucks
Anyone got a solution? I'd love to quit the masks, but I need my job and right now the mask nazis are in charge.
Could also cause acne around where the mask is worn with the hot vapor condensation. And the worst part is God knows if the CO2 all day is really bad for you. Docs can say whatever but a lot of their job is BSing just to exude confidence and avoid froghtening people.
Are you taking anything for them? If you're getting them constantly it might be a good idea to talk to a doctor about a prescription for Valtrex or something like that.
On the bright side nobody can see them or know you have them.
Acyclovir
safety wrote:
I get cold sores. Gross, yeah, whatever, get over it. I used to get one or two a year. But ever since I've had to wear a mask all day at work, I've been getting them constantly, one after the other.
They are very painful and cause other issues as well...can't kiss my kids, spouse, etc. It sucks
Anyone got a solution? I'd love to quit the masks, but I need my job and right now the mask nazis are in charge.
I 2nd the other poster who recommended Valtrex. I get core sores when I get stressed out. I have a prescription for Valtrex and start taking it as soon as I feel one coming on and it stops it before it even becomes a blister. I would suggest taking to your doctor and requesting a prescription.
Valtrex 500 mg at bedtime daily. Safe and effective.
Oh, you guys--come on, the OP just wants to complain about masks! Stop taking the post seriously and offering, you know, actual solutions--s/he wants to *vent* about the problem, not fix it!
Oh, come on, now! wrote:
Oh, you guys--come on, the OP just wants to complain about masks! Stop taking the post seriously and offering, you know, actual solutions--s/he wants to *vent* about the problem, not fix it!
^this. The irony being that sunlight and dryness are well known triggers for cold sores, so covering your mouth from the sun (and moisture) is a good way to prevent an outbreak. Wearing a mask should help.
The exception of course is that stress is also a trigger and wearing a mask feeds into his conspiracy theory paranoia, elevating his stress and causing outbreaks - this is the consequence of being a stupid baby. Just take Valtrex and wear a tin foil hat, problem solved.
sunlight is bad wrote:
Oh, come on, now! wrote:
Oh, you guys--come on, the OP just wants to complain about masks! Stop taking the post seriously and offering, you know, actual solutions--s/he wants to *vent* about the problem, not fix it!
^this. The irony being that sunlight and dryness are well known triggers for cold sores, so covering your mouth from the sun (and moisture) is a good way to prevent an outbreak. Wearing a mask should help.
The exception of course is that stress is also a trigger and wearing a mask feeds into his conspiracy theory paranoia, elevating his stress and causing outbreaks - this is the consequence of being a stupid baby. Just take Valtrex and wear a tin foil hat, problem solved.
The OP had me going there for a bit. Thanks for reeling me in to reality. Jeez.
Oh, come on, now! wrote:
Oh, you guys--come on, the OP just wants to complain about masks! Stop taking the post seriously and offering, you know, actual solutions--s/he wants to *vent* about the problem, not fix it!
F*** off, you're not the one who's had to deal with painful open sores on your mouth for months so that a bunch of lefty pearl-clutchers can feel safe walking their dogs.
I'm already take acyclovir. It's not helping. Maybe I'll give Valtrex a try.
Try taking your mask off, see if you can get the okay from the people you work with, or make your own mask out of material that is easy to breathe through.
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I made a couple out of sun screen material earlier in the year but ended up not wearing a mask because (1) they are harmful, and (2) there's no good reason to wear one.