Fever Blisters also known as Herpes labialis, and cold sores are painful lesions which usually form on the lips, chin, cheeks, or nostrils. The blisters typically turn into yellow-crusted sores and then disappear within a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, people who get cold sores, which are caused by the herpes simplex virus (usually type 1), generally get outbreaks over and over again, and they are highly contagious. While there is no cure or vaccine at this time, there are things you can do to ease the pain of cold sores, speed up their healing, and stop their spread. There are two types of HSV, type I and type II. In general, type I, also known as herpes labialis, causes infections above the waist, most commonly as oral "cold sores." Type II infections occur mainly below the waist, leading to genital herpes. However, both types of HSVs are capable of infecting the skin at any location on the body.

Treatment of Fever Blisters

Cold sores and fever blisters can be treated with antiviral medications. These medications are of little value if therapy is started after the blisters appear. Antiviral creams applied directly to the sores shorten the healing time by less than one day. Antiviral drugs taken by mouth can help to prevent cold sores in tropical locations where exposure to the sun can trigger an outbreak.

Sores caused by Herpes often come back again and again. The antiviral medicines work best if you take it when the virus is just starting to come back -- before you see any sores. If you the virus returns frequently, your doctor may recommend that you take the medicines all the time.

Cold Sore Treatment - Acyclovir 5% cream (Zovirax) is also FDA approved for the treatment of recurrent cold sores. Oral acyclovir given five times a day for primary gingivostomatitis in children shortened the course from 10 days to four days and reduced the duration of fever, eating and drinking difficulties, and viral shedding.

Cold Sore Treatment - Famciclovir is approved by the FDA for treatment of cold sores. If started at the first sign of symptoms, taking Famvir 1500 mg once shortened the herpes infection by two days.

Cold Sore Treatment - Valacyclovir is approved by the FDA to treat cold sores. If started at the first sign of symptoms, taking Valtrex 2 gm twice a day for one day shortened the herpes infection by a little over one day.

Cold Sore Treatment - Suppression Therapy taking medication every day to prevent outbreaks, is not yet FDA-approved. Other possibilities are famciclovir 250 mg twice a day or valacyclovir 500 mg once a day.

Prevention and care for Fever Blisters

Wind and other weather conditions also can trigger cold sores if your lips become too dry. It also helps to keep the affected area clean and to apply soothing lip balm if the lips are involved. Try not to touch the affected area and avoid kissing anyone while you have blisters and sores.

A mud-mask product is excellent for an oozing cold sore. Apply it to the sore at night to help dry it up. It will heal faster as well. To hide it during the day, use a lip liner brush (which you disinfect afterwards) and mix a bit of lipstick with the mud.

If the sore erupts on your lips, apply lib balm several times a day. If applied from the start of the outbreak this can stop the blister from forming into a scab and therefore reduce the length of the outbreak.

Be careful - if you press too hard on the sore you can break it and cause it to scab.

A cheap solution to easing the pain is the use of oral anesthetics like Chloraseptic. It can be applied several times a day with the use of a Q-tip.

Some people apply gel antiperspirant to the cold sore at night to dry and speed healing.

Some find that the prescription medicine Valtrex is the best way to get rid of a cold sore; see a doctor if you would like to pursue this treatment direction.

As soon as you feel or suspect the onset of an outbreak, immediately apply an ice cube to the affected area until it begins to be painful, then warm the area up. Repeat this on and off for several minutes at a time and you may prevent the outbreak entirely.

Avoid direct contact with cold sores or other herpes lesions. Minimize the risk of indirect spread by thoroughly washing items in hot (preferably boiling) water before re-use.

Do not share items with an infected person, especially when herpes lesions are active. Avoid precipitating causes (especially sun exposure) if prone to oral herpes.