Over the Counter Treatment for Fever Blisters

If you suffer from fever blisters, also known as cold sores, you want them to heal as quickly as possible and recur less often. Because fever blisters are caused by a virus, they are difficult to treat and can reappear often. However, there are different over-the-counter remedies for fever blisters that cannot cure them but can help lessen the severity of an outbreak.

Camphorated Salves

• Salves and ointments, like Carmex or Blistex that contain camphor or menthol, cool the itching and pain of a cold sore but do little to treat the infection. Camphor or menthol penetrates your skin and acts as a local anesthetic. This means your skin will be slightly numbed, relieving the discomfort. Because these salves often consist of heavy moisturizers, they may help keep the skin moist and smooth which can help healing.

Products with Benzocaine or Lidocaine

• Similar to products with camphor or menthol, ointments with benzocaine or lidocaine can help relieve the pain of a fever blister. Benzocaine and lidocaine both act as a local anesthetic, soothing the skin and slightly numbing so that the blister can be left alone. Products like Zilactin also form a barrier around the sore with a bio-adhesive, allowing it to heal without being disturbed by eating or drinking. With this product, you only have to apply the salve once every 6 to 8 hours.

Products with Docosanol

• Docosanol ointments are available over-the-counter as well, the most common one is known as Abreva. Docosanol acts as an antiviral, keeping the virus from infecting cells around it. This can shorten the time it takes for a fever blister to heal by keeping it from spreading beyond the infected cells. Similar to the aforementioned treatments, Abreva also numbs the skin around the sore and coats it with a protective layer.

OTC Pain Relievers

• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen can also lessen the pain of a cold sore. Try applying cold or heat to the sore as well to relieve pain. Eating a softer diet will help keep the sore from being disturbed. Wash your hands well and often to avoid spreading the fever blister to other parts of your body. Reducing the amount of stress that you endure can help keep sores from reappearing. Finally, avoid picking or pinching the blister--this will worsen its severity. If you are treating a cold sore in a child, do not give her aspirin--this can cause a serious disease known as Reye's Syndrome.