I know a person who has a bad case of fever blisters on her lower lip.?
Question:
Thank you very much.
Answers:
Ugh, your poor friend. Once you get a fever blister (aka cold sore, Herpes Simplex), you are susceptible to getting them for the rest of your life. I started getting them when I was 12 and usually get one or two a year.
I have used Zovirax and it does work better than any other medication I've ever tried, but I heard of a non-medical trick recently that actually seems to work (although it won't help once the blister is well defined, so I'm not sure how helpful this advice is for your friend's current situation).
At the first little tingling (experienced cold sore victims know what I'm talking about), put an ice cube on your lip. Keep it there for as long as you can stand (15 to 20 minutes, if you can). The virus needs warmth to grow and the ice keeps the skin too cold to allow it to spread. You may need a second "dose" of ice if you still feel the tingle when your lip warms back up. I have done this on my last two potential cold sores and it may have been coincidence, but it worked both times.
I'm sure medical doctors would scoff at this advice, but it doesn't cost anything to try and is definitely worth a shot. Good Luck!
~Kyanna
Viruses are not treatable by antibiotics. She would need antivirals, such as Zovirax or Acyclovir. She does need to see a doctor or a nurse at a rapid clinic (if you have those in your area). There are over-the-counter medications for fever blisters, but they do not work very well and are VERY expensive.
No, you are wrong. Antibiotics can not help cold sores.
The best thing she can do is get Abreva. It's sold in stores near the Chapstick. It's expensive, but the only thing proven to heal cold sores faster. She must apply it at the first tingle - as soon as she suspects one is coming on.
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