In the 2008 edition of "Archives of Internal Medicine," Northeastern Ohio University internal medicine physician Christina Cernik, M.D. explains that less than 5 percent of people with fever blisters develop them on the tongue. Tongue fever blisters usually appear late during a person's first outbreak of fever blisters and rarely recur. Although fever blisters usually resolve without treatment, tongue fever blisters are more serious because they can interfere with food or fluid intake. Doctors typically recommend a combination of prescription antiviral drugs and good oral hygiene to make a tongue fever blister go away.
See Your Healthcare Provider
Step 1
Make an appointment with your doctor or dentist. Have your datebook and a pen handy when you call, so you can write down the date and time of your appointment, as well as any special instructions.
Step 2
Make a list of the names and doses of any medications that you take regularly, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins or dietary supplements. If it's hard for you to write, put all of your medications in a bag and bring them with you to the appointment.
Step 3
Arrive at the appointment at least 10 minutes in advance. Bring your list, your health insurance card, a form of identification and a method of payment.
Step 4
Tell your doctor or dentist about your symptoms. Ask whether antiviral drugs are right for you. If you have liver or kidney problems or you have used antiviral drugs in the past, be sure to mention this to your doctor or dentist because it may influence the type and dose of medication she prescribes.
Step 5
Fill your prescription promptly. Ask the pharmacist for any special instructions, especially if you take other prescription medications.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Step 1
Brush your teeth and the surface of your tongue. Do not brush the fever blister directly, since this can cause tissue damage that increases the risk of infection and scarring.
Step 2
Floss.
Step 3
Rinse with antiseptic mouthwash.
Step 4
Repeat at least twice a day, preferably after every meal.
Tips and Warnings
- Avoid spicy or acid foods and foods that are sharp or hard until the fever blister heals. Resist the temptation to pick or poke at fever blisters. This delays healing and increases the risk of infections and scarring. Always complete the prescribed course of antiviral drugs, even if your symptoms subside sooner. Antiviral drugs do not specifically target pain or itching due to fever blisters. MayoClinic.com recommends over-the-counter, topical pain relievers that contain lidocaine, tetracaine, benzocaine, camphor or benzyl alcohol to relieve pain or itching from a fever blister. Alternatively, consider oral acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- Contact your doctor or dentist again if your fever blister does not resolve within two weeks. Delayed healing may be a sign of a complication, such as infection, or another condition, such as oral cancer.
Things You'll Need
- Datebook
- Pen or pencil
- Paper
References
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; "The Treatment of Herpes Simplex Infections; C. Cernik et al.; 2008
- Mayo Clinic: Cold Sores: Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Academy of General Dentistry: What Are Cold Sores?
