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Remedies for Children With Cold Sores

Cold sores are small, contagious fluid-filled blisters that appear on the skin around the mouth, nose or face. They are also known as fever blisters. Most cases of cold sores originate in children under the age 10 who typically are exposed through eating utensils or casual contact with previously infected individuals. While there is no permanent remedy for the condition, several methods are available to lessen the symptoms of an outbreak.

  1. Understanding Cold Sore Symptoms

    • According to Children's Hospital Boston, cold sores are caused by exposure to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). If your child is infected with HSV-1, there may be no initial symptoms beyond a general sore feeling in the mouth and swelling of the gums. In other cases, there may be no initial symptoms at all, and the virus may remain dormant for an extended period. When an active cold sore outbreak occurs, your child's symptoms may include itching and irritation of the mouth; tingling and soreness of the lips; and the formation of one or more blisters that enlarge, break open and crust over. These indications may be accompanied by swollen lymph glands in the neck and fever. If these signs appear, see your child's pediatrician for a proper diagnosis.

    Treatments

    • There is no known cure for an HSV-1 infection. Typically, cold sore outbreaks last from 5 to 10 days, then disappear on their own. During an outbreak, take a number of steps to ease your child's discomfort. To control pain, try periodic applications of an ice pack or other cold source on the site of the cold sore. If you choose this approach, do not apply ice directly to the skin. Alternatively, give your child appropriate doses of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). When given to children, aspirin can trigger a life-threatening condition called Reye's syndrome, so avoid it. You may also provide pain relief through use of a lidocaine cream or benzyl alcohol.

      Your child's pediatrician may recommend or prescribe use of ointments designed to dry out cold sores and prevent neighboring skin from cracking. If this is the case, apply the recommended product according to instructions. In some cases, cold sores are accompanied by secondary bacterial infections, which may be treated through suitable prescribed antibiotics.

      During an outbreak, make sure your child avoids sour, spicy or salty foods, which have a tendency to worsen cold sore symptoms. Also make sure he follows good hygiene rules as thoroughly as possible, including regular hand-washing before and after meals. HSV-1 infection in the eyes can cause a serious infection called ocular herpes, so warn your child against touching his eyes during a cold sore outbreak.

      You may help diminish the occurrence of cold sore outbreaks by understanding and avoiding environmental triggers that make an outbreak more likely. Potential triggers include stress, fevers, colds, immune system depression, injury and exposure to sunlight.

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