I had a fever blister for a panel interview last year and honestly nobody said a word about it. Keep a lip balm with spf in your pocket, dab it before you walk in so the chapped lips look calmer, and let yourself focus on the questions instead of your mouth.
Practical stuff that helped me, keep the area clean and moisturized, do not pick or stretch it while talking, and sip water instead of coffee so your lips stay hydrated. A slightly matte balm reads better than anything shiny under office lighting.
Mine always flare when I am stressed and short on sleep, so the week of an interview I go to bed early, take my lysine, and keep spf on my lips if I am outside. If you are worried about it, a quick friendly line like sorry, dealing with a cold sore usually ends the thought for everyone in the room.
Alex from Labisan here. You are not alone with this, it is far more common than people admit. The most reproducible lever for most of us is UV, so a daily mineral SPF lip balm plus steady sleep is where I would start. Log what you notice and the pattern usually shows itself.
The mental side is real, glad someone said it.
Thank you for sharing this, going to try it.
Sleep makes a huge difference for me, more than I expected.
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