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A 25-year-old member asked:
what causes fever blisters/ cold sores on my upper lip?!?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Ralph Morgan Lewisanswered
Family Medicine 38 years experience
Cold sores: Cold sores/fever blisters are cause by the herpes simplex virus. There are 2 types—oral & genital. Either type can cause a "cold sore" although the oral type is usually involved with lip lesions. There are several otc treatments to lessen symptoms, but prescription anti-viral meds work better to clear the lesions. Herpes, however, is not cured; it is suppressed & can reappear.—>.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Ralph Morgan Lewis commented
Family Medicine 38 years experience
Provided original answer
—> during periods of physical or emotional stress. The virus can be transferred even if blisters are not apparent. If you take supplements, be careful with arginine, as it can trigger an outbreak. Lysine, on the other hand, may help suppress the virus.
Feb 27, 2012
Dr. Dante De Crescenzoanswered
Dentistry 49 years experience
Herpes Virus : In many cases these are caused by the herpes virus.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Similar questions
A 39-year-old member asked:
What causes cold sores and fever blisters in the mouth and lips?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Kevin Considineanswered
Family Medicine 30 years experience
Virus: Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus and is a very common infection to get. It is estimated that 90+% of population has been exposed to this virus in childhood. Usually it is triggered by stress, lack of sleep, excess sunlight etc.. Sometimes people get them recurrently or once in awhile or sometimes once then never again. It depends but can be treated by Acyclovir and related drugs too.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Feb 20, 2019
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