Conventional Treatment Of Fever Blisters
Its common for people to take ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin, or acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, to reduce the pain of a fever blister. There are side effects to all of these drugs and even a risk of overdose. Do not take more than 4,000 milligrams of Tylenol a day in order to avoid an acetaminophen overdose. For ibuprofen, 800 milligrams four times a day is the safe upper limit.
The most commonly prescribed medications for relieving pain and discomfort from a fever blister are acyclovir , famciclovir and valacyclovir . These antiviral drugs dont cure the virus, and they dont help once the blister appears. You must apply them when you feel a cold sore coming on in order for them to be effective. There are mixed results from antiviral medication studies, but the data shows that drugs like acyclovir can reduce the duration of symptoms when taken at higher doses.
The most frequent reported side effects of oral antiviral medications are headache and nausea, which depend on the dose and duration of treatment.
Anesthetic and antiviral creams are also used to treat fever blisters, including lidocaine, prilocaine, acyclovir and penciclovir creams. Both cyclovir and penciclovir reduce the duration of cold sore pain and time to recovery, but they must be applied several times throughout the day, especially penciclovir.
Signs And Symptoms Of A Cold Sore
When youve had cold sore outbreaks in the past, you already know the signs of recurrence. Here are the common signs and symptoms:
- Tingling or burning sensations in the seam of your lips or on your face. This usually happens a few days before the blister appears. When you notice this sign, start treatment as soon as possible.
- A small inflamed blister forms that are red and full of fluid. Sometimes, the virus will cause a cluster of painful and tender blisters. You can also have more than one sore develop.
- These painful sores will usually be present for up to 14 days. Until they burst and scab over, they will be contagious. If you have contact with the HSV1 virus, it may take up to 20 days for the first cold sore to appear.
Cause Of Fever Blisters
Alice,
What causes fever blisters on lips and how should they be treated? Also, what is the difference between fever blisters and shingles?
â Sores
Dear Sores,
Fever blisters, or what is more commonly referred to as cold sores, can occur around a person’s mouth, or on one’s lips and face. Colds sores are commonly caused by the herpes simplex 1 virus . Shingles is also caused by the herpes virus , but has slightly different symptoms and methods of transmission.
More about fever blisters and cold sores: HSV-1typically affects the mouth and facial areas, although it can be transmitted to the genital area through oral-genital sex. Herpes simplex two most commonly affects the genital area, but may also cause blisters on the mouth. The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with a lesion, through contact with fluid from a lesion, and through contact with the virus even when no symptoms are present in the infected person.
The first outbreak is usually the worst and lasts the longest. After this outbreak, the virus lives in the nerve pathways around the area of the initial infection. The virus symptoms can and probably will recur, at the same site, but they will be much less serious than the first outbreak. Often HSV-1 may be reactivated because of circumstances such as extensive sun exposure, elevated stress, fever, and hormone fluctuations.
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There Is A Very Strong Link Between Stress And The Appearance Of A Cold Sore
There is one possible reason why the pandemic is causing triggering cold sore attacks, but that reason has nothing to do with wearing a mask. One particular study has established what it called a “robust relationship” between stress which the pandemic has brought on in spades and cold sores .
“Stress can weaken your immune system, which may be a trigger for cold sores to reemerge. If you suffer from cold sores and think they may be caused by stress, it’s a good idea to manage your stress via mediation or other relaxation techniques,” Donald Brown, primary care doctor at Houston Methodist says. He added, “If you’ve noticed that your flare-ups are linked to sunlight, be sure to apply sunscreen or sun-protective lip balm before going out in the sun.”
Cue the face mask, which can both keep sunlight away, and keep you from touching your cold sore. A face mask can even hide a sore if you’re not happy with the way it looks.
What Are The Symptoms
The first symptoms of cold sores may include a spot that tingles, burns, or itches around your mouth and on your lips. You may also have a fever, a sore throat, or swollen glands in your neck or other parts of the body. Small children sometimes drool before cold sores appear. After the blisters appear, the cold sores usually break open, leak a clear fluid, and then crust over and disappear after several days to 2 weeks. For some people, cold sores can be very painful.
Some people have the virus but don’t get cold sores. They have no symptoms.
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See A Doctor Never Assume Anxiety
If you’ve checked your temperature and you see that you have a fever, or you simply feel ill, see your doctor. Only a doctor can diagnose the cause of a fever and ensure that you’re in good health. Even though anxiety causes a lot of different physical problems, anxiety is also generally harmless and a health issue is not. Never be afraid to visit a doctor if you’re concerned.
Five Stages Of A Cold Sore
It often seems like a cold sore can develop overnight and plague you for days. Most cold sores go through five stages before they disappear. Again, the best time to treat them is to notice the initial signs in the first stage.
First stage: You will usually feel tingling, irritation, and itching around your mouth or other areas of your face about one day before you see blisters appear.
Second stage: Small inflamed blisters filled with fluid erupt on the seam of your lips or your face. They burn and itch profusely.
Third stage: The blister or cluster of blisters burst and ooze fluid, then turn into sores that are painful and tender to the touch.
Fourth stage: As the sores dry over a few days, they will seal over with a cracking scab that continues to itch, burn, and occasionally bleed.
Fifth stage: The crusty scab finally peels away, and the cold sore is healed. Unless youve picked at the scab and caused further inflammation, cold sores rarely leave scars.
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Over The Counter Medications For Cold Sores And Fever Blisters
- Brand names listed as examples do not imply better quality over other brands. Generic equivalents may also exist.
- Use only as directed on the package, unless your healthcare provider instructs you to do otherwise.
- OTCs may interact with other medications or be potentially harmful if you have certain medical conditions. Talk to your pharmacist about options that are right for you.
example:L-Lysine®
How Are Cold Sores Treated
Cold sores cant be cured, but, if symptoms are severe, treatment may help relieve some symptoms. Treatment may include:
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Antiviral topical ointments
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Antiviral oral medications
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Over-the-counter topical anesthetics or anti-inflammatory agents may help with symptoms
Cold sores take about 1 to 3 weeks to heal. The first time they appear, they can take up to 3 weeks to heal. But, when cold sores return, they usually take a week to heal if no medicines are used. Antiviral medications may help, but they need to be started before day 3 or 4 of the blister formation. Antivirals are usually not recommended for otherwise healthy people. Always consult your health care provider or dentist if the sore does not heal or becomes worse as time passes.
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Are Fever Blisters Contagious
Fever blisters are generally contagious which can be passed on from one person to another. The mode of transmission is via close personal contact with a person infected with the HSV-1 virus or with the HSV-2 virus. HSV-1 commonly affects the oral cavity and kissing is one way of passing on the virus. HSV-2 virus can also cause fever blisters although this virus often affects the genitalia. Oral sex is one way of transmitting the virus to an uninfected person.
What Causes Cold Sores
When we ask what causes cold sores in the mouth and on the lips?, we really should be asking ‘what triggers cold sores?’. The herpes simplex virus is the initial cause of the infection without it there are no cold sores or blisters but the blisters themselves are often triggered by psychological and environmental factors, such as stress or a coldi.
Triggers of cold sore outbreaks vary from person to person. What causes cold sores to appear for one person may not be the same for another. It’s important to figure out your likeliest cold sore triggers so you can avoid them, or at least manage symptoms more quickly and effectively when they occur.
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Can Cold Sores Be Prevented
If you have never had a cold sore, avoid skin-to-skin contact with someone who has an active cold sore. If you have had a cold sore, you may prevent or reduce the number of recurrences by determining what triggers your outbreaks and avoiding the trigger. For instance, if sun exposure is a trigger, use sun screen when in the sun. If you have frequent outbreaks, consult with your health care provider. Starting treatment as soon as you know you are developing a cold sore can promote healing and reduce the time it takes a cold sore to heal.
When To Be Concerned
If your cold sore does not go away within two weeks, you should contact your health care provider. People with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for complications from cold sores than others.
Other things to watch for and seek medical treatment for include:
- Infection or blisters on the eye
- Cold sores all over the body
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Triggers For Cold Sores
In some people the HSV infection causes cold sores, which erupt following a trigger event such as a cold. This explains the term cold sore. Other triggers that may cause an attack of cold sores include:
- feverish illnesses, like influenza, or chest infections
- sunlight
- hormonal changes, such as the menstrual period
- emotional or physical stress.
It is important to remember that cold sores are a symptom of ongoing infection rather than a new infection. The sores usually recur in the same place.
What Are The Best Ways To Get Rid Of A Cold Sore
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for cold sores, and it can take between two to four weeks for a cold sore to heal on its own. But, there are things you can do to make them go away faster.
Here are three things that can help soothe a cold sore or make it clear up faster:
1. Try home remedies. When used early, there are several remedies that can help ease the pain and reduce swelling and may even shorten the duration of a cold sore:
- Cold, damp washcloth
- Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen
2. Apply topical creams and ointments. There are a few over-the-counter anesthetic ointments and creams that can help control pain, such as lidocaine or benzocaine. Some products, such as those containing docosanol or benzyl alcohol, may even promote faster healing when used early and in plentiful amounts.
3. Take prescription medications. There are antiviral drugs that can help cold sores heal faster, including acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir and penciclovir. If you’re having frequent outbreaks or experiencing some of the serious side effects of having a cold sore, your doctor may consider prescribing antiviral medication.
“To get rid of a cold sore quickly, the best thing you can do is start treating it as soon as possible,” says Dr. Brown. “A burning or tingling sensation on your lips or face can be an early warning sign that a cold sore is developing, and the earlier you start reducing swelling and treating the cold sore, the faster it will heal.”
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How To Avoid Transmitting Hsv
If you have a cold sore, be sure to wash your hands after touching it and be especially careful to avoid touching your own eyes after touching your cold sore. It is the fluid contained in the blisters that is considered to be the most infectious. While you have a cold sore it is also important to avoid:
- sharing toothbrushes
- sharing drinking glasses or bottles
- sharing cutlery
- sharing towels or other personal items
- close contact with newborn and young babies
- kissing others
- close contact with children with burns or eczema
- close contact with people with suppressed immune systems.
What Causes Vaginal Blisters
There are many causes of vaginal blisters, most of which can be avoided with proper nutrition, practicing safe sex, and good hygiene. The most common causes of vaginal blisters are infections and sexually transmitted diseases . They can also be caused by poor nutrition, stress, clothing, and some recreational activities.
Blisters can develop on the vagina due to a bacterial or fungal infection. These infections can develop from wearing bathing suits or synthetic undergarments. The warm, moist environment that these items form can create a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus, which can cause vaginal blisters to form. Using pools or hot tubs that do not have the proper ratio of chemicals can also cause infections, and therefore blisters, to emerge.
STDs are one of the leading causes of vaginal blisters, especially genital herpes. This disorder causes groupings of blisters to form on and around the vagina they are usually very painful and often burst and crust over. Herpes can be prevented by practicing safe sex, although it is not curable once it is contracted. Some medicines can be taken to reduce the amount of vaginal blisters and limit the possibility of transmission to a sexual partner.
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How Stress Affects Skin
Stress causes a chemical response in your body that makes skin more sensitive and reactive. It can also make it harder for skin problems to heal.
Have you ever noticed that you break out more when youre stressed? This is because stress causes your body to make hormones like cortisol, which tells glands in your skin to make more oil. Oily skin is more prone to acne and other skin problems.
Stress can also:
Make skin problems worse. For example, stress can aggravate psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema. It can also cause hives and other types of skin rashes and trigger a flare-up of fever blisters.
Interfere with daily skin care. If youre stressed, you might skimp on this part of your routine, which can aggravate skin issues.
It can also be stressful to have problems with your skin. Some people feel so bad about how it looks that they keep to themselves, which adds more stress.
If you have an issue that doesn’t heal or keeps coming back, rethink how you handle stress.
What Triggers A Cold Sore
After you have been infected with HSV-1, the virus never goes away. It remains dormant in a group of nerve cells in your face called the trigeminal ganglion.
When the virus is triggered, or activated, it wakes up and travels through your nerves to your lips, where a cold sore develops. After an outbreak, the virus goes back to sleep in your body.
What triggers a cold sore in one person might not cause an outbreak in another person. Some people with HSV-1 never develop a cold sore.
A cold sore can be activated by a variety of factors, including:
- Hormonal changes during menstruation or pregnancy
- Sunburn
- Fever and illness, such as cold or flu
- Damaged, dry or cracked lips
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What Can I Do To Help Relieve Symptoms Of Cold Sores
While cold sores are uncomfortable, you can find relief at home. Suggestions to help manage cold sores:
- Use over-the-counter creams and ointments: These remedies can help shorten the healing time and ease your symptoms. They are most effective when you use them as soon as you feel a cold sore coming on.
- Take pain relievers: If you are in a lot of pain, your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter topical pain reliever such as lidocaine that you can apply directly to the cold sore. You can also take acetaminophen or ibuprofen by mouth to ease your discomfort.
- Wear sunscreen and SPF lip balm: It is important to make sure a cold sore doesnt get sunburned while it is healing. Also, wearing a lip balm with SPF 30 every day could prevent future cold sores.
- Avoid acidic foods: Orange juice, tomatoes and other acidic foods can aggravate a cold sore.
- Apply a cool compress: You can use a cool, damp washcloth to soothe a cold sore. Apply it for a few minutes off and on throughout the day. Be sure to wash the towel after youve used it to avoid spreading the cold sore to others.
