Fever Blisters also known as cold sores are fluid filled blisters that commonly occur on the lips. They can also occur in the mouth, particularly on the gums and roof of the mouth (hard palate), but this is rare. Fever Blisters are usually painful; in fact, the pain may precede the appearance of the lesion by a few days. The blisters rupture within hours, and then crust over. They last about 7-10 days. Fever Blisters should not be confused with Canker sores (also called aphthous ulcers) for the latter are small, shallow ulcers occurring on the tongue, soft palate, or inside the lips and cheeks. They are quite painful and usually last 5-10 days. The most important difference between the two is that the former is contagious while the latter is not. About 100 million episodes of recurrent fever blisters occur yearly in the United States alone. An estimated 45 to 80 percent of adults and children in this country have had at least one bout with the blisters.

A primary herpes infection often causes no symptoms. However, in some patients (mostly children) it may cause:

• Fluid-filled blisters or red, painful sores on or near the mouth, or on fingers
• Swollen, sensitive gums of a deep red color
• A fever, flu like symptoms and swollen lymph nodes on the neck often accompanying the first attack; recurrent sores usually do not produce these symptoms
• When these herpes symptoms do develop, they usually begin two to 12 days after exposure to someone with HSV-1

Certain steps can be taken to prevent the outbreak and spread of fever Blisters:

• Avoid mucous membrane contact when a lesion is present.
• Do not squeeze, pinch or pick at the blister.
• Wash hands carefully before touching your eyes or genital area, or another person.
• There is some preliminary evidence that using sunscreen on the lips will prevent sun-induced eruption of cold sore and fever blisters.
• A primary herpes infection in children can be prevented by not allowing them to share toys and eating utensils that have touched other children’s mouths and by not allowing them to be kissed by anyone who has cold sores or fever blisters. Unfortunately, despite these protective measures, most children will eventually catch HSV-1 by the time they reach adulthood.

Fever blisters are caused by the herpes simplex virus Type 1 (HSV-1), a virus that passes from person to person by direct contact with infected skin or saliva. Once HSV-1 invades the skin, it causes a primary infection, which usually occurs in childhood and may cause no symptoms. After this primary infection subsides, the virus remains dormant indefinitely in nerves near the affected skin area. In most patients, the virus intermittently reactivates to cause herpes recurrences (secondary herpes episodes), which produce cold sores and fever blisters. Recurrences can be triggered by many different factors, including fever, stress, recent dental extraction or exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. In addition to causing infections around the mouth, HSV-1 can be transferred to the eyes, to the skin of the fingers, to the genital area and elsewhere. Although most genital herpes infections are attributed to herpes simplex Type 2 (HSV-2), HSV-1 can be an alternate cause in some patients. HSV-1 can cause unusually severe illness in debilitated people, especially in those suffering from malnutrition, cancer, or weakened immune systems, including people with AIDS. Several factors weaken the body's defenses and trigger an outbreak of herpes. These include emotional stress, fever, illness, injury and exposure to sunlight. Many women have recurrences only during menstruation. One study indicates that susceptibility to herpes recurrences is inherited. Research is under way to discover exactly how the triggering factors interact with the immune system and the virus to prompt a recurrence of fever blisters.

The diagnosis can be made several different ways, including:

• Viral cultures, which involve growing the virus in a laboratory
• Blood samples observed under a microscope
• Visual examination by a healthcare provider. However, it is impossible to tell the difference between type 1 and type 2 by just looking at the ulcer

Concentrate on a diet that is rich in vitamins and not in fats. Avoid cold drinks and eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits to build up the immunity that can help the body to recover and fight infections.

Home care suggestions include taking rest and keeping away from diets that are rich in salts etc. Besides seeking therapy can also help reduce the pain that normally accompanies these Blisters.

Taking rest and concentrating on activities that help the mind and body to turn attention away from the disease are very helpful.

Cold Sore Rescue Gel contains Lemon balm or Melissa officinalis. Lemon balm or Melissa officinalis is a valuable herb that shows its favorable effects on body in condition of fever blisters. ^1,2,3,4 Cold Sores & Fever Blisters contains Natrum Muriaticum. Zinc is also beneficial in condition of fever blisters because it supports defense mechanism of body. ^5,6,7,8 Similarly, supplementation with Natrum Muriaticum also provides its favorable effects in condition of fever blisters. ⁹ Boneset or eupatorium perfoliatum also Enhances body against harmful effects of microrganisms. ¹⁰

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease.