Quick Overview: Fever Blister Treatment

This morning, you felt a tingling, sensitive spot near your mouth, and now a red sore has appeared on your upper lip. It eventually transforms into a fluid-filled blister and after about a week, forms a yellow crust before healing. Could it be a canker sore? A pimple? If it's on your lip or around your mouth (though it can appear on your chin, cheeks, or even nostrils), chances are you're dealing with a fever blister.

Fever blisters, also known as cold sores, are the result of the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This virus is highly contagious and comes in two forms: HSV-1, which usually causes oral sores, and HSV-2, which is more commonly associated with genital sores.

While there's no cure for the herpes virus, there are ways to ease symptoms during an outbreak, which generally lasts up to a week.

Mild outbreaks can often be managed at home without a prescription. Over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen can help reduce discomfort, and applying topical solutions like lidocaine or benzyl alcohol directly to the sores can temporarily relieve pain. Certain factors like stress, illness, or prolonged sun exposure without protection can trigger an outbreak. Women may also experience outbreaks that coincide with their menstrual cycle.

For frequent outbreaks or more severe cases, your doctor may suggest antiviral medications. These medications speed up healing (though the reduction in outbreak duration may only be by a day or less) and can also alleviate symptoms. Additionally, some prescription treatments are designed to suppress the virus and prevent the appearance of fever blisters altogether.