Fever blisters are also known as cold sores. They tend to appear around the nose, mouth, lips and gums in the form of small, fluid filled blisters that are itchy and painful. They are extremely contagious and are caused by a virus known as the Herpes Simplex Virus.  Most people are exposed to the virus before the age of twenty, with the majority of those who are exposed catching the virus as children.

Many more people carry the herpes simplex virus than show symptoms; there are some lucky people who have the virus and who never know it. The fever blisters make themselves known with a tingling, itchy sensation that eventually turns to a red, weeping blister. The blister eventually crusts over and then disappears. There is no cure for the herpes virus – once you have it it remains in your system for the rest of your life, and fever blisters can reappear at any time.

Origin of the Term Fever Blister

Although many people refer to cold sores as fever blisters, the term is a misnomer – cold sores are not caused by a fever. They do, however, often appear when a person’s immune system is compromised, so it is not uncommon for them to pop up when you are tired, rundown or sick. But even though this is when they tend to appear, it is important to remember that these sores are caused by a virus that is lying  dormant in your body. It is not caused by an infection or cold.

Old Wives Tales for Treating Fever Blisters

Fever blisters and cold sores have been around for a very long time and they impact a large percentage of people. Because of this, people have been trying to come up with cures for the annoying, embarrassing outbreaks for a long time. There is no cure for cold sores because once the virus is in your system it never goes away, but there are medications that are available to shorten the length and severity of an outbreak. These medicines can go a long way to eliminate the pain, stop the sores from spreading, and make the sores go away much faster. Still, many people prefer to treat their fever blisters by following advice that they find from friends or that have been handed down through the years. These types of stories are known as old wives’ tales. Although they will not actually cure or kill the virus as some people think, they may alleviate some of the cold sores more painful or annoying aspects.

Tea Bags

One of the most popular methods of treating cold sores when they arise is to use tea bags. People have said that if you wet a black tea bag and then press it against your cold sores, it will help them to heal faster and prevent their spread. Although it is not true that the tea bag will cure your cold sore or help it to heal faster, there is some evidence that the tannins in the tea bag may help prevent the spread of the virus. They also are known to have anti-inflammatory properties, so they may make you feel better. But they won’t help you heal any faster.

Vaseline

Some people believe that if they put Vaseline on a cold sore it will isolate the lesion, preventing it from spreading. Some people even believe that somehow putting the greasy substance on the lesion suffocates it and kills the virus that makes the outbreak occur. The truth is that these people are on the right track in believing that the spread of the virus needs to be stopped, but that can only be done with medication. Vaseline will help by keeping the lesion from cracking and bleeding, but that moisturizing effect is the only benefit.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide is a solution that is often used for cleansing and for its antiseptic properties. Though many think that using hydrogen peroxide on a fever blister will dry it up, making it less likely that new blisters will form and cutting down on the amount of time that you are contagious, it is really just making sure that there are now additional germs impacting the lesion that is developing. If you use hydrogen peroxide, you should mix it in a one to one ratio before applying to your skin, and be aware that it may sting.

Licorice

Licorice has been said to have some antiviral properties, which means that it can suppress the impact of a virus and prevent against it flaring up. Black licorice root used to be present in licorice candy, but it isn’t generally used any longer, so if you want to try to use licorice to cut down on the impact of your cold sores, you should try licorice tea, either by drinking it or by pressing a soaked tea bag against your sores.