Fever blisters

Fever blisters are painful, blister- like sores found on your lips. They produce a watery discharge when they burst and form a scab as they heal. They are caused by the Herpes simplex viruses are transmitted from person to person through direct contact with the infected area. Once the Herpes simplex virus is on your skin, it is able to attach itself to the surface of one of your cells and create and opening through which it can enter into your body and cause damage to the surrounding cells which results in a fever blister.

The first time you get fever blisters is typically the worst, as your body, never having been exposed to the virus before, must produce antibodies to fight it. As your body fights and destroys the virus, the virus retreats into one of your nerves, in which it hides and remains inactive. It is very difficult to get rid of the virus completely, but there are ways to control its ability to re-activate and cause further fever blisters.

The causes of re-activation of the virus are variable. If your immune system is weakened as a result of a cold, flu or any other infection or stress then the virus is able to re-activate, leave the nerve and attempt to multiply. This causes tissue damage and a fever blister is formed, and so the cycle continues. Under normal circumstances, your body should be able to fight the virus sufficiently so as to cause it to retreat back into the nerve within one week. If your fever blisters have not healed within a week, then please consult your healthcare practitioner.

Treatment

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