How I stopped a fever blister in its tracks

The tingle, the itch, the slightly swollen, slightly warm bump. Yup, you know that familiar sensation all too well. You’re getting a dreaded fever blister. Ugh! I have suffered from fever blisters since I was a small child, and they have caused me much inconvenience, teasing, and physical and emotional pain. If you get frequent fever blisters, you know what I mean.

Fever blisters are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus- Type 1, and are extremely common. They move through several different phases, starting with a tingling sensation, then moving to liquid-filled blisters. Often the blisters spread and form clusters of blisters. Eventually they dry up, leaving a scab, and the scab falls off and the lip heals. With no treatment, the fever blister usually heals within a couple of weeks.

Two weeks is too long for me sport a big scab on my lip. It’s too long for me not to kiss my husband. It’s too long for me not to kiss my kids. I LOATHE fever blisters!

I used to take prescription and over the counter medications to treat my outbreaks, but over time they quit working and some actually made them worse. After I became interested in natural remedies, I began searching for ways to treat my fever blisters at home. Truthfully, I don’t get fever blisters nearly as often as I used to since I switched to a real food diet and began pursuing more natural products and remedies in my life, but occasionally they do still make their ugly debut.

Last week, I began getting a tingling sensation on my lip and a small bump. I knew I had to take action fast! Guess what? It worked! The bump never developed into a full blown blister and vanished completely within a couple of days. I was thrilled, and I couldn’t wait to share this remedy with you! This is by far the greatest success I’ve ever had with an at home remedy.

 

How I Stopped a Fever Blister in its Tracks

1 T. virgin coconut oil

3-4 drops of tea tree oil

 

I mixed these two ingredients together in a small glass container.

I then used a cotton swab and applied it to the potential blister 3-4 times a day.

I only had to use this remedy for a couple of days, but you may have to use longer depending on your individual case.

**It is important to remember to use this mixture AS SOON as you notice the tingle. You will have FAR greater success if you catch it as early as possible!

 

Other Internal Support for Treating and Preventing Fever Blisters

  • Consider a L-lysine supplement and reduce arginine: There is evidence that a diet higher in lysine and lower in arginine, is also helpful for reducing fever blisters. Both are amino acids and beneficial to the body, but a diet high in arginine and low in lysine may cause frequent fever blister outbreaks. For a good chart on ratios of these amino acids in foods, see this article. Nuts and seeds are at the top of the list. I am thinking of limiting nuts and seeds to see if my outbreaks lessen. You can also look at getting yourself some lysine ointment for your lips to put directly on your outbreak.
  • Recognize your triggers and try to avoid them: Sunburns, chapped lips, trauma to the area, hormonal changes, stress, or a weakened immune system can all be triggers. If you keep track of your triggers, you may have greater success avoiding them altogether.
  • Reducing stress: Take long walks, get some fresh air, do some light exercise, take vacations, play, sleep, enjoy life. Stress can weaken your immune system and cause a host of problems, one of which is fever blisters. Find some time to unwind and you may see a decrease in the frequency of your outbreaks.
  • Boost the immune system.

Probiotic rich foods and supplements are my favorite way to boost my family’s immune systems. Kefir, kombucha, and cultured vegetables are my go-to ways to get our daily intake of probiotics.
Cod Liver Oil is another one of my favorite immune system boosters due to its high levels of fat soluble vitamins A, D, and K.
Bone broth: Here it is again, my beloved bone broth. lol Yes it works to help strengthen the gut and immune system.

Do you have any remedies to speed healing time of fever blisters? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

 

 

Medical Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and this should not be taken as medical advice. I am simply sharing my own experience. Please consult a medical professional.

2017-01-04T00:31:50+00:00

12 Comments

  1. JEVON COLE February 27, 2017 at 2:08 am - Reply

    Salt drys it up pretty quick but hurts when you first apply it

  2. Elle G March 3, 2017 at 10:04 pm - Reply

    I have found that ice applied to it several times throughout the first day noticed, stops mine.

  3. Jennie Adams March 8, 2017 at 4:58 pm - Reply

    I get an ice cube right away and hold it on for as long as I can and that alone reduces the size of it dramatically. Then I “baby” the crap out of it trying to dry it out. I put campho phenique on it ALLL the time and every time I reapply it I clean it off Switching rubbing alcohol and peroxide every other time. works pretty good. I also use doterra ongaurd and put it directly on as often as i can

  4. Rose L April 20, 2017 at 6:22 pm - Reply

    I’ve been using softlips vanilla with spf 20. When I feel the tingling, I apply it to the area 5-6 times a day. Sometimes more, if I’m determined not to get a fever blister and it seems to work for me. There have been times ,where I didn’t feel the tingling. But noticed the small bump raising, I applied the softlips and by the next day, it’s disappeared. I have a stock pile of them around my house and car.

  5. Heather July 12, 2017 at 8:20 pm - Reply

    Thank you so much for posting this remedy. I have never had any success with cold sore treatments. I have to admit, I was skeptical at first. But now, I have a remedy that works like a charm. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

  6. Justeen July 25, 2017 at 12:44 am - Reply

    Sooooo thankful I found this post the other week!
    I had 2 big events this past weekend.. so what better time for a cold sore to make an appearance?! This was only my 2nd cold sore ever, so I’m glad I was able to recognize the signs as soon as they started. I googled my butt of trying to find a remedy that would stop it in its tracks and decided to try yours!
    The only other thing I did was ice it for 15-20 min BEFORE I applied the coconut/tea tree oil each time (about 4x per day) and it barely turned into anything! I had a small bump for about 5 days but it didn’t hurt, itch, blister, and was baaaarely noticeable.

    Thank you!!!!
    This’ll be my go-to from now on!

  7. Teri A October 14, 2017 at 11:43 pm - Reply

    Stress seems to be my trigger. I have taken Acyclovir at first tingling (prescribed by my dermatologist.) I also apply Carmex to the sight and that really helps. Regardless those darn little blisters heal but the reddish discoloration can last up to 6 months. I use vitamin e at the sight. Will keep the above 2 remedies in mind.

  8. Chris W January 2, 2018 at 5:39 pm - Reply

    The very best thing for a fever blister is Valtrex. This is a perscription drug that literally stops a fever blister in its tracks! I have had fever blisters since I was a child and am never without Valtrex in my medicine cabinet. Caution: never take Valtrex if you are pregnant or might be pregnant.

  9. George Cruz January 3, 2018 at 3:47 pm - Reply

    Vicks and Oregano oil. Oregano helps with the spreading and boy does it burn on your lip. Always get these massive soars in December and January when the temps. go down. When they start they get huge. I treat them with Lysine 3 to 5 times a day 1000mg, then a drop or 2 with oregano oil placed with a Qtip and then with the other side of the Qtip i apply vicks vapor rub and throw away the stick. Just a tiny dab. Soar stops spreading and begins scabbing . You can now talk and eat.!

  10. Amanda January 13, 2018 at 8:42 pm - Reply

    Coconut oil….Teaspoon or tablespoon?

  11. Brandi June 11, 2018 at 12:16 am - Reply

    Melissa essential oil works even better!

  12. Britt November 27, 2018 at 5:39 pm - Reply

    I’ve had these for years. Of the mass amounts of remedies I’ve tried, including doctor prescribed treatments, Campho Phenique works best for drying an already formed blister. Apply multiple times per day. If you catch it early, at the tingling stage, use an alcohol soaked cotton ball and press on the area. Do this as often as you can through out the day. Also limit acidic foods, like tomatoes, orange juice, etc. My dr gave me that advice and it’s helpful.

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