|  | Conditions Treatments | Herpes

Signs of a Fever Blister

Fever blisters are painful lesions that can affect the skin around the mouth. They can be found on the lips, chin, nostrils, cheeks, and mouth. In the mouth, fever blisters are located on the roof or gums. There are many signs that can indicate a fever blister outbreak is imminent.

  1. Identification

    • According to HealthCentral.com, most fever blisters are caused by herpes simplex virus-I (HSV-1). Many people contract HSV-1 when they are children or during adolescence. This virus is extremely contagious and can be transferred when you come in contact with infected skin or saliva. When HSV-1 attacks the skin for the first time, it creates a primary infection. Symptoms of a primary infection include sore throat, fever, nausea, open sores on the inside of the cheeks, and gum swelling. Once the primary infection settles down, the HSV-1 virus lies dormant in the deep nerve roots of the cheekbone. Certain triggers such as fever, stress, illness, and menstruation can reactivate the virus and cause a fever blister outbreak.

    First Phase of a Fever Blister

    • The first phase of a fever blister episode is known as the prodrome. You may notice strange sensations in the affected area about one to three days before you see an actual lesion. The affected skin may feel slightly itchy, tingly, or tight. You may feel soreness or a burning sensation. These annoying sensations may last from 2 to 48 hours. Starting treatment when you experience these symptoms may help shorten the outbreak.

    Second Phase of a Fever Blister

    • The strange sensations beneath the skin are warning signs that the virus has been reactivated and a fever blister outbreak is about to occur within 24-48 hours. At this phase in a fever blister cycle, you will notice clusters of tiny red bumps on your skin that are swollen with fluid. Each fever blister contains highly contagious particles of the virus. Most cold sores appear on the border of the lip but can also occur inside the mouth, especially in people with a weakened immune system. You may also have fatigue, body aches, swollen glands, and fever. The first outbreak tends to be severe compared to recurrent episodes. During this phase, fever blisters are incredibly painful. Drinking and eating can be difficult, so dehydration may become a problem.

    Third Phase of a Fever Blister

    • About three days after the fever blisters pop up, they will collapse. At this phase, the ruptured fever blisters leak fluid and are the most contagious. Once the fever blisters have broken down, they turn into small weeping ulcers that appear reddish-gray. As the ulcers begin to dry out, brown scabs form. The affected skin will feel itchy, sore, and dry. These fever blister scabs can crack and bleed. These shallow ulcers last for a week to 10 days.

    Last Phase of a Fever Blister

    • A week to two weeks after the fever blister outbreak, the blisters will begin to heal. Each scab breaks down but crusts over into a smaller scab until the lesion completely heals. The healing lesions continue to feel dry, tight, and itchy. According to FeverBlister.com, fever blisters usually don't scar the skin because the skin heals completely after each outbreak. Although this phase is less contagious than the rest, the virus can still be passed to another person.

Herpes - Related Articles