If there is one thing that will prevent you from kissing the man of your dreams, it is probably not his ex-girlfriend nor his "monster" mom ---- it is the severity of the fever blisters on your lips.

Sounds nasty? Don't fret. Understand what fever blisters are and help yourself get rid of it after mastering some quick-fix tips.Fever blisters are a type of facial lesion spotted on areas near your mouth or on the lip itself. Some equivalent terms are “recurrent herpes labialis”, “canker sores”, “mouth ulcers” and “cold sores”. A fever blister is a painful blister filled with fluid. The blister is the result of the infection from the virus that usually appears around the mouth area, but can also affect your fingers and other parts of your body. Hope and pray that the blisters do not reach your ears, because this happens to some people.

Fever blisters are caused by herpes simplex virus, but don't jump off your seat yet because this does not necessarily mean that you have a sexually transmitted disease. Herpes simplex virus has two types Type 1 herpes simplex virus affects the body tissues above your pelvic area. You also develop fever blisters with this type of herpes virus. The second type of herpes simplex virus is the sexually transmitted one, also known as “genital herpes.” This type of virus causes fever blisters only on very rare instances. (For herpes simplex treatments, learn how to get rid of herpes simplex)

Fever blisters are not fatal. These are just manifestations of a more serious infection or health problem that you are currently suffering from. To lessen the pain and remove the blisters, here are some tips you can follow:

Over-the-Counter Medications – Docosanol-based over-the-counter medications are proven to effectively suppress the outbreak of Herpes Simplex Virus 1. If your local drugstore does not have a Docosanol-based medication, you can try other medications with compounds like tannic acid, phenol, lysine and zinc – all of which stop the herpes virus from producing fever blisters.

Valtrex is a popular over-the-counter medication for fever blisters, along with Zoviraz and Famvir, because these are known to diminish the damage the virus does to your mouth. With Valtrex, Zoviraz and Famvir, you are getting your money's worth for buying effective yet affordable medicines.

You can also dab on anaesthetic ointment to relieve you from the pain. If the pain is difficult to endure, reach for an ibuprofen or paracetamol.

Home Remedies – Aside from these over-the-counter medications, you can also go for home remedies using tea tree oil, aloe vera and sage, known to fight the virus that causes fever blisters. Before using these herbs, try using a cold compress where you wrap a piece of ice in a cloth and hold it against your lips. Repeating this process several times a day should help you stand the pain. Your blisters should subside, too. You can also try using medicinal herbs.

Herbs like aloe vera can be used by rubbing its gel on your fever blisters. Aloe vera does not smell good but expect it to work wonders. Break off a leaf and apply its gel on the affected area several times a day. In a few days, your fever blisters will dry up. It is best to have an aloe vera plant around the house because you are going to use several leaves per day (For other uses of aloe vera, see 12 wondrous benefits of aloe vera). Use the same method when using tea tree oil and sage.

Petroleum Gel – You need to protect the area where fever blisters developed because the blisters can break out anytime again. Protect it with petroleum gel as this helps speed up the process of healing. Petroleum gel also shields the affected area from bacterial infection.

Watching Your Diet – The food you eat also affects the healing process. Avoid citrus, spicy and salty foods because these encourage further irritation, making your fever blisters even more painful than they already are. Natural drinks also help speed up the healing process, like buttermilk and water. About 500 milligrams of lysine will help you prevent an outbreak. As you watch your diet, you need to avoid dusty environments too, to prevent bacteria from entering into your skin.

Avoiding Stress -- Stress can make the condition worse, so stay away from anything that may cause you physical or emotional stress. Stress initiates the onset of fever blisters so learn how to deal with stress properly. Minimize your chances of developing fever blisters by engaging in yoga (For information on yoga, read the guide to yoga), meditation or the simple act of reading.

Don't Spread the Virus -- Fever blisters are most contagious on the first days and as the blisters heal so make it a point to always wash your hands. Do not expose yourself too much under the sun, especially not for several hours. Heat and sunlight triggers the growth of fever blisters. Treating yourself is a wise step to make, but do so without transmitting the virus to other people.

If you don't do anything about your fever blisters, they are most likely to go away after two weeks. In fact, after the blisters subside, they don't leave any scar on the affected areas. You only need to wait until the fever blisters disappear on their own.

On the other hand, if two weeks is too long for you, then feel free to use any of the tips above. To make the treatment more effective, administer a cure as soon as you feel the attack. The sooner you deal with your fever blisters, the less complications you are bound to have. If you have learned from this article, you might as well read how to treat a cold sore.