Painful and ugly looking, fever blisters are common skin conditions, which affects 15 to 30% of Americans. Fever blisters are also recognized as cold sores, oral herpes and herpes labialis. Generally, they occur on the mouth area, mostly on and around the lip. However, they can also occur on other facial areas like nose, nostrils, cheek or chin. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) is the main cause of these blisters. HSV1 virus remains in your body throughout the life and causes fever blister outbreaks several times a year. There is no treatment or vaccine available for fever blisters, but docosanol-based over-the-counter medications and home remedies can relieve pain, accelerate healing and stop them from spreading. Below are mentioned some best ways to get rid of fever blisters quickly.
There are five different stages of fever blisters: tingling and itching stage, blisters stage, oozing & crusting stage, scabbing stage as well as healing stage. In first stage, the person feels tingling, itching and burning sensation around the spot one or two days before fever blisters erupt. In second stage: small fluid-filled blisters break out surrounded by a red ring of inflammation. In third stage, these small blisters merge and then burst, leaving shallow open sores that ooze fluid. In fourth stage, these blisters dry up and a scab will appear with a brownish crust while in fifth stage, they will heal and the scab will fall off without leaving scars.
Fever blisters are extremely contagious from the very first stage. They spread through direct contact, kissing or sharing personal items. So, make sure that you don’t touch them and wash your hands often to prevent spreading of this virus. Fever blisters outbreaks are triggered by factors like stress, fever, pregnancy, temperature extremes, steroid medication, menstruation, sun exposure, fatigue, lots of alcohol consumption, low immunity, diet and certain foods.
The simplest home remedy is to apply wet tea bags to the blisters. There is tannic acid in the tea, which contains antiviral properties. Antiviral properties prevent the development of blisters. Take a tea bag (black tea or green tea) and place it in the boiling water for one minute. Allow it to cool and press on affected area for few minutes. Repeat this every hour in a day. Frozen tea bags can be also used to get relief from pain and discomfort.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide dries the blisters and removes the moisture. Take a bowl, put some hydrogen peroxide and soak few cotton balls in it. Apply the soaked cotton ball over the fever blister for few times. Repeat this remedy 3 to 4 times a day. Another way to use hydrogen peroxide is by making a paste of peroxide (1 tsp) and aspirin (2 nos). Apply the paste with the help of a cotton ball and wash after 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Whole Milk
Milk provides relief from the pain associated with fever blisters and accelerates the healing process. Just soak a cotton ball or swab in milk and gently place it over the sore. Remove the cotton and wash the milk after 10 minutes.
4. Ice Packs
Ice cubes ease the pain, provide soothing effect & quick relief and also decrease the development of the blisters. This remedy also prevents the condition from spreading. Rub an ice cube directly onto the affected area for several minutes or apply ice packs over the blisters for 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat this every hour.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is one of the most effective ways to treat the blisters fast. It not only cures these blisters fast, but also prevents them from growing. The healing and soothing effect of aloe vera ease the pain and tingling sensation associated with fever blisters. Cut an aloe vera leaf, extract the gel and rub it to the affected area. You can even buy aloe vera gel from your local drugstore.
6. Honey
The antiviral properties in honey make it a very effective remedy for blisters. Apply honey directly on the affected area regularly. This will cure the blisters quickly.
7. Toothpaste
Toothpaste has Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) as its main ingredient, which can reduce the blisters. Simply, apply a thin layer of toothpaste to the area as soon as possible. This will dry out the blisters very quickly.
8. Baking Soda
Baking soda dries the blisters and also produces an alkaline environment. Prepare a thick paste by adding a few drops of water into 1 tsp of baking soda. Apply it to the blisters and wait for 10 minutes. Then rinse with plain water.
9. Yogurt
Yogurt contains lysine which blocks and fights against the virus that causes fever blisters. It even prevents the virus from becoming active. Yogurt also boosts the immune system. Consume yogurt thrice a day. Another way: Make an egg and yogurt facial mask to soothe and heal the blisters. Mix one egg, one cup of yogurt & 1 Tbsp of honey in a bowl and apply the mask on the fever blisters. Wash after 30 minutes with warm water.
10. Vitamin E
Vitamin E helps to soothe and heal the blisters quickly. Take a cotton ball, pour some pure vitamin E oil on it and apply the oil to the blisters.
Fever blisters are extremely contagious from the very first stage. They spread through direct contact, kissing or sharing personal items. So, make sure that you don’t touch them and wash your hands often to prevent spreading of this virus. Fever blisters outbreaks are triggered by factors like stress, fever, pregnancy, temperature extremes, steroid medication, menstruation, sun exposure, fatigue, lots of alcohol consumption, low immunity, diet and certain foods.
Best Fever Blisters Remedies:
1. Tea BagsThe simplest home remedy is to apply wet tea bags to the blisters. There is tannic acid in the tea, which contains antiviral properties. Antiviral properties prevent the development of blisters. Take a tea bag (black tea or green tea) and place it in the boiling water for one minute. Allow it to cool and press on affected area for few minutes. Repeat this every hour in a day. Frozen tea bags can be also used to get relief from pain and discomfort.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide dries the blisters and removes the moisture. Take a bowl, put some hydrogen peroxide and soak few cotton balls in it. Apply the soaked cotton ball over the fever blister for few times. Repeat this remedy 3 to 4 times a day. Another way to use hydrogen peroxide is by making a paste of peroxide (1 tsp) and aspirin (2 nos). Apply the paste with the help of a cotton ball and wash after 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Whole Milk
Milk provides relief from the pain associated with fever blisters and accelerates the healing process. Just soak a cotton ball or swab in milk and gently place it over the sore. Remove the cotton and wash the milk after 10 minutes.
4. Ice Packs
Ice cubes ease the pain, provide soothing effect & quick relief and also decrease the development of the blisters. This remedy also prevents the condition from spreading. Rub an ice cube directly onto the affected area for several minutes or apply ice packs over the blisters for 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat this every hour.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is one of the most effective ways to treat the blisters fast. It not only cures these blisters fast, but also prevents them from growing. The healing and soothing effect of aloe vera ease the pain and tingling sensation associated with fever blisters. Cut an aloe vera leaf, extract the gel and rub it to the affected area. You can even buy aloe vera gel from your local drugstore.
6. Honey
The antiviral properties in honey make it a very effective remedy for blisters. Apply honey directly on the affected area regularly. This will cure the blisters quickly.
7. Toothpaste
Toothpaste has Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) as its main ingredient, which can reduce the blisters. Simply, apply a thin layer of toothpaste to the area as soon as possible. This will dry out the blisters very quickly.
8. Baking Soda
Baking soda dries the blisters and also produces an alkaline environment. Prepare a thick paste by adding a few drops of water into 1 tsp of baking soda. Apply it to the blisters and wait for 10 minutes. Then rinse with plain water.
9. Yogurt
Yogurt contains lysine which blocks and fights against the virus that causes fever blisters. It even prevents the virus from becoming active. Yogurt also boosts the immune system. Consume yogurt thrice a day. Another way: Make an egg and yogurt facial mask to soothe and heal the blisters. Mix one egg, one cup of yogurt & 1 Tbsp of honey in a bowl and apply the mask on the fever blisters. Wash after 30 minutes with warm water.
10. Vitamin E
Vitamin E helps to soothe and heal the blisters quickly. Take a cotton ball, pour some pure vitamin E oil on it and apply the oil to the blisters.
Suggestions for Cold Sores:
- Always apply sunscreen cream on the affected areas
- Don’t share your personal items and avoid physical contact with others
- Take sufficient rest and follow exercise routine
- Never touch the fever blisters
- Wash your hands properly after applying any thing on the blisters
- Perform relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation to manage stress
- Drink plenty of water to hydrate the skin
- Never pick or squeeze the blisters
- Do not use cosmetic products as well as lotions with alcohol
- Avoid acidic, processed, spicy & salty foods
- Avoid tea and coffee
- Consume diet rich in antioxidants and complex carbohydrates
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