u/Recent_Store9388

Hosted a BBQ last weekend and got TORN UP by mosquitos. I haven’t had this many bites in forever. Any special remedies to make them go away faster? I threw on some Cortizone-10 the last few nights. They appeared on Wednesday but the BBQ was last Saturday so I had a delayed response or something. They got me in clusters on my knees, ankles, elbows and a little scattered on my arms and thighs. There’s got to be like 30-40 bites. Obviously i’ve resisted scratching to the best of my ability. I saw stuff about cold compress. Any special product or something I can get at a local drugstore?

Obviously everyone’s body is different, but I wish someone had shared this with me when I had my first outbreak:

For context, I typically get a single cold sore in the exact same spot on my lip whenever I have an outbreak. My triggers seem to be stress and significant sun exposure. Similar to most of the population, contraction was out of my control as it happened when I was a child.

I did not have my first outbreak until I was into my 20s and it lasted almost two weeks when I was only using Abreva. It was actually two separate sores, one healed and then another appeared in a different location. The first breakout is pretty much always the worst.

Since then, I’ve gotten much better at catching them early. My most recent outbreaks have been significantly shorter, around 36 to 48 hours from onset to resolution, using the routine below.

At the first sign (tingling, swelling, tightness of the skin on the lip):

1. Take one Valtrex as soon as possible, if possible. Not everyone has a prescription so the following steps are crucial.
2. Take L-Lysine (I personally use 3,000 mg).
3. Apply L-Lysine cream immediately and reapply throughout the day.

Personally, I’ve found L-Lysine cream much more soothing than Abreva. Abreva tends to irritate my skin and make the blister look more inflamed, but that’s just my experience.

Throughout the first day, continue reapplying the L-Lysine cream to keep the area protected and comfortable. If I’m working and feeling self-conscious, I’ll wear a mask and simply tell people I’m not feeling well.

12 hours later, I take the second dose of Valtrex. The next morning, I continue taking the larger dose of L-Lysine until the sore is fully healed. I personally continue using the cream throughout the healing process. I also take l-lysine at a lower dose (1000 mg) daily to prevent shedding and combat potential breakout triggers.

My biggest takeaway and the single most important thing I’ve learned is to start treatment immediately. The earlier I catch the tingling stage, the shorter and less severe the outbreak tends to be.

Again, this is just what has worked for me after several outbreaks. I’m not a medical professional, and everyone responds differently, but hopefully this helps someone who’s dealing with their first cold sore and feeling overwhelmed.

My boyfriend was recently convicted of a misdemeanor domestic battery charge and will be placed on probation. This charge is not related to me and is completely unrelated to my question. I’m safe and happy. We have a trip to Italy planned, and I’m trying to better understand how international travel works in this situation.

His attorney told us that travel should not be affected and that, while on probation, he would simply need permission from his probation officer. The attorney also made it clear that obtaining permission from the PO should not be a problem.

What I’m confused about is whether that only covers leaving the United States. My assumption is that probation approval allows him to travel, but it doesn’t necessarily mean another country has to admit him. Is that correct?

Has anyone here traveled internationally, specifically to Italy or other Schengen countries, while on probation for a misdemeanor offense? Were you asked about criminal history at entry, or did you encounter any issues?

I’m also curious about the United Kingdom. I know they have different entry rules than the EU, and I’ve seen conflicting information online about travelers with misdemeanor convictions.

Not looking for legal advice, just hoping to hear from people with firsthand experience or anyone familiar with how this works in practice.

Thanks!

My boyfriend was recently convicted of a misdemeanor domestic battery charge and will be placed on probation. This charge is not related to me and is completely unrelated to my question. I’m safe and happy. We have a trip to Italy planned, and I’m trying to better understand how international travel works in this situation.

His attorney told us that travel should not be affected and that, while on probation, he would simply need permission from his probation officer. The attorney also made it clear that obtaining permission from the PO should not be a problem.

What I’m confused about is whether that only covers leaving the United States. My assumption is that probation approval allows him to travel, but it doesn’t necessarily mean another country has to admit him. Is that correct?

Has anyone here traveled internationally, specifically to Italy or other Schengen countries, while on probation for a misdemeanor offense? Were you asked about criminal history at entry, or did you encounter any issues?

I’m also curious about the United Kingdom. I know they have different entry rules than the EU, and I’ve seen conflicting information online about travelers with misdemeanor convictions.

Not looking for legal advice, just hoping to hear from people with firsthand experience or anyone familiar with how this works in practice.

Thanks!