Cold sores, also called fever blisters because of the presence of fever during its duration, are small blisters around the mouth and the lips. The skin is often swollen and red, not to mention painful and sore. Worse, the blisters can break open and then leak clear fluid!

Although cold sores can heal on their own after several days, their presence is a source of social embarrassment. Fortunately, there are inexpensive remedies that can accelerate the healing process and help you get rid of fever blisters.

First, you can take lysine supplements in the recommended dosage of 1,000mg taken 3 times daily. Lysine supplements are safe to use simply because it is an essential amino acid found in most of the foods that we eat like red meat, eggs, milk, cheese and fish. However, you must avoid eating foods rich in arginine like peanuts, chocolates and almonds as it counteracts the beneficial effects of lysine.

Or you can also apply lysine ointment directly on the cold sores. Studies have pointed out its high treatment rate - 40 percent of subjects enjoyed full treatment in 3 days while 87 percent reported it in 6 days – that can be used in conjunction with the lysine supplement itself. Also, it can relieve the itching and pain of cold blisters.

Second, you can drink Vitamins B, C and E as early as possible. B-complex vitamins support the nervous system to help it fight the herpes virus and help in managing stress that contributes to the cold sores outbreak.

Vitamin C lessens both the number of sores and the duration of the outbreak. You can either increase your intake of Vitamin-C rich foods or just take added doses of Vitamin C capsules.

Vitamin E speeds up the healing process and reduces the pain associated with open blisters. Just break open a Vitamin E capsule and apply the oil into the blisters for about 30 minutes using a cotton ball.

There are also herbal plants that you can use to get rid on your cold sores. First, lemon balm possesses antiviral properties that can either be topically applied or drank as tea. You can apply lemon balm ointment directly on the blisters several times daily. Or you can also prepare a lemon balm tea, drink it and then apply the dregs on the blisters for about 1-2 hours.

Second, tea tree oil also has antiviral properties that also relieve itching. Just place a few drops of tea tree oil on a cotton ball and then apply on the areas where the cold sores will develop as well as on the blisters themselves.

Third, the juice of the aloe vera plant can either be rubbed directly into the blisters or taken as a juice drink. This is especially helpful when the fever blisters are just developing although it can stop the worsening of the condition, too.

Of course, there are over-the-counter antiviral medications for cold sores. However, these can be pretty expensive and considering that there are equally effective but inexpensive remedies, why spend the money? Still, if you desire to take every action possible to get rid of your cold blisters fast, then these medications are good, too.