Fever Blisters and Cold Sores
Cold sores and fever blisters are often used interchangeably.
This means that these two terms refer to only one
condition. This is the ulceration or sores in the
lip and the skin surrounding the lip caused by infection
called herpes simplex or oral herpes. Because this
may be painful, often the same medication for migraine
is what you use to help manage the pain caused by
cold sores or fever blisters.
You however do not interchange fever blisters with
canker sores. This is because canker sores are fluid-filled
blisters that happen inside the mouth, while cold
sores or fever blisters are fluid-filled blisters;
most commonly painful that happens in the lip and
the skin surrounding the lip.
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Cold sore or fever blisters may be painful and thus understanding its causes, symptoms and how to treat them may be useful for those people who are at risk of this uncomfortable soreness.
What are the Causes of Cold Sores or Fever Blisters
• Injury or scrape in and around the lip
• Too much exposure to the sun
• Physical illness including colds
• Emotional Stress and fatigue
• Hormonal changes among pregnant women and women in their menstrual cycle
What are the Symptoms of Cold Sores or Fever Blisters
Cold sores or fever blisters will affect individuals with decreased immune system. It may be a result of the above causes but other factors may also be considered. It is a helpful advice to understand its symptoms in order to help yourself and those you love to avoid them.
Initially, sufferer will feel numbness, tingling, itching or burning in and around the lips.
Slowly, small patches of ulceration or blisters may form in the same area that felt numb or itchy.
These blisters will form in clusters and eventually lead to the development of one bigger blister. At this stage, the fever blisters will be painful excruciatingly.
The blisters may dry-out and may flake especially in the areas that are not moistened often. This flaking may lead to bleeding and thus will subject you to more infection.
Cold sores or fever blisters may be gone in one to two weeks, and may not leave scars but the discomfort may be severe that normal performance of routinary work may be a challenge for the sufferer.
Fever blisters or cold sores are contagious. Simple contacts such as rubbing and kissing may be an agent for the transfer and spreading of fever blister.
It is therefore important that should you experience conditions that may lead to cold sores or fever blister, you may need to ensure you will mange it immediately. This is because the discomfort that you feel may be transferred to your children and surely, you would not want this.
Treatment of Fever Blisters or Cold Sores
As of this time, there is still no known cure for cold sores. Actually, even the cause may be hard to single out. Treatments are only directed in shortening the existence of the blisters and the discomfort.
Treatment or therapy includes ointment to, antibiotics and pain relievers. All of them are intended to shorten the existence of pain and of the blisters.
There are also home remedies that may help you manage the discomfort of having these ulcers such as applying ice every five to ten minutes upon appearance of the cold sore blisters.
You may also use moistened tea bags pressed on the blisters every five to ten minutes. The tannic acid in the tea has antiviral properties.
Powdered common salt and spirit of camphor may also be helpful in shortening the appearance of the cold sores.
Combining treatment with home care remedies may be
helpful to manage the pain and shorten the appearance
of the blisters. However, strengthening your immune
system and avoiding exposure to too much sun and stress
may be your best defense to avoid the development
of fever blisters or cold sores.
Go to our Cold Sore Treatment page
