What are cold sores?
Cold sores are a cluster of painful bumps or blisters on the
outer lip. They happen only on one side of the mouth. Just before a cold sore
develops, your child may feel a tingling or burning on the outer lip at the same
place where he had cold sores before.
What is the cause?
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. The sores
happen for the first time after your child has had contact with someone with
herpes. Once infected, the virus stays in the body and can cause cold sores
again. About 20% of adults have recurring cold sores. The sores come back
because of sunburn, fever, friction, stress, or physical exhaustion.
How long do they last?
The blisters will rupture, scab over, and dry up. After the
sores are dry your child is not contagious. The whole process takes 10 to 14
days. The sores do not cause scars. If started early, treatment with antiviral
pills can shorten the course by many days.
How can I take care of my child?
- Ice
If you feel tingling in the usual place but the blisters are
not yet present, apply an ice cube or ice pack continuously for 30 minutes.
This may stop the infection.
- Cold sores ointment
Once you get fever blisters, start applying a special cold
sore ointment as soon as any small bumps appear. Docosanol (Abreva) is an
example of one nonprescription cream. If you don't have a special ointment,
cover the fever blisters with petroleum jelly to reduce the pain. Reapply it 4
times a day.
- Medicines
Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief. Once you get
fever blisters, you usually can't shorten the course unless you have
antiherpes pills and start them as soon as any small bumps appear. These
require a prescription and some health care providers do not approve of them
for this purpose. Antiherpes ointments do not shorten the course.
How can cold sores be prevented?
Fever blisters are often triggered by exposure to sunlight.
Using a lip balm that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 30 can help prevent cold
sores.
Avoid spreading this germ to another person's eye because an
infection there can be serious. Therefore, discourage picking, and wash the
hands frequently. Since the condition is contagious, have your child avoid
kissing other people during this time. If your child is young and puts
everything in his mouth, avoid sharing toys with other kids for a week.
When should I call my child's
health care provider?
Call during office hours if:
- Any sores occur near the eye.
- The sores last longer than 2 weeks.
- You have questions about prescription medicines for herpes.
- You have other concerns or questions.
