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Heat for cold sores and fever blisters

If you put a hot rag (not too hot) on your cold sore or fever blisters, It will soothe the pain and will help them to heal faster.

Visitors comments

I disagree Comments By: K

I have battled with cold sores since I was a child and in my experience, heat makes them much worse! Try this idea if you must, but be aware that heat can be a trigger to cold sores in the first place, why would you then TREAT them with heat?
Not to be rude. Thanks

i disagree as well Comments By: cin

heat on a cold sore does feel good like when you're in the shower and holding a hot rag on your lip. but when you are outta the shower and drying off it's usually a swollen mess. i dont recomment heat at all!!!

heat bad idea Comments By: Alahna

Worst tip I have ever heard !!

botox look! Comments By: Anon

I thought that I had a pimple erupting between my nose and my top lip. I put moist heat on it to help it along and get it over with; however, the next morning I look like I had been beat up. Scared, I went to the dr. and she said it was only a fever blister. I have never had one like this before, but heat made my lip swell so intensely, I am unable to smile because the skin is so tight. Now, I am taking a presciption, applying vinegar and ice.

that sucks Comments By: taylor

i did that once and my cold sore grow ten times bigger that idea sucks what are you thinken

Don't think so! Comments By: Viv

I have struggled with coldsores for almost 30 years - even managed to get some of them staph-infected and I always found that heat; either from warm water, sun, normal warm weather just made it all worse. Eat zinc, stay out of sun until a scab develops, keep immune-system up and if you really feel like it; apply some ice (this will make it numb but not sure if it actually has any healing-effects. But..... stay away from heat (and humidity!!).

Makes sense physiologically Comments By: Anon

Applying heat is like making a mini-fever to activate the body's immune system. Although the cold sore will look more inflamed, I'd say it'd clear quicker. You're basically getting the message to your body quicker (although it may look worse in the meantime).

NO! NO! NO! Comments By: H

TRUST me!!!! Putting a hot cloth on a cold sore will only make it last longer! I have had coldsores since i can remember and never never never put anything hot on it!!!!! THE COLD SORE WILL NOT GO AWAY!!!!!! It will live on your face FOREVER!! The heat will actually make the cold sore "blossom" and stay on your face for much longer than normal

WTF! Comments By: Anon

Do not agree with this at all. Best tips I have are to NEVER touch the cold sore/heat blister. I find that if I keep my lips extremely dry and do not apply any mositure to the sore that it stays in one place and relatively small. Could be totally wrong but its the best natural method for me. Ofcourse Abreva is a great product for healing and shortening the duration of the cold sore/heat blister.

It works but not with water Comments By: Anon

Dont use a hot rag. I only recommend using heat on the cold sore when its starting to scab or peel.
Before scabbing salt, toothpaste and alcholo works to dry it out.
Then it starts to get yellowish/brownish where it starts scabbing.
From there do not use salt or anything, sometimes alochol, no chapsticks nothing moist like that!
Appying heat in ways such as stream from hot tap water or from boiling water put a towel over your head and the face near the stream so the stream hits your mouth, affecting the cold sore, do it for 5-10 mins make sure it doesnt get soggy. It will heal faster and fall off quicker.
Another way is if you have a space heater put your mouth near it (not touching) for 3-5 mins each hour, you will notice the scab getting darker and flacky almost to fall off.

Bad Bad Bad idea please use ice instead then dry lip Comments By: ANON

I am a Massage Therapist with some advice. Any moisture or heat will make the cold sore spread! Any doctor will tell u that herps are spread very quickly to moist, warm, dark crevices on the body. Heat only relaxes sore muscles and does nothing 4 inflamation. It may feel good at first because heat is relaxing and sedative,heat will increases blood flow making the swelling of the lip 10 times worse. Use an ice or cold pack directly to the sore with light pressure for 5 to 10 min or untill the ice cube melts. This will help in keeping the virus dormant and reduce swelling. Be sure to dry any moisture afterwards, and appy 100% acetone nail polish remover with no silica, geletin or additives(i hate chemicals but it works 4 me) GOOD lUCK!!!

YOUR CRAZY!!!!!!! Comments By: Tyler Hansbrough Lover

I've had fever blisters and cold sores since i was 6 or 7. Heat is not going to treat them i mean cumon i have between 3 and 6 a month sometimes. DO NOT USE THIS REMEDY!!!!!!!

tea tree oil Comments By: liz... uk

this dried up me severe blisters in a couple of days.would recomend it.ive tried alsorts over the years to no avail.