Fever Blister Pain Relief

Since there is no cure for fever blisters, it's fortunate that they usually clear up and go away on their own in about two weeks, leaving no scars. However, their period of activity is painful and annoying. Sometimes called cold sores, they're caused by the herpes simplex virus, or HSV. These small red blisters on the lips and mouth often swell, break open and leak clear fluid before scabbing over. When initiated at the very onset of an outbreak, home treatment for pain can also help to shorten the duration by a couple of days.

Pain Relief

• Rub the affected area with aloe vera juice or gel when you first begin to sense the itching, tingling or burning that often signals a fever-blister outbreak on your lip. Repeat this every few hours throughout the day. Aloe can ease those symptoms, and has a measure of antiseptic qualities as well. It is also believed that regular applications of aloe vera may serve to shorten the duration of the outbreak by a couple of days. Remember to take a piece of fresh aloe vera leaf or some commercially prepared organic aloe vera gel with you when you leave the house so that the frequency of your applications will not be interrupted.

  Apply Campho-Phenique to your fever blister with a sterile swab several times throughout the day for temporary relief of pain. This is an over-the-counter liquid with highly effective numbing properties. It will ease your pain, burning and itching. It is also an antiseptic, capable of killing some bacteria. Allow it to dry, and then coat the sore and surrounding area with petroleum jelly. This will lubricate the blister or sore, and help to ease the uncomfortable drying and cracking. It will also provide a protective shield against some invasive infectious organisms.

  Steep a tea bag in hot distilled water and then allow it to cool to room temperature. Use tap water if necessary, but distilled is preferable because it doesn't contain the impurities present in ordinary tap water. Gently hold the tea bag on the fever blister for 5-10 minutes, as often as you have time to do so. The tannic acid in tea has antiviral properties, and can contribute to lessening the severity of your outbreak.

  Some other natural topical substances that often relieve discomfort include witch hazel and St. John's wort essential oil. Simply holding an ice cube to the fever blister for 5-10 minutes can also bring temporary relief of pain and itching.

  Avoid foods and beverages that will sting if they come into contact with your fever blister. Acidic foods such as pickles, and salty snacks such as chips will cause burning sensations. Wash your hands often when you have a fever blister, and try not to touch it to prevent possible transmission of the virus to other people, to your eyes or to your genitals.

Prevention

• Although absolute prevention of fever blisters isn't possible once you've sustained the virus, there are some things that you can do to decrease the likelihood of recurrences. Avoid things you know may trigger fever blisters for you, including excessive stress. Too much sun can cause cold sores for some people, so always protect your lips with balm containing sunscreen.

  Avoid physical contact with someone who is obviously suffering from a fever blister. Don't use drinking or eating utensils, razors, toothbrushes or towels that may have been used or touched by someone with fever blisters, and don't even shake hands. Don't kiss people you know for a fact carry either of the herpes simplex viruses, both of which cause cold sores. This is important, even if someone isn't experiencing an active outbreak, because herpes can still be transmitted from person to person.

  If you feel that you are severely or excessively afflicted by fever blisters, consult your physician. You may be a candidate for prescription antiviral medications that can help prevent recurrences for some individuals.