Authored by Donna Johnson in Diseases
Published on 10-05-2009

One health problem that plagues nearly 70 percent of all Americans is the HSV-1 virus that can lead to the appearance of fever sores. Also known as fever blisters and cold sores, fever sores can be unsightly and quite embarrassing. If you are prone to developing fever sores, there are several methods you can use to cure them.

Fever sores will go away without treatment within about 2 weeks. However, since they generally appear around the mouth or on the lip, they are very visible. If you do not feel comfortable waiting that long for your fever sores to disappear, there are several home remedies you can try. Applying aloe vera, sage, or tea tree oil to your fever sores several times a day can speed healing. If you have an aloe vera plant in your home, you won’t even need to buy anything-just break off a leaf and apply the juice to your fever sore. Applying ice several times a day can reduce the pain and redness of fever sores and also helps to cure them.

If you don’t want to use home remedies or they just don’t work quickly enough for you, there are over-the-counter medications you can buy to cure fever sores. Over-the-counter medications containing lysine, zinc, and tannic acid are particularly good for curing fever sores. If you can find a treatment that contains Docosanol, it will work even better for you, but these treatments may not be available in all areas.

If you suffer from frequent or particularly bad outbreaks of fever sores, talk to your doctor. He or she can prescribe stronger medications that will be even more effective in curing fever sores. Prescription medications also work better at relieving the pain associated with fever sores, and they can be taken at the first signs of a possible fever sore outbreak. These signs include a tingling or burning sensation at the spot where the fever sore will eventually develop.

Although there is no way to prevent fever sore outbreaks completely, you can take steps to lessen your chances of an outbreak. Stress is a major trigger for fever sores, so try to reduce stress in your life as much as you possibly can. Prolonged exposure to the sun can also increase the likelihood that you will develop fever sores, so you should limit your sun exposure whenever possible. Taking a daily vitamin that contains at least 500 milligrams of lysine can also prevent fever sore outbreaks. Be sure to drink plenty of water, as staying hydrated can also help you stay fever sore-free.

No matter which course of treatment you choose for your fever sore outbreaks, you must remember that as long as the sore is present, the virus that causes it is contagious. Be careful not to kiss anyone or share drinking straws or eating utensils with anyone until your fever sore is completely healed. By acting quickly and taking proper precautions, you can easily cure your fever sores and prevent your loved ones from contracting the virus that causes them.