What makes fever blisters go away fast?
Are you tired of looking like you just ate a sour lemon and now have the scariest lip expression ever? Fever blisters can be quite annoying, especially when they appear on your face. The good news is that they don’t last forever, but how do we make them disappear faster?
Understanding Fever Blisters
To begin with, it’s important to understand what fever blisters are. These small, painful sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1). HSV-1 is highly contagious and easily spread through saliva or direct contact with an infected person.
Once you’re infected with the virus, it stays dormant in your body until something triggers it to become active again. This can include stress, illness, hormonal changes or even exposure to sunlight.
When a fever blister erupts on your lips or face, it usually takes around 7-10 days for it to heal completely. Some people may experience longer healing times if their immune system is weaker than others’.
Now that we know what causes fever blisters let’s look at some ways to alleviate discomfort and make them go away fast!
Home Remedies
There are many home remedies that have been passed down from generation to generation for managing fever blisters. Some popular ones include:
Tea Bags
The tannins found in black tea bags can help dry out fever blister faster while also providing relief from pain and inflammation. Simply steep a tea bag in boiling water for several minutes then place it directly onto the blistered area for about 15-20 minutes.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel has natural anti-inflammatory properties making it effective at reducing swelling and soreness associated with fever blisters. Apply fresh aloe vera gel directly onto affected areas three times daily till symptoms subside.
Garlic
Raw garlic contains allicin, a compound that has antiviral properties. Crush one or two raw garlic cloves then apply the paste on your fever blistered area for 15-20 minutes daily.
Over-The-Counter Treatments
Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments are available to alleviate symptom severity and make healing faster.
Abreva
Abreva is an FDA-approved topical medication that’s specifically designed to treat cold sores caused by HSV1. Apply it five times per day directly onto affected areas until symptoms disappear completely.
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen helps reduce inflammation and relieve pain associated with fever blisters. Take 200mg of ibuprofen up to three times daily after meals until symptoms improve.
Prescription Medications
If home remedies and OTC treatments have no effect, you may need prescription drugs as they can aid in treating severe cases of HSV infection.
Antivirals
These prescription medications help treat herpes outbreaks by decreasing viral replication speed thereby curbing spread of the virus which causing outbreaks like fever blisters overall improving mouth-related conditions resulting from HSV infection. Effective antivirals include acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir(Famvir), valacyclovir(Valtrex)
Prevention Tips
As with any health condition, prevention is always better than cure when it comes to preventing fever blisters!
The following tips are useful for avoiding contamination:
- Avoid close physical contact with individuals with visible cold sores during active stages.
- If you have an outbreak yourself, avoid touching other parts of your body till its healed
- Always practice good hygiene habits by regularly washing hands using soap and water before eating or after handling anything dirty or contaminated
- Do not share personal items such as razors towels straws utensils etc which come into direct contact with a person’s lip/mouth
- Wear sunscreen anytime you expose your lips to direct sunlight.
Final Thoughts
It’s never fun dealing with painful fever blisters, but thankfully there are plenty of ways to manage and alleviate symptoms. If home remedies and OTC medications aren’t effective, be sure to consult a doctor who can recommend prescription drugs or more advanced practices for fast healing!
Hey there, I’m Dane Raynor, and I’m all about sharing fascinating knowledge, news, and hot topics. I’m passionate about learning and have a knack for simplifying complex ideas. Let’s explore together!
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