What is the quickest way to get rid of a fever blister/cold sore?
449049
I hate cold sores.  Cold sores are caused by the virus known as herpes simplex type I (HSV-1). After the first episode of the disease, the virus lies dormant in the nerves or skin around the original area until something sets the virus off into another eruption. Colds, flu, and even stress can cause you to have an outbreak of cold sores. Why you have an outbreak at one time of life and not another is not clearly understood. \n\nI have found that the only thing that works for me is an antiviral agent such as a drug called acyclovir (Zovirax), and if it is applied at the very first sign of a cold sore then the outbreak will be hardly noticeable.  I have a prescription for this and use it as soon as I get that first tingle that signals an outbreak.\n\nIf you ask your pharmacist, he would be able to direct you to a cold sore treatment readily available that would not require a prescription as Zovirax does.\n\nBelow is a site with a lot more info on cold sores.
918151
anywhere from a teaspoon to a tablespoon of vinegar with a glass of water to wash it down with afterwards.\n\nSeriously.  It'll hurt but wait and see, it will butn the soreness and the infection right out.  Vinegar is GREAT for you!
299920
cold water for minor burns followed by any burn oinment.\n\nyou don't say how big and if it's blistered or not. If it's badly blistered or the skin has come off, go to the doctor now.
567179
What are cold sores? \n\nCold sores, also known as fever blisters, are small red blisters that crop up near the lips or on them. More rarely, they sprout on the roof of the mouth. (Some people confuse them with canker sores, which are painful crater-like sores that appear on the tongue or on the inside of the cheeks.) Despite their name, cold sores actually have nothing to do with colds; they're caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), a close relative of the virus that causes genital herpes. \n\n\n\nHow do you get cold sores? \n\nMost children pick up the virus by sharing food with or kissing someone who has a cold sore. They can also get the infection from someone who doesn't have a visible sore but has the virus in his or her saliva. Once you contract the virus, it stays in your body for good, hiding in nerve cells near your ear. In some people, the virus lies dormant and never causes harm. In others, it periodically wakes up and triggers cold sores. Nobody knows what stirs the virus into action, but stress, fever, colds, and sunburn seem to encourage outbreaks. \n\n\n\nWhat are the symptoms? \n\nChildren don't develop cold sores immediately after the first time they catch the virus. Instead, your child may have swollen gums and a sore feeling in the mouth. A few days later, you may see a cluster of small blisters that turn into a shallow, painful sore, possibly accompanied by fever and swollen lymph glands in the neck. In a few days the sore will crust over and slowly disappear. The whole flare-up lasts about seven to ten days. \n\n\n\nWhat's the best way to treat cold sores? \n\nCold sores will go away on their own, but there are some things you can do to help your child feel better in the meantime. \n\n\n\n•To ease the pain, apply ice to the sore or give your child a mild pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. (Never give aspirin to children or teenagers; it may trigger Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening illness.) \n•Have your child avoid salty, spicy, and sour foods, which irritate the raw nerves in the sore.  \n•Dab on a water-based zinc ointment. It helps dry out the sore so it can heal faster, and the zinc may also aid the immune system.  \n\nTo keep your child from infecting other parts of his body or giving the virus to someone else, encourage him to wash his hands regularly and keep him from picking at his sores.\n\n\n\nOne last caution: Urge your child to avoid touching his eyes when he has a cold sore. HSV-1 can cause ocular herpes, a serious eye infection. If your child develops a painful sore on his eyelid or the surface of his eye, schedule a prompt appointment with his pediatrician: Your child may need antiviral drugs to keep the infection from scarring his cornea. In rare cases, ocular herpes can weaken vision and even cause blindness.\n\n\n\nAlso, any kind of herpes virus is dangerous to newborns. If you have a newborn, keep any of your children who have a cold sore away from him until it's healed. \n\n\n\nHow can I prevent cold sores? \n\nThe first thing you can do is try to keep your child free of the virus that causes cold sores, which may be difficult, given how contagious HSV-1 is. Remember, one peck with an infected lip is all it takes to pass on the virus. If you have sores and your child doesn't, cut out kissing until you've healed. \n\n\n\nIf you are the parent of a newborn and have a cold sore, you don't need to separate yourself from your new baby. Do wash your hands frequently, though, and avoid kissing your baby until the cold sore goes away. You may consider wearing a surgical mask to cover the sore as well. Infectious disease experts do recommend that women with herpes sores on their breasts refrain from breast feeding until the sores are healed.\n\n\n\nIf your child already has the virus, the best thing you can do is keep his immune system strong by making sure he gets a healthful diet, plenty of sleep, an
1060147
Go to the store and get blister pads.  They really work and shorten the healing time.
1105679
if fever blister (herpes simplex 1) zovirax as soon as u feel the tingle. otherwise....eat well...get in some exercise ...keep ur lips moist and sunblocked and avoid any trauma to the lip and general stress...esp around the time of ur period
876522
Your doctor can give you a prescription that can help it to go away and then began using it at the very first tingle if you feel one coming on again.  I have never heard the food connection to a cold sore.  Illness, stress, sun exposure are all things I have heard.  But, if you keep getting them, you definetly should be replacing toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash after every time or at least sanitizing them with boiling water.  Also are you using the same makeup, makeup aplicator or if you are male the same shaver, be sure and sanatize everything.  Change your pillow cases, anything that might have come in contact with your mouth, clean it or throw it out and start over.  Hope these tips help.  And sometimes if you are just run down and have been sick, your body has to rebuild and you might have several in a row.  I know I have.  Nothing over the counter will do the job like the stuff the doc. can prescribe, but it isn't cheap....:)  There is a prescription cream the doc can give you called Zovirax and it does help cold sores...
947995
Ouch, I guess you could if you wanted, just make sure it's ready to come off so you don't get a scar or an infection. And here's some invaluable advice for the future--lavender oil! It works better to make a cold sore disappear than anything I've ever heard of, sometimes in a few hours or at least a day.
493694
Here are your 2 best options (in my opinion):\n\n1.) Use Abreva as mentioned.  It is a topical antiviral and really is FDA approved, the other stuff (Blistex, Carmex, L-lycine) is not clinically effective in treating Herpes.\n\n2.) A better option might be to go see your doctor about getting a prescription antiviral to take by mouth.  This would not only treat the current sore but may also prevent any new ones from forming (depending on how long it is until the prom).  There are certain doses used for treatment and others used for prevention.  This is probably your best bet.\n\nGood luck, and have a fun (and safe) prom!
272992
By mouth ulcers do you mean the ulcers inside the mouth or fever blisters on the lips?  Both are caused by the herpes simplex type 1 virus which is the most common herpes simplex virus and it's usually acquired in childhood.  The best cure for ulcers in the mouth would be to rinse several times a day with warm salt water... it has a natural healing affect on the gums and surrounding tissues.  Use 1 teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces of warm water.  If it is a fever blister you have on your lip I would advise you to try Abreva which can be purchased over-the-counter and use as directed.
19371
Put tea tree oil on it.  This is available in health food stores.  You only need to buy a very small bottle.  It will last a long time and has many uses other than cold sores.  Works great on pimples too.
208453
Put band-aids on your heals at the first sight of a blister...\nAlso keeps it from burning....
199219
Whatever ways you may try, please see a doctor if you have fever before embarking on any suggestions you may receive. To get rid of a cough fast, avoid cold drink and also things that will leave remnant along the lining of the throat, like groundnuts, messy fruit drinks like fresh orange(the fibre will stick on the lining of the throat which will make you cough).After every single cough, drink a gulp of water to smoothen the lining and push down whatever is causing the cough especially the phlem or mucus, if you cant spit it out. The phlems is the main thing that make the cough worst. If everytime you cough and there is mucus or phlem, try your best to spit it out.and immediately drink warm water.When you go to bed at night, standby a flask of warm water so that should you cough during sleep, get up and drink some warm water. It helps to bring down the coughing.Another important thing is never sleep with the fan switched on in front of you becos the wind can also make your cough worst., just turn the fan away from you if you need it on.As for the flu, as long as you dont have fever, it should go off in a weeks time, but if you are on medication, take them religiously if you want to get well soon.
300708
I had that happen years ago. Out of desperation, I tried applying just a tiny bit of Blistex to it, and it relieved the pain and helped speed healing - the sore was gone within a couple days.
642174
Pure aloe vera is very good. So is Solarcane. If you have bad blisters or the chills, you may want to see a doctor.
1157999
Vaseline or some type of medicated lip balm like Blistex
303733
Cold sore or a fungus of some sort.  If it doesn't go away in a few days go see a doctor.