In the 2008 edition of "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," University of Washington Professor of Virology Dr. Lawrence Corey explains that fever blisters, also known as cold sores, result from infection with the herpes simplex virus. Fever blisters usually resolve within seven to 10 days with no treatment at all. Corey says that prescription antiviral drugs can reduce the healing time by half. Practicing good oral hygiene also contributes to healing and reduces the risk of secondary bacterial infections.
See Your Doctor
Step 1
Make an appointment with your health care provider. Have your datebook and a pen handy when you call, so you can write down the date, time and any additional instructions.
Step 2
Prepare for the appointment. MayoClinic.com recommends making a list of all your symptoms, the names and doses of any medications you take--including over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements--and any questions you would like to ask. If it's a new health care provider, you should also write down your medical history, including any past or upcoming dental work.
Step 3
Arrive at the appointment at least 10 minutes early. Bring the list you prepared, your health insurance card, a form of identification and a method of payment.
Step 4
Talk to your doctor about your symptoms. Be sure to mention whether you have any lesions inside your mouth, flu-like symptoms such as fever, or eye pain, as well as any history of kidney or immune system problems.
Step 5
Fill your prescription promptly if your doctor gives you one. Ask your pharmacist for any additional instructions or recommendations.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Step 1
Brush your teeth at least two times per day, including before bed.
Step 2
Floss after each brushing, or at least before bed.
Step 3
Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash that contains alcohol or menthol.
Step 4
Pat the outside of your mouth dry.
Step 5
Apply aloe vera lip balm to any fever blisters on the lips or outside the mouth. The Academy of General Dentistry says that lip balm speeds healing and reduces the risk of infection for lesions outside the mouth.
Tips and Warnings
- Take a picture of your fever blisters, in case they change before you see your doctor. If you have lesions inside your mouth, avoid spicy, acidic or hard foods to prevent additional tissue damage. For recurrent outbreaks of fever blisters, ask your doctor about using antiviral drugs preventively.
- In the 2008 edition of "Basic and Clinical Pharmacology," University of California-San Francisco Professor Dr. Sharon Safrin says that about 10 percent of people who take antiviral drugs for fever blisters experience side effects such as headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Two percent of patients who use topical preparations sometimes experience a local site reaction, consisting of dryness, itching, redness and irritation of the surround skin. Patients who experience side effects should discontinue use and contact their doctors for instructions.
Things You'll Need
- Aloe vera lip balm
References
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 23rd Edition"; A.S. Fauci et al.; 2008
- Academy of General Dentistry: What Are Cold Sores?
- MayoClinic.com: Cold Sores
