I know this is probably long dead, but I just thought I'd throw down some advice while I was browsing around.
Cold Sores are often caused by many different factors (stress, diet, sunburn or windburn), but there is a deadset great way of treating them.
First, the second you feel a "tingle" (that feeling like something conductive has been placed on your lip) and a lump is forming, get down to a chemist or doctor and ask for an anti-viral drug called Famvir (Famciclovir). You pop those three pills right away, the drug will reduce the time taken for the sore to form and heal (usually down from 10 days to 3 days).
Second, buy some of those Compeed patches. They are those little clear plastic circles that you can put over a coldsore like a bandaid. They stop the chance of it spreading, as well as cover the little buggers up so they are harder to see.
Thirdly, any time you have the Compeed patch off (change them every 8 hours from memory), use a Q-Tip and dab some nail polish remover (or any white spirit) on the affected area. This will help dry out the sore and promote scabbing faster.
You can take preventative measures against them too. Avoid foods that are high in an amino-acid called L-Arginine as the HSV1 (coldsore) virus feeds on this. Take an L-Lysine supplement once a day to help prevent outbreaks too.
Use SPF lip-balm on sunny days to prevent the sun damaging the skin on your lips (can sometimes cause an outbreak).
Above all else, KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON. Stress is the biggest factor in coldsore combat.
Hope this helps, brothers.
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