Fever blisters, also known as cold sores, have been annoying humans since the days of ancient Rome when an epidemic of the problem actually caused Emperor Tiberius to ban kissing at public ceremonies. Tiberius was on to something because this condition is highly contagious when the blisters are present. Herpes simplex virus is a contagious organism that causes both fever blisters and genital herpes. Zinc oxide is a preventive strategy and also one of the treatments for fever blisters.
Herpes Simplex
Herpes simplex virus comes in two forms. Type 1 usually causes fever blisters, while Type 2 results in genital herpes. But oral-genital sex when blisters are present can result in an infection by either type. The virus usually remains dormant in the mucous membranes of the mouth, lips or throat and causes eruptions of painful blisters in or around the mouth. Blisters also may occur in or around the nose and occasionally on the chin or cheeks. Outbreaks usually result from something that weakens the body’s defenses, such as fever, stress or sunburn.
Fever Blisters
Although herpes virus lesions will heal on their own in about two weeks, they are painful and unsightly. The blisters form yellowish crusts that ooze a clear fluid and eventually scab over, leaving a red mark on the skin. Treatments are usually focused on relieving pain, preventing or controlling secondary infections from bacteria and keeping the blister crusts soft to prevent cracking and bleeding.
Zinc Oxide as Sunscreen
Zinc oxide is used for two purposes in relation to fever blisters: preventing sunburn and speeding healing. Prevention is important because fever blisters tend to recur once you have had an outbreak. Zinc has a long history of use to help heal wounds. As a sunscreen, zinc oxide ointment sits on top of the skin rather than being absorbed. The thick white ointment reflects and scatters sunlight.
Zinc Oxide as Treatment
As a treatment, zinc oxide has been found helpful in shortening the healing time for fever blisters. A controlled, double-blind study reported in the May/June 2001 “Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine” studied volunteers who had herpes infections on or around the mouth. Study participants used either a placebo or a zinc oxide/glycine cream every two hours until the cold sore resolved or 21 days had elapsed. Those who started using the zinc oxide cream within 24 hours of symptom onset shortened the healing time by an average of five days and reported reduced burning, itching, tingling and blistering.
References
- “Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine”; A Randomized Clinical Trial on the Treatment of Oral Herpes With Topical Zinc Oxide/Glycine; H.R. Godfrey, et al.; May-June 2001
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research; Fever Blisters and Canker Sores; July 1992
- University of Maryland: Zinc
- MayoClinic.com: Cold Sore
- “Chemical and Engineering News”; Sunscreens; Marc Reisch; June 2002
