Treatment of Fever Blisters

Dear Ask The Doctor: I have had fever blisters(cold sores) since I was alittle girl. Is there anything I can do to help prevent breakouts or to make them go away faster. i have them on my lips,sometimes on my nose but have never had them on the inside of my mouth or any where else.

Dear Cathy: Hello, I comprehend your worry about Fever Blisters. These are tiny, clear, fluid filled blisters caused by an infection with Herpes Virus type 1 that most often occur on the face, around the lips, nostrils or they could be present anywhere in the body as well. Less frequently, Type 1 infections can occur in the genital area. Type 1 may also develop in wounds on the skin.

Usually people get this infection when young and the virus remains dormant in the body specifically in the nerves close to the area of primary infection. People may then have a recurrence either in the same location as the first infection or in a nearby site. The infection may recur every few weeks or not at all, unfortunately there is no cure for this virus but there are some medications that will accelerate the process during recurrences.

Antiviral medications such as Acyclovir could be prescribed by your doctor to speed up healing and reduce the severity of an outbreak; you could also try over the counter topical ointments for the same purpose. Don’t forget to avoid sharing cups, forks or kissing since this virus is contagious and you may transmit it directly. Your toothbrush can keep re infect you; throw it away after an outbreak. I wish you the best.