Fever blister or sometimes called cold sores is viral infection in skin. It occurs commonly on lips or near mouth. It is the group of small blisters filled with fluid. Fever blisters are very painful and often cause burning sensation along with swelling and redness around it. It is caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). The virus is spread by exchanging saliva, sharing utensils or razors and by skin contact with infected person.
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Once you suffered from this virus it can be inactive in skin veins throughout your life. It can be triggered again and again by taking mental and emotional stress, hormonal disorder, and weak immune system and over exposure to sunlight.
Symptoms of fever blisters
- Early symptoms are tingling and burning sensation in skin around the affected area.
- Person may have fever, vomiting, nausea, headache or swollen glands.
- Often after 24 hours skin starts swollen and redness start appearing.
- After it tiny blisters start forming and slowly starts increasing in numbers result in formation of patch.
Causes of fever blisters
A lot of research is already done and a more is still going on but the clear reason of getting fever blisters is yet to be known. The main reason that is concluded is the weak immune system. People with weakened immune system often get infected from this virus and suffers from fever blister. If wondering are fever blisters contagious, then you need to know that they are contagious not only to others but causes more problem to infected person. When you touch the fever blisters and then touch the other part of your body can spread the virus. Fever blisters if not treated well can cause genital herpes and blindness.
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How to get rid of fever blisters
There are lot of medicines available on pharmacy shelves for the treatment of fever blisters. But they are not always effective and are often expensive. Instead of them you can do homemade and time trusted treatment:
Turmeric power:
Turmeric power because of its healing and anti bacterial properties is an excellent substance available at home to treat cold sores. Applying it directly on infected area can give you instant relief from pain and burning sensation.
Milk:
The monocarpic fat, calcium and immunoglobulin in milk have antiviral properties. They help in fighting the virus that causes cold blisters. Apply the cold milk with help of cotton directly on affected area will reduce the tingling sensation and will give you soothing effect.
Garlic:
Commonly present in kitchen, garlic is one item on which you can really relay on to get rid of cold sores in fast possible way. Garlic has enzymes and its antibacterial properties help in reducing the healing time.
Toothpaste:
Toothpaste contains menthol sodium laurel sulphate, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol and baking soda which help in reducing the blister size and drying out them as fast as possible.
Ice:
Cold compresses can reduce pain extensively. Ice also helps in reducing redness and burning sensation. Rub the ice cubes directly on infected area. Do it 4–5 times a day.
Fever blister is common problem and can be seen in children as well as adults. Keeping your skin clean and preventing the causes that trigger its virus can help you to be safe from HSV-1 virus.