Sores in the mouth can develop in people of all ages. One of these types of lesions is termed a cold sore. If you're a parent, you may be particularly concerned about cold sores in children. Here's why children may get cold sores, what symptoms are involved and how you might treat this condition.
What Is a Cold Sore?
According to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, cold sores (also known as fever blisters) are small lesions that appear around the mouth and lips. These sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, which typically enters the body through a cut in the skin either in or around the mouth. Children typically get the herpes simplex virus from a parent, who may spread it by sharing utensils or kissing.
Once exposed to the virus, certain factors can trigger an outbreak of cold sores. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that fatigue and stress, increased exposure to certain types of weather, illness, hormonal change and a poor diet can all be contributing factors for the appearance of cold sores.
Cold Sore Symptoms
The Mayo Clinic states that cold sores are very common and quite contagious. The outbreak of one or more herpes lesions often begins as a tingling, itchy patch of skin around the mouth resulting in one or more blisters. The blisters may then join together or break and emit a clear fluid, leaving a cratered sore that forms a scab. The scabbed lesion usually heals within two to four weeks. A herpes simplex virus outbreak may be accompanied by pain, sore lymph nodes, muscle aches and eroded gum tissue.
Treatment for Cold Sores in Children
There is no current cure for cold sores. The AAP encourages parents to see their pediatrician when a child exhibits the signs and symptoms of cold sores. This step is important because they can determine the cause of the mouth sores and whether your child has contracted the herpes virus or another condition.
To ease your child's cold sore at home, you can try applying ice or a warm cloth to the area. If their pain is severe, your pediatrician may recommend pain medication or an over-the-counter cream.
Prevention Tips
Cold sores can spread from adult to child, child to child or child to adult. These lesions may also reoccur once a child is initially infected with the condition, as the Mayo Clinic explains. It's important for the person affected and their family to practice proper hand hygiene to decrease the spread of the disease and proper oral hygiene to decrease germs within the mouth.
Additional personal habits that may help to prevent the spread of the condition include:
- Not sharing utensils
- Having those who have a herpes simplex virus outbreak avoid touching and kissing a child
- Taking extra precaution if you are an individual who has a weakened immune system or is under stress — as both situations increase the chances of a herpes simplex outbreak
If your child has a cold sore outbreak, rest assured that the condition is common, but it's very important for you to take the proper steps to prevent the spread of the virus.
