The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research estimates that 500,000 Americans experience their first bout of fever blisters each year. Some people experience symptoms that are so mild, they do not notice them. Others experience tingling, burning, soreness or increased sensitivity, followed by the painful, itchy blisters and sores that most people recognize as fever blisters. Fever blisters usually resolve without treatment within 7 to 10 days. For people who don't want to wait, using antiviral drugs at the first sign of symptoms can make a fever blister go away faster.
See Your Doctor or Dentist
Step 1
Make an appointment with your doctor or dentist at the first sign of a fever blister. Have your date book, a pen and a piece of paper handy when you call, so you can write down the date, time and any special instructions.
Step 2
Prepare a list of the names and doses of all of the medications you take regularly, taking care to include over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements. If your appointment is not the same day, consider taking a digital photo of the lesion in case it changes before your appointment.
Step 3
Arrive at your appointment at least 10 minutes in advance. Be sure to bring your health insurance card, a form of identification, a method of payment and your list of the medications you take.
Step 4
Ask your doctor or dentist whether prescription antiviral drugs such as valacyclovir, acyclovir and famciclovir are right for you. Be sure to mention whether this is your first bout of fever blisters, or if you have used prescription antiviral drugs in the past.
Step 5
Take the medication as directed, if you receive a prescription. Since patients typically take acyclovir five times per day during waking hours, and valacyclovir or famciclovir every 12 hours, you may need to plan ahead and carry medication with you when you leave your home.
Practice Good Skin Hygiene
Step 1
Wash the affected area with mild soap and water twice a day. Handle fever blisters gently because scratching or scraping them increases the risk of scarring or secondary bacterial infections.
Step 2
Pat dry gently with a disposable towel.
Step 3
Apply lip balm to keep the lesions moist.
Step 4
Wash your hands thoroughly.
Step 5
Dry with a disposable towel.
Tips and Warnings
- The Academy of General Dentistry specifically recommends lip balms that contain aloe because they enhance healing. Sharing objects such as towels, utensils and cosmetics can spread the virus that causes fever blisters. You should use disposable towels until your symptoms resolve, and refrain from sharing other objects that may come into contact with your fever blisters. If your fever blisters develop partially adherent scabs, try rubbing them gently with a small amount of olive oil to soften and loosen excess debris.
- Antiviral drugs works best when they're started as soon as symptoms appear. If you wait more than four days, they may have no effect. If you have an established relationship with a health care provider, he may be willing to prescribe antiviral medications over the phone. If you go into the office, ask about refills since some people experience recurrent outbreaks of fever blisters.
Things You'll Need
- Lip balm
- Paper towels
References
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General
- Academy of General Dentistry: What Are Cold Sores?
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; "The Treatment of Herpes Simplex Infections; Christina Cernik, M.D., et al.; 2008
