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Cold Sores in Children
Like adults, children are prone to cold sores when exposed to the herpes virus. This exposure most commonly occurs via contact with parents, siblings or close friends and relatives who have been initially infected with the virus. It is most commonly transmitted by kissing.
Once the child is infected with the herpes simplex virus, other children can be infected as well. Children most commonly get the herpes simplex 1 virus, which usually invades the child’s throat, lips and mouth region. This makes children very uncomfortable and some even develop fever, swollen glands in the neck region and general body aches that mimic the flu.
This virus, once in the child’s system, remains intact and lays dormant in a nerve located near the cheekbone. It occasionally may travel to the skin surface causing a recurrence of fever blisters.
The best treatment that parents can give to their children is to keep the area clean and dry to prevent any bacteria from entering the wound and causing an infection. Children should be told not to touch the area so that spreading to other areas does not occur. Soft bland diets are important as well as continuous drinking of liquids.
Below is a summary of care for children during this infective time:
- avoid rubbing area (a bandage covering lesion can be helpful).
- keep area clean to prevent bacterial infection.
- Use gloves if applying medicated ointment to the sore.
- have child eat a soft bland diet and keep them hydrated.
- on cold or windy days keep child’s mouth covered.
- on sunny days, have child wear a protective lip balm.
Treatments can include:
- use of medications such as Acyclovir, a new antiviral drug.
- use of a new FDA-approved prescription drug called Denavir.
- Zilactin-L can help speed the recovery time.
There are many other excellent products on the market that can help decrease the occurrence of cold sores and help speed the healing time. Children should be reassured that the lesion(s) will heal shortly. Parents should always see their pediatricians or pediatric dentists to evaluate the severity of these conditions before they proceed to try and self treat the condition.
