What is the meaning of blister on lip? Is it contagious? Get insights on what causes blood blister, water or white blisters on lip, symptoms and how to prevent.
Blood Blister on Lip
Cold sore is a viral infection that causes small blisters that are filled with fluid to occur on the lips, around the mouth and on the edge of nostrils. It causes pain, itching and burning sensation before bursting to form crusting. It may take 3 to 4 weeks to heal without leaving a scar.
There is no specific treatment or cure for fever blister on lip. After suffering from this infection, the virus remains dormant in your body and it may reactive to cause recurrences of the cold sores. Antibiotics can be used only to relieve the pain and discomfort caused by the blisters. Antiviral drugs such as acyclovir can be used to reduce how often the infection returns by suppressing the multiplication of the virus.
The recurrence of this infection is more common to individuals who are below 35 years as compared to those who are above this age. Its recurrence is not severe as compared to the initial outbreak. It may only show a few symptoms that are likely to go away after some days.
Blister on Lip Causes
This a contagious viral infection caused by a virus known as herpes simplex. There are two major types of herpes simplex virus known as type 1 and type 2. The type 1 herpes simplex is the major cause of oral herpes known as cold sores. It usually develops on oral tissues of your body such as mouth, lips and other parts of the face.
Herpes simplex virus type 2 usually causes genital herpes although it can also affect other oral tissues but in rare cases. A big percentage of the oral tissue infections such as the blister on lip or cold sores are caused by type 1.
Once you get infected with herpes simplex virus, the virus remains in your body permanently after the outbreak. It travels and hide deeper into the nerves of your cheekbone in a dormant state. It can either remain inactive permanently or it can occasionally travel down in the nerves to the skin surface to cause a recurrence of the infection.
Recurrence of blister on lip is usually experienced by causing blood blisters in the mouth, at the edge of lips around the mouth, cheeks and at the edges of the nostrils. The initial occurrence of this infection causes severe itching, tingling and a burning sensation of the lips and other affected tissues of your body.
Recurrence of fever blister is triggered by different conditions such as:
- Weak body immune system due to diseases and other conditions
- Menstruation in women
- High sunlight intensity
- High body temperatures
- Physical and emotional stress
- Hormonal imbalances
- Surgery
- Dental illness
- Fever
- fatigue
Although it is not proven, some studies also indicates that herpes simplex virus are hereditary. If your parents or other older member of your family suffered from this infection, you are also likely to experience the outbreak of this infection at some point of your age in life.
Is Blister on lip Contagious?
The virus that causes lip blister are highly contagious especially during the blistering stage. The blisters emerges after 3 days of infection, they collapse and start forming crusting after 2 weeks. After this period they become less contagious but the possibility of causing an infection is still there until the blisters heals completely.
The spread of this infection is very high in children than the adults. It is mainly transmitted through kissing and body contact with infected person. An infected child is likely to spread the infection by rubbing the blister or sore and touching other children. The victim is also likely to spread the infection to other family members and relatives.
White Blister on Lip
Herpes complex virus type 2 is common in adults than in kids. It mostly affects the genital. It is also highly contagious. It is transmitted from infected person to the other through sexual intercourse, body contact with cold sores and through touching
You need to be very careful with the blisters. A void touching the blisters, you can easily spread the infection to other parts of your body. For instance, touching the blisters on the lips then you touch the genitals, the virus can spread down there and cause more problems. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap after touching the blisters.
The only way to avoid getting this infection is to avoid direct body contact with an infected person during the blistering stage. You might think that the blisters are non-contagious after scabbing but it may scab and shed for several times before healing completely. You should also stay away from other people when having the blisters. Skin to skin contact is what causes white blister on lip to spread easily from infected person to others.
After an infection, the virus may invade the moist membrane of your lips, mouth and throat. Some people may not experience the symptoms during the initial infection while others may start to experience blisters on the lips and around the mouth. The blisters may be accompanied with other signs such as tingling, swollen neck glands and burning sensation on the affected areas.
Leave the blisters alone, in case you should you pop a blister, wash the hand and control the ooze from spreading to other areas that surround the infected area.
Blister on Lip Symptoms or Signs
Three to four after infection the HSV travels and invade your lips, mouth or throat membrane. They start to multiply rapidly. During this stage, you may experience body fatigue and swollen neck glands. It will therefore be followed by the symptoms below:
- Tingling and itching. You may experience tingling and itching around the mouth and on the lips. Many people will experience this symptoms during the initial outbreak of the infection. Itching may spread up to the nostrils and other areas that may be affected.
- Burning sensation. The lips, mouth or nostrils will start to develop inflammation that will accompany tingling and itching.
- Small blisters that are filled with fluids develops on the edge of lips and nostrils. When the outbreak is severe, the blisters may also emerge on the cheeks. The severity of the blisters depends on what causes blister on lip such as the risk factors.
- Oozing and crusting. The blisters may stay for 2 to 3 days before bursting to ooze. Small wounds experienced will start to form yellow crusting.
During the first outbreak, the symptoms are more severe as compared to when it recurs. Some people may experience other symptoms such as:
- Muscle pains.
- Headache
- Painful gums
- Fever
How long do Water Blisters Last on your Lips?
The blisters may last for 2 to 3 weeks before healing completely. There are various blister on lip home remedy that are effective in helping the blisters to heal faster. However you may be required to look for medical treatment if your immune system is weak, the symptoms are severe, frequent recurrent of the outbreak or when the infection is affecting your eyes.
Blister on Lip Pictures
You can also learn from the various pictures of cold sores. Small group of blisters develops on the edge of the lips and around the mouth. The virus enters into your body through tiny breaks on the mouth, lips and skin after kissing or coming in contact with cold sores from infected person
From the picture, we can see that this infection mostly affects the facial tissues. The area prone to this infection includes the mouth, lips, nostril and cheeks. It is also likely to affect other parts of the body such as the eyes, genitals, shoulders and legs. You need to be very careful while having the outbreak of blister. Touching other parts of the body with infected hands aids in spreading this infection.
How to Prevent Blister on lip
Blister on lip is a viral infection that has no cure. It usually heals on its own. Some treatments such as creams, pills and ointments may only be used to relieve the pain, discomfort and on how to get rid of fever blister fast. There are various ways you can employ to prevent the occurrences of blisters on inside of lip or outside as follows:
Avoid any form of body contact with infected person either through kissing, body contact with the blisters or oral sex.
Once infected with the virus, avoid exposure to high intensity sunrays and high temperatures that may trigger recurrence of lip blister.
- Avoid sharing things like utensils and beddings with a person who has the infection. It may contain herpes simplex virus.
- Use sunscreens or lip balm that contain sun protection factor of about 15 to 30 to prevent ultraviolet rays from the sun that may trigger blister on lip from sun. According to health line.
- Sharing of toothbrush, towels, razors and other objects with a person who has the blister increases the chances of getting the infection. Do not share such objects with a person who has cold sore outbreak.
- Avoid the risk factors such as stress, fatigue, high sunlight and extreme temperatures.
- When experiencing the outbreak of this infection, avoid touching the blisters. Your fingers may carry the virus to other parts of your body such as the genitals. Wash your hand thoroughly with soap and running water.
- After the initial infection, visit your doctor for medication that helps to prevent the recurrences of blister.
- Avoid sharing the cold sore creams with a person who has an outbreak. It helps to prevent cold sores.
- Wash the towel and any other things in hot water that you used to clean the blisters before using them on any other part of your body.
How to Get Rid of Blister on lip Fast
The outbreak of fever blister, herpes simplex or cold sores results to formation of fluid filled lesions on the edge of lips, mouth, nostrils and on other organs or tissues that are affected. After an infection, you may feel tingling, itching and a burning sensation on the affected parts. It may be followed by blisters that usually oozes and form a yellow crusting.
Unfortunately, there is no cure or vaccination of this contagious infection for now. Once you are infected with herpes simplex virus, it causes recurrences of the outbreak for several time in your life. However, there are things you can do to relieve the pain, speed up healing of the blisters, stop the recurrence and spread of the infection which includes:
Immediate treatment
After infection, the first symptoms is fever, tingling and itching of infected tissues. An immediate treatment of the fever which consist of lukewarm bath can help to get rid of blister on lip fast. Applying a cold compress on the affected parts helps to relieve the itching. The common affected parts includes the mouth, lips, nostrils, inner thighs and feet.
- Take medication
There are various medicines that are effective on how to get rid of blister on lip in one day. Some of these medicines are pills and can be swallowed while others are inform of a cream and they are applied directly on the cold sores. Other antiviral drugs that are used to treat severe infections are given through injection. The various medicines includes:
Over-the counter medicines. This are anti-inflammatory or painkillers that are taken to alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by the outbreak. They include ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen. They are pills that you swallow. Aspirin is not supposed to be taken by children under the age of 12 years. They may suffer from a fatal risk of Reyes syndrome. Take the medicines as directed by the pharmacist.
Topical antivirals. Topical creams or ointments can also be used to reduce the pain, itching, burning sensation and healing time of blister on lip. Some of the topical antiviral medicines includes docosanol and tromantadine. They can be taken even without doctors prescriptions.
Oral antiviral medicines. This are medicines that are taken according to doctor’s prescription. They are effective when taken on the onset of the first symptoms. You are supposed to take them when you start to feeling the fever, tingling, itching and burning sensation on the affected parts. Such medicines includes acyclovir, penciclovir and famciclovir.
- Keep the blisters clean
Cleaning the blisters helps to keep away other bacterial infections that may increase the healing time of the blisters. You may use hydrogen peroxide in cleaning. It helps to dry out the blisters while speeding up the healing process.
Avoid touching the blisters with your hand as it may spread the infections to other parts of the body. You are supposed to leave the blisters alone or in case should you pop a blister, ensure that you wash your hands with soap thoroughly. Touching other parts of the body with infected hands can spread the infection hence delaying the healing.
- Avoid salty and spicy diet
For the blister on lip to heal faster, you need to avoid taking a diet that is salty and oil foods. Such foods causes irritation and stretching of the lips and mouth while eating. Irritations may distract the healing process of the blisters according to med-health.
How to Get Rid of Blister on Lip with Home Remedies
The outbreak of blister or cold sore on lip causes a lot of discomfort due to tingling, itching and a burning sensation on the affected areas. Various home remedies are effective on how to get rid of a cold sore that results from the outbreak of this infection. Most of the remedies are obtained from natural resources and ingredients that readily available at home and organic stores within your locality. They include:
- Ice compress. Apply a cold ice compress over the blisters. It helps to relieve the itching and burning sensation of the blisters. Apply after every hour until the pain is relieved. You may tie the ice in a towel to avoid it being too cold.
- Milk compress. Use refrigerated milk to compress the cold sores. Milk contains proteins that are essential in healing process while its cool temperatures helps to cool the blisters by relieving pain and burning sensation. You simply dab a cotton ball in cool milk and apply on the sores. Change the milk when its temperature starts to rise.
- Apply tea tree oil. Tea tree oil contains antiviral properties that are effective in controlling the cold sores Obtain yourself a diluted tea tree oil and apply immediately when the blisters starts to form. It helps to prevent formation of severe blisters on the affected area.
- Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar helps to heal the blisters by drying them out. It also kills bacteria that may cause other infections on the affected areas. Use a cotton ball to apply it on the blisters. According to wikihow.
- Tea bag. Tea bag contains antioxidants that helps in soothing the affected areas while speeding up the healing process. After making a cup of green tea, use the tea bag to relieve the discomfort by placing it over the blisters.
- Apply an Aloe Vera gel. Aloe Vera contains antibacterial properties that helps to kill bacteria that may cause infections on the blisters. It also aids in the healing process. Get the gel directly from the leaves and apply directly on the sores.
- Common salt. Although it may cause some irritations, it is a good remedy on how to get rid of blood blisters in the mouth and other affected areas. It helps to dry out the blisters fast. Moist your fingers and dab in the common salt and apply on the sores. Rinse with cool water after 5 minutes.
- Baking soda. Baking soda has a soothing effect that is important on how to get rid of blister on lip. It helps to relieve the burning sensation and itching of the sores. Mix it with cool water. Soak a washcloth in the mixture and apply on the affected areas.
This is an amino acid that contain antiviral properties that inhibits the herpes simplex virus from multiplying. Taking lysine supplements helps to promote faster healing. You may take 1000mg per day.
- Lemon balm tea. Lemon balm tea is an effective remedy in reducing the duration on how long do cold sore last by speeding up the healing process. You simply prepare lemon balm tea and apply over the sores using a cotton ball. Apply twice daily until the sores heals completely.
- Apply onion paste. Mash the onions to make a paste and apply over the sores. Alternatively, you may slice the onions into small slices and place over the sores. An onion is an anti-inflammatory that helps to relieve the burning sensation on the affected areas.
- Garlic has antibacterial properties that helps to disinfect the sore against other antibacterial infections. It also aid in the healing process by decreasing the healing duration of the blisters. Make a paste and apply over the sores daily until the blisters goes away.
- Apply vanilla extract. Vanilla extract contains alcohol components that helps to cure the sores fast. You simply apply it over the blisters 4 times a day until the blisters get healed completely.
- Hydrogen peroxide. It has antibacterial properties that helps to kill the bacteria that may cause infections on the blisters. It also helps to dry out the blisters and hence speeding up the healing process. You simply use a cotton swab to apply hydrogen peroxide over the sores. apply three times a day until the blisters goes away
- Apply Vaseline jelly. The Vaseline petroleum jelly helps to moist the sores as well as covering the blisters from other bacterial infections and the spread of the virus to other parts of your body. Use clean fingers to apply the jelly twice a day until the blisters goes away.
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory. Over the counter painkillers such as ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen are effective on how to get rid of blister on lip discomfort by relieving the pain. Take as directed by the pharmacist.
- Apply antiviral creams. Creams such as tromantadine and docosanol helps to heal the symptoms fast as well as relieving the pain. Apply twice daily on the affected areas. Creams are also effective remedy on how to get rid of a blister.
Blister on Lip Treatment, Cure
Herpes simplex is a virus that causes blister or cold sores and has no cure, there are only various treatments and prevention measures that you may use to reduce the recurrence and healing time. Some the treatments and measures includes:
Boosting your body immune system. Weak immune system is a risk factor for various diseases. Take foods that may boost your immune system such as cod liver oil, bone broth and probiotic foods and supplements. Such foods and ingredients boosts the immune system hence preventing the recurrence of blisters.
Reducing stress. Stress can be the major factor that triggers the recurrence of blisters. You need to reduce both emotional and physical stress. You may take a sleep, light exercises, play and involve in other activities that helps to relieve stress as they aid to get rid of blister on lip outbreaks. Stress can also weaken your immune system.
Avoid factors that triggers the outbreak. Factors such as high sunlight, high body temperatures can also cause the outbreak of cold sores. Apply sunscreens that contain SPF of 15 to 20 that provides maximum protection of your skin from the sun.
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