Fever blisters are also known as cold sores. They usually occur over the lip or along the gum line and can be extremely painful. A fever blister may or may not have pus in it and typically occurs after the flu, or while one is suffering from a cold, fever, or an infection. Fever blisters arise when the body’s immunity levels drop, making it susceptible to herpes simplex and other viruses. Stress can also trigger fever blisters. Since they are a byproduct of herpes, cold sores or fever blisters can also be contagious. Thankfully, many home remedies for cold sores and fever blisters can help you eliminate them within 24 hours. Let us take a look at the most effective fever blister remedies that really work:
1. Cornmeal poultice
Apply cornmeal poultice to the fever blister to get rid of it overnight.
2. Ear wax
This may sound disgusting but it is an effective cold sore remedy to eliminate the blister within 24 hours. Apply ear wax to the blister and leave it on overnight. The blister will reduce in size significantly by morning.
3. Essential oils
For a fever blister over the lip or gums, you can use essential oils like Geranium, Tea tree, Melissa, or Lavender essential oils. According to the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy, California, apply one drop of any of the above oils to the fever blister topically 4-6 times a day until the blister disappears. If concentrated oils irritate your skin, you can mix the oil with a bit of sweet almond oil or hazelnut oil and continue applying the same way. Just make sure that the essential oil is at least 10% of the blend.
4. Acetone
Acetone is present in nail polish removers and is also available in the form of acetone gel pads. Using a clean cotton ball or Q-tip, gently dab the acetone on the sore/blister. Leave it on the sores overnight. By morning, your sore would have subsided.
5. Manuka honey
Manuka honey is a special type of honey available from New Zealand. It is made by bees that feed on flowers of the manuka bushes and has very high antioxidant content. Today, scientists are even studying manuka honey for its anti-carcinogenic properties. Dab a bit of manuka honey on the fever blister and leave it on for several hours. Repeat application as often as required throughout the day. Within 24 hours, your fever blister will shrink and there won’t be any pain, redness, or scarring.
6. Garlic
Garlic is antiseptic, anti-viral, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory. However, this remedy can sting and burn the skin, so prepare for some pain! Crush a few garlic cloves and apply the juice on the fever blister. Leave it on overnight. Also, take a couple of garlic pills daily to strengthen the immunity and help the body fight the infection from inside out.
7. Oil of oregano
As soon as you feel a blister creeping up, apply a few drops of oil of oregano on the area. You will find that this remedy reduces swelling, pain, and redness and also speeds up the healing of fever blisters. Re-apply as often as needed.
8. Creeping hyssop
For fever blisters inside the mouth, you can use one drop of creeping hyssop extract 3-6 times a day for 3 days. Please note that Creeping Hyssop is different from Hyssop. They have different properties. Creeping hyssop is antiviral in nature and that makes it the best cold sore treatment. Hyssop, on the other hand, is toxic.
9. Ice cube
As soon as you feel a cold sore or fever blister coming on, ice the area for a few minutes. Wrap up the ice cube in a clean hanky and press or dab it on the sore area. Leave it on for 2-3 minutes at a time and make sure to ice for at least 15 minutes at a time. Repeat the remedy several times a day. The fever blister will go away within a few hours and you won’t be left with any scabs, redness, or marks.
10. Floral remedies
Flower remedies can help you get rid of a cold sore quickly, on the lip. You can take them internally and also use them topically. Pansy flower essence is very effective in this case. You need to take 4 drops of the essence internally (place the extract under your tongue) 4 times a day. Also, add the essence to a lip balm or cream and apply it to the affected areas for a couple of days until the fever blister is eliminated.
11. Herbal decoction
Herbal blend of following extracts and tinctures may be used to get rid of a fever blister in 24 hours:
- Licorice
- Dandelion
- Astragalus
- Passionflower
- Lemon balm
Combine the tinctures of the above herbs in equal quantities. The moment you feel a fever blister coming on, take one teaspoon of the blend every hour. After 24 hours, decrease the dose to half a teaspoon, 2-3 times a day. Continue until the fever blister disappears. You can also apply the blend topically on the sore.
12. Grapefruit seed extract
Grapefruit seed extract or GSE is antiviral and astringent and helps eliminate cold sores or fever blisters by inactivating the virus and drying up the blisters. Simply mix 5-10 drops of GSE with a bit of vegetable glycerin and use a cotton swab to apply the blend to the lesions. Re-apply 2-3 times a day and within a matter of a few hours, you will feel the blister drying up.
13. Myrrh oil
Myrrh oil is another fantastic remedy to get rid of a cold sore in 24 hours. Apply concentrated myrrh oil to the sore three times a day to dry them quickly. Repeat daily until the cold sore vanishes completely.
14. Melissa cream
Apart from using the above remedies, you can also apply Melissa officinalis cream or ointment three times a day to the lesions or fever blisters. This remedy will help reduce the swelling, pain, and redness and dry up blister quickly.
15. Homeopathic remedies
Many homeopathic remedies are very effective in treating cold sores or fever blisters and they do not have any side effects.
- Nat Mur – This remedy is the best cold sores treatment for recurring blisters caused by stress, exposure to the sun, and acute illness.
- Rhus tox – for angry, red, fever blisters made worse by cold, damp, or fever
- Sepia for lesions on lower lips accompanied by cracked or chapped lips
You need to take appropriate remedy of at least 30 C potency 3-4 times a day for 3 days.
16. Supplements
Many supplements can prevent recurrence of cold sores or fever blisters:
- Vitamin C – Take at least 1000 mg three times a day. If loose stools or diarrhea occur, then cut back the dosage.
- Vitamin E – Take 400 IU in divided doses.
- Pycnogenol – This is a powerful antioxidant derived from grape seed. Take at least 100 mg three times a day to prevent cold sores and enhance natural immunity.
- Selenium – Take 200 mcg twice a day.
- Olive leaf extract – 1000 mg per day.
- Monolaurin – Mother’s milk or breast milk contains this. It is a powerful defense against viruses. You need to take 300 mg thrice a day.
- L–lysine – This supplement literally stops a fever blister in its tracks! Take 1000 mg of L-lysine for 2-3 times a day until the sore disappears completely.
17. Food therapy/dietary changes
Eat sauerkraut, yogurt, kefir, miso, natto, tempeh, and other fermented foods. These foods are probiotic, meaning that they contain friendly bacteria. Probiotic foods help eliminate harmful microbes from the body and strengthen the immunity to fight diseases. Avoid sugary, gluten-rich foods and try to limit carbohydrate intake. These foods feed the virus and make it harder to eliminate it from the body.