6 Quick Home Remedies For Fever Blisters
One day you look in the mirror, and you notice a sore on your lips. Is it a cancer sore, you wonder? If the blister is inside your mouth, then it’s definitely a cancer sore. But if it’s located on or around your lips, then we are talking about a fever blister. You may also know it as a cold sore.
Cold sores are quite common, and they usually are not a cause for alarm. However, the blisters are itchy, dry and painful. Besides that, no one wants to walk around with a sore around the mouth.
The question comes: How to deal with them? Well, your doctor can give you an antiviral cream. However, there are also numerous home remedies for fever blisters that you can try. First, let’s see why you have a cold sore on your lip.
What causes cold sores?
Despite the name, cold has nothing to do with cold sores. The culprit behind the fever blisters is a virus called herpes simplex. There are two types of the virus – herpes simplex 1 (HSV1) and herpes simplex 2 (HSV2).
HSV-1 is a highly contagious virus. It usually spreads through the saliva, so kissing, sharing eating utensil, towels, bathroom items like razors can get you infected. Touching a cold sore is also a bad idea.
Most often, people encounter the virus in early childhood. Someone infected with herpes kisses a child and passes the virus.
But what happens after you get the virus?
When you get infected, the virus ends in your nerves. There it lies dormant for the most part. However, certain triggers can awaken the virus. The result is a fever blister. Such triggers are:
- Stress
- Menstruation
- An injury to the area
- Deep sadness
- Intense sunlight
Sometimes, HSV-1 can cause cold sores in the genital area. But usually, genital blisters are the result of an infection with the HSV-2. You get HSV-2 if you have oral sex with a person who has genital herpes. In some cases, HSV-2 could also be responsible for cold sores on the mouth.
Is there a way to get rid of the herpes simplex virus?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for this virus. If you have it, you’ll carry it for the rest of your life. I know that it sounds scary, but don’t worry. Up to 80% of the population has HSV-1. Most of the people don’t know that they even have it. For some of them, it might even stay dormant for years.
What are the symptoms of fever blisters?
When we talk about the symptoms of cold sores, it’s important to distinguish between first- time occurrence and recurrence.
Most people don’t experience any symptoms when they get infected with the herpes simplex virus. That’s why they realize they have it after a cold sore appears. In some cases, primary infection with herpes virus might cause the following symptoms:
- Mouth sores and ulcers
- Lip swelling
- Sore throat
- Swollen glands
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dehydration
- Possible swallowing difficulties
Usually, these symptoms appear in young children. In children under 5, sores might appear inside the mouth. That’s why these blisters might be confused with canker sores.
After the initial infection has occurred, in cases of recurrence look for:
- Itching and burning. You might start to feel tingling a day before a hard and painful spot appears.
- Filled with fluid blisters. They would appear along the border of your lips, nose or cheeks.
- Most often, blisters emerge on the same spot as before.
- Oozing and crusting. After the blisters burst, they would leave open sores. These sores leak fluids and then crust over.
How long do cold sores last? Well, it may take up to two weeks for the sores to heal. However, talk to your doctor if:
- The sore is present for more than two weeks.
- You have frequent recurrences.
- You have a weak immune system.
How to treat fever blisters?
In most cases, cold sores clear on their own with no need for medicine. However, your doctor might prescribe your pills or cream that you can apply to the area. But, if you don’t want to bother with a visit to the doctor’s office, there is a solution.
Here’s a list of the most efficient home remedies for fever blisters. To achieve the best possible effect, use them as soon as you feel the initial tingling sensation.
#1 Ice relieves pain
The simplest home remedy for cold sores is to apply ice to the affected area. Ice reduces the pain, swelling, and redness associated with fever blisters. Moreover, it could prevent the sores from spreading because it creates an inhospitable environment for the virus.
Required Ingredients:
- ice cubes
- a clean washcloth
- lemon balm ointment
Process:
- Wrap the ice cubes in the washcloth.
- Apply to the affected area.
- Keep the ice pack there for 10-15 minutes.
- Repeat every three or four hours.
- Apply lemon balm ointment
Notes:
You this remedy immediately after you start to feel the initial tingling and itching. If you can stand it, also rub the ice directly to the area.
#2 Licorice has anti-viral properties
There is an ingredient in licorice called glycyrrhizin acid. It has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. It stops the virus from spreading, limits the growth of the blisters, and promotes healing. Moreover, licorice will reduce the redness and the swelling.
Required Ingredients:
- a tablespoon of licorice root powder
- one half-spoon of water
- a bowl
- a cotton swab
Process:
- a tablespoon of licorice root powder
- one half-spoon of water
- a bowl
- a cotton swab
- Alternatively, you can drink licorice root tea, chew on some licorice sticks or take licorice supplements.
- Here’s a video you can watch for additional information.
Notes:
Licorice might raise blood pressure. Use with caution and consult with your doctor. Also, don’t consume any licorice products if pregnant. They increase the chance of miscarriage. Licorice is also not suitable for small children and nursing mothers.
#3 Tea bags offer instant relieve
I know that it sounds unbelievable. However, tea contains a powerful anti-viral agent. It’s called tannic acid, and it stops the herpes virus from spreading.
Required Ingredients:
- a tea bag
- a cup of boiling water
Process:
- Soak the tea bag in the cup of boiling water for one-two minutes.
- Take the tea bag out.
- Let it cool for a while.
- Place it on the affected area.
- Wait a few minutes.
- Repeat five or six times a day.
- Do this daily for around four days.
Notes:
You can use both black and green tea bags. You can also try with frozen tea bags to relieve the pain.
#4 Whole milk fights the herpes virus
Whole milk contains important proteins called immunoglobulins. These proteins are antibodies that fight the herpes virus. Milk also contains l-lysine. L-lysine is an essential amino acid that our body gets from meat, dairy products, egg, and fish. It suppresses another amino acid called arginine.
Arginine has growth-promoting activity, and it might be related to cold sores outbreaks. A diet consisting of rich in l-lysine foods might lower your chance of getting another fever blister.
Moreover, there is a fat present in milk called monocaprin. It has anti-viral properties, and it promotes healing. In short, drinking a glass of milk can be beneficial for preventing cold sores.
If you already have a cold sore, try the following whole milk remedy.
Required Ingredients:
- a cup of cold milk
- cotton balls
Process:
- Soak the cotton ball in the cup of cold milk.
- Apply the cotton ball on the affected area.
- Wait for 10 minutes.
- Clean the milk residue with a clean, moist towel.
- Repeat several times a day for at least three days.
You can also opt for drinking milk.
Required Ingredients:
- a cup of warm milk
- one teaspoon of turmeric powder
Process:
- Mix the milk with the turmeric powder.
- Drink two times a day.
- Repeat at least for a week.
Notes:
Turmeric milk is also an excellent remedy for a sore throat. Here’s a video you can watch for more details.
#5 Hydrogen Peroxide is a natural disinfecting agent
Hydrogen peroxide is an essential part of every first-aid home kit. But it’s not only useful for treating wounds, but also as a fever blisters remedy. Let’s see why.
Hydrogen peroxide will kill any bacteria that might have infected the fever blisters, and that would speed up the healing. Moreover, using hydrogen peroxide keeps the affected area dry. This is important because the herpes virus prefers a moist environment.
Required Ingredients:
- 3% hydrogen peroxide solution
- Cotton balls
- A wet washcloth
Process:
- Soak a cotton ball in the 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.
- Apply to the affected area.
- Wait 2-3 minutes.
- Clean the area with the wet wash cloth and pat it dry.
- Repeat three or four times a day
Alternatively, you can mix the hydrogen peroxide with aspirin and make a paste.
Required Ingredients:
- two aspirins
- one teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution
- lukewarm water
- a spoon
- a cotton ball
Process:
- Crush the aspirin with the back of the spoon.
- Mix the crushed aspirin and the teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide.
- Use a cotton ball to rub the paste to the cold sore
- Wait two-three minutes.
- Rinse the area with lukewarm water.
- Repeat once a day for maximum two days.
Notes:
You may feel some tingling or pain when you apply the peroxide.
This remedy should be used during the blister phase. Once a scab has appeared, don’t use. It since it can prolong the presence of the blister. Also, hydrogen peroxide doesn’t have any effect on future blisters.
#6 Garlic gets rid of fever blisters quickly
There is no denying that garlic is one extremely useful kitchen ingredient. Raw garlic has shown some remarkable effects against microbial infections. Moreover, garlic has numerous health benefits, and it has antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Using garlic for cold sores can speed your recovery and keep the bacteria out of the fever blisters.
Required Ingredients:
- two or three garlic cloves
- mortar and pester
- water
Process:
- Crush the garlic cloves.
- Add a little water to make a paste.
- Apply to the affected area.
- Wait 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the paste and rinse the area with water
- Repeat three times a day.
- Don’t use it for more that two days.
Alternatively, you can chew on some garlic cloves. If you can’t stand garlic, you can use garlic supplements. But, consult with your doctor.
Here are more garlic home remedies for fever blisters that you can try.
Notes:
You might feel stinging or pain when you apply the garlic. Also, regular consumption of garlic might lead to gastrointestinal problems like bloating, gas and nausea.
Don’t use garlic if you take blood thinning drugs. Consult with your doctor beforehand.
How to prevent fever blisters?
The best way to prevent cold sores is to avoid ever being infected with the herpes virus. But since the virus is ever present in our society, it’s very likely that you have already contacted the disease. So, what can you do then? Here are some simple steps you can follow to lower your chance of getting another fever blister:
- limit your consumption of food rich in arginine like nuts, peas, coffee
- keep your immune system strong
- lower your stress levels
- use sun blocking cream for your lips
- limit alcohol use
- try l-lysine
No one wants to experience fever blister, but alas they are part of our life. But as you see, there are certain precautions that you can take to protect yourself from recurrences.
What to you think about these home remedies for fever blisters? Have you ever tried any of them? Share how you deal with cold sores in the comments. We love to hear your opinion and experience. And don’t forget to show this article to your friends!
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