I suppose "Cornflake Girl" is a strange title for a review about Zovirax, but believe me, it is a very apt name for me when I have a cold sore because basically it looks like I've got a cornflake stuck on my upper lip!!

With that, I become "Cornflake Girl" and have the superhero powers to scare people away (ooh, yuck, what's that?); stop men from spending time with me (you're not coming near me with that thing on your lip!!) and am treated like a leper (the green towel is yours - don't use mine and don't even think of drinking out of my good Winnie the Pooh cup!).

A cold sore is actually an infection cause by the herpes simplex virus (hsv). It usually appears on or around the lips although people can sometimes get them around or just inside their nose. They can also be found in the eyes but this is uncommon and should be referred immediately to a doctor.

Unfortunately, once you have caught your first cold sore, you pretty much have them for life as the virus lies dormant in your nerve cells and flares up every now and then. I, along with many people, find that my cold sore appears in pretty much the same place all the time as it stays localised in one part of the nerve. However, they are very easily spread to other areas especially if they weep or bleed.

No, seriously, they usually start off as a tingling or itching feeling eg. on the lip. After a while, the area becomes red, almost as if a spot is starting. The red area becomes raised and feels uncomfortable. If you look closely (eg in a magnifying mirror) you will see that it is made up of tiny "water blisters" (usually about 8 or so) all clustered together. After a while, the cold sore takes on its characteristic honey coloured crust which does, really, look a bit like a piece of cornflake.

Although cold sores should disappear themselves in around ten days, certain creams on the market are available to help them clear up quicker (eg Zovirax which I will talk about later). There are also other creams such as Cymex and Blistex (formerly Blisteze) which help soothe the cold sore and stop it from drying out.

Now to Zovirax - officially my best friend in the world (well, when it comes to cold sores anyway!)

If you catch a cold sore early enough, Zovirax is strong enough to prevent it from coming out completely. You can use it five times a day for five days and this should be enough to stop it. To be honest, I find that only using it for a couple of days is enough to prevent it but the manufacturers do recommend five days.

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Aciclovir itself is very potent but is safe to use as it only affects cells which are infected with HSV - it has no effect on healthy cells and thus you shouldn't suffer any side effects. Sometimes, I have found that it tingles a bit when you put it on and can make the skin a bit dry but this is a normal reaction and shows that it is doing its job.

"A very few people may be allergic/sensitive to Zovirax. There have been rare reports of allergic reactions including swelling, especially of the lips, face and/or eyelids; skin rashes or weals. If you experience any of these symptoms check with your doctor immediately and do not use the cream any more unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so."

Yes, Zovirax is very expensive: £5.79 for a 2g tube or £5.95 for a 2g pump (exactly the same in terms of content but the pump is less messy that the tiny tube).

Zovirax was the first company on the market to get an over-the-counter license and has a loyal following. It also spends £millions on advertising and increasing consumer awareness and thus the price tag is quite hefty.

The information in this review is based on my own experience and knowledge and should not be taken as definitive medical advice. What I have found to be suitable for me may not always be suitable for you. Remember, you should always check with your pharmacist before using any over-the-counter products especially if you are taking other medication, have underlying disease, are pregnant or breastfeeding.