Fever blisters, or herpes labialis, are caused by the herpes simplex 1 virus, according to Medline Plus 1. Swollen, reddened lesions on the lips or skin surrounding the mouth characterize the condition. A fever blister can be both painful and displeasing to the eye -- the area may ooze or form a crust that can make you feel self-conscious. A fever blister can last for as long as 3 weeks, but various treatments can speed up the recovery process.

Wash the fever blister with an antiseptic soap and water immediately after you notice its development, according to MedlinePlus. This helps to prevent the virus from spreading to other areas of the skin. If the blister is oozing, gently wash several times until it shows signs of healing, such as crusting or reduced swelling.

Ask your physician for a prescription antiviral medication. These medications -- acyclovir, famciclovir or valacyclovir -- help to fight the herpes simplex virus that caused your fever blister. Taking these medications at the onset of a fever blister can help the blister heal faster. If you experience frequent fever blister outbreaks, your physician may prescribe a medication for you to have on-hand should a fever blister occur, ensuring you can initiate treatment faster.

Apply a topical antiviral cream on the fever blister. Containing the active ingredient penciclovir andacyclovir, this cream should be applied every 2 hours. The application of a cream can reduce your fever blister occurrence by as much as a day, according to MedlinePlus.

Eat a diet of soft and bland foods to avoid irritating the fever blister while it is healing, suggests the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research 2. This can avoid further irritation to the fever blister, allowing it to heal more quickly.

Apply a soothing lip balm to the affected area in order to prevent dryness and cracking that can cause sores to develop on or around the fever blister, according to Colgate.com. Purchase a lip balm that contains a sunscreen, as the sun can further exacerbate your fever blister.