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How to Treat a Cold Sore or Fever Blisters

How to Treat a Cold Sore or Fever Blisters

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  1. Be aware of your skin.
  2. Begin damage limitation by starting on anti-viral medication. 
  3. Covering up and concealing weeping sores is often a priority for most sufferers but keep it moist.
  4. If the cold sore has fever like traits, also use fever-reducing pharmaceuticals such as acetaminophen.
  5. Cold sores can be very painful depending on your tolerance level.
  6. Manage your sore.

Equipment

Abreva is a current market leader for the treatment of cold sores. It’s very handy to have sitting around in your medical cabinet at home in preparation for an outbreak.
Abreva

It is suggested that a lysine supplement may prevent outbreaks (an amino acid essential for healthy mouth tissue).
Lysine supplement

How to Treat a Cold Sore or Fever Blisters

Cold sores and fever blisters are the names commonly attributed to the incurable virus, Herpes Simplex. Although incurable and highly contagious, the virus is not permanent, however it strikes through repeatable outbreaks. treatment concentrates on speeding up healing, minimising spread, and easing pain. Be sure that you are actually suffering from cold sores (blisters which progress to painful lesions around the lips, cheeks, nostrils or chin), rather than mouth ulcers or canker sores, as treatment varies depending on the ailment.

Photo Credit: Designlazy.com

Steps

1- Be aware of your skin. Recognise when signs of a potential outbreak are showing. A tight tingling sensation or burning around the mouth is a good indication. Hardened skin or a raise just under the skin are also good indicators. Once an appreciation of a potential outbreak is gained, avoid kissing or other contact activities that may pass on the virus. Wash your hands and everything that you come into contact with frequently. 

2- Begin damage limitation by starting on anti-viral medication. Famciclovir, Acyclovir and Penciclovir are all prescription medications that can help prevent outbreaks. Although successful as a preventative for most, they do not work for everybody. 

3- Covering up and concealing weeping sores is often a priority for most sufferers but keep it moist. A mud mask may help dry sores. Should the sore be on your lip however, it is best to try and keep the sore moist before it scabs. As soon as you notice a blister, treat with a lip balm or similar- be sure not to cross contaminate.

4- If the cold sore has fever like traits, also use fever-reducing pharmaceuticals such as acetaminophen.

5- Cold sores can be very painful depending on your tolerance level. Using ice to cool the affected areas is often effective, but be aware of contamination. Failing that, over the counter medication will ease the pain. Warning: It is best to avoid giving asprin to children due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.

6- Manage your sore. Avoid picking or squeezing it as this will inflame the surrounding area and lead to potential spreading. An untreated cold sore should not last over 2 weeks, but if suffering for a prolonged period, already be ill, be suffering from a particularly severe outbreak, or have herpes in or around your eyes (which may lead to blindness), it may be worth seeking medical advice from a professional.


Tips

Valtrex is a prescription medication that is favoured by many. You can request this from your Doctor should you be finding other methods to be unsuccessful

Stay well screened from the sun- some outbreaks can be triggered by burns or over exposure to UV rays. 

Keep your immune system healthy. Herpes will strike when your immune system is challenged i.e. when you’re run down, unfit, stressed, or have been partying too hard.  

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