Overview
The tingling, burning or itching, associated with a cold sore or fever blister can be a nuisance. Within 24 to 48 hours, after these symptoms the fever blisters appear. These blisters caused by herpes simplex virus form painful cold sores and can eventually be covered by crusts. Let us avoid this discomfort and learn how to get rid of a fever blister in 24 hours and help you look for the right fever blister medicine for you.
How to get rid of fever blisters fast?
Let us address all treatment options for fever blisters and figure out:
- How to make a fever blister go away?
- How do you get rid of fever blisters?
- What to put on a fever blister
- How to stop a fever blister?
- How to treat a fever blister?
- How to cure a fever blister?
- What’s good for a fever blister?
Without any form of treatment, a fever blister may last up to 2 weeks. Treating fever blisters can involve natural remedies and antiviral drugs. However, antivirals help speed up the healing process and decrease the viral load. The best medicine for fever blisters can vary according to your presenting symptoms or the severity of your condition.
Research suggests that antiviral pills such as Acyclovir, Valacyclovir and Famciclovir, are effective at reducing the duration of symptoms. Topical antiviral treatments are considered less effective.
Fever blister treatment options comprise of the following medications:
- Acyclovir(Xerese/Zovirax)
- Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
- Famciclovir (Famvir)
- Penciclovir(Denavir)
All these antivirals reduce the healing time and reduce viral transmission.
How to choose the right fever blister medication?
Antivirals such as Acyclovir (Zovirax), Valacyclovir (Valtrex) and Famciclovir (Famvir) not only help relieve pain and discomfort, these medicines cure fever blisters and help cold sores heal quicker. Additionally, they reduce the severity of your outbreaks when taken promptly. These antivirals can stop cold sores from appearing in the first place, shortening the duration of the outbreak. The best antiviral to treat your fever blisters will depend on your individual profile so it is best to discuss your condition with your physician.
How fast do fever blister treatments start working?
Symptom relief or healing with medication can be noticed as early as 1-2 days after starting treatment. The intensity of the symptoms usually lessens after a few days, but it may take time for the skin to heal completely. A typical blister episode can last for 2 weeks.
When to consult a doctor?
If your fever blisters don’t show signs of healing even after several days and are accompanied by severe pain, blisters near your eyes, fever, worsening redness or drainage difficulty eating or swallowing, seek immediate medical help. If you have a weakened immune system and a history of frequent outbreaks, you may require suppressive antiviral therapy.
You may not be able to get rid of a fever blister within 24 hours but you can definitely lessen the duration and severity of your outbreak by getting a timely consultation. Our doctors at Your Doctors Online can help you identify outbreak triggers and determine the best course of treatment for you.
FAQs about the fever blister treatment
Fever blisters can be triggered by several factors. The following are some triggers that have been identified:
Fever
Emotional stress
Fatigue
Injury to the affected area
Menstruation
Drastic changes in temperatures
Weakened immune system
Oral herpes virus or HSV-1, the cause behind a cold sore outbreak has several triggers. Fever blisters can appear after a cold or flu and weather changes including exposure to hot or cold temperature can lead to an outbreak. Stress is another factor that causes a fever blister to emerge.
Conditions such as impetigo, canker sores and angular cheilitis can mimic a fever blister.
