DS, 8 with small blister formed on lower lip! What is it?

[ampere]

He just complained of something on his lip and I've had a look and it looks all the world like a small burn blister! It's half a cm long and maybe quarter wide. He says it hurts but he can't recall any injury- he says he just woke up with it! It's actually ON his lip.

Could it be (horror) herpes?? No other evidence, though!

[alarkaspree]

It sounds a bit like he might have been sucking it through his teeth in his sleep - maybe a bit big for that though.

Cold sores are crusty I think, it doesn't sound like that's it.

[noddyholder]

Could it be impetigo?My ds had this on his lip and it spread really fast!

[ampere]

DS has had impetigo before- needed antibiotics as it was a bit resistant to cream. That was a good year ago. I am praying it's a bash he can't recall though I'd be surprised as he howls the place down with the slightest knock! Should I get him to the GP to limit it (if poss!) if it IS herpes simplex?

[SkipHopJump]

Surely it's not that big of a deal if it IS a cold sore?
Not that I have ever had one.

[BrigitBigKnickers]

Cold sores can start with something that looks like a blister (which crusts over later)but it's usually a collection of small blisters rather than just one large one.

Doubt there is much a doctor can give you that a chemist couldn't provide.

[Flibbertyjibbet]

Nothing wrong with cold sores - some people get them some people don't.

I've had them all my life, they flare up if I'm stressed, tired or a bit under the weather.

They start off as a blister then dry and go crusty. I've tried all sorts of stuff over the years but found it best to just let them run their course, and fight the cause, ie reduce stress, eat better etc.

Good to know that there seem to be people who are disgusted at the thought of a cold sore - must remember to give you a big kiss.

[ampere]

I thought herpes simplex was a bigger deal than that! I honestly did! I have a friend who had it spread to her eye thus isn't able to learn to drive!

It would be wrong to say I'm disgusted- he's my son, BUT I am aware that herpes DOES carry 'social connotations' - I still recall the nasty ridicule DCs at my primary suffered who had sores- bit like the shudder NITS engenders still in some parents!

I am simply new to this whole thing and am seeking advice!

[SkipHopJump]

Lots of people get cold sores. You don't have to keep calling it herpes!! Lol.

At least it would mean he couldn't get that type genitally in the future.
I think likelihoods of it spreading are very, very slim.

[DorotheaPlenticlew]

My DS (now 2.4) got a primary herpes infection, we think from nursery, at around 20 months and I was absolutely bloody horrified, as I kind of thought it had "social connotations" too. But apparently something like 80% of the population carry it. (After DS had it, I got it too as it's obv mega-contagious)

DP and I both grew up in families with no history of cold sores; I think it is easy to get precious about 'em (as I was) in that situation.

Hope he doesn't have too much pain from it - the primary infection in a toddler was absolutely horrendous, worst thing ever to happen to DS by far . If poss, get a doc to look and if it is really early you can get antivirals. Our dr. misdiagnosed impetigo initially so we didn't get the proper diagnosis until too late.

[Spidermama]

I get cold sores. They start as blisters then crust over. No biggy.

[DorotheaPlenticlew]

btw, not really meaning to call you precious, just meant that I get how horror-stricken you are by the idea -- but it's really not anything to be embarrassed about

[DorotheaPlenticlew]

btw #2 - the antivirals in this case won't actually stop him having the infection, but might limit the severity of the outbreak. I know with very small children it is often extremely nasty the first time, but your DS may be old enough that it won't be like that, so don't want to frighten you.

[ampere]

Thanks to all esp Dorothea! I readily admit I was clueless as we have all been lucky enough not to have had any personal experience!

I am wondering whether I should get him to the GP or if I can get antivirals from the chemist to try and limit the attack.

Now, for fear of sounding like I'm already polishing a plague bell for him to ring, what precautions do I need to take with the rest of the family? I am thinking dining utensils and kissing, really! He doesn't share a facecloth or a towel.

[SkipHopJump]

Think you can only get antivirals from GP but honestly it's pretty pointless, they reduce infection by 24 hours if you take them as soon as problem starts.

Don't think you can catch it from a towel anyway, but I could be wrong.

[DorotheaPlenticlew]

Not sure about the towel thing; I was told to be careful about passing virus around with stuff like towels by one of the docs we saw. I remember 'cos I asked her if I had to wash them on a very hot cycle or just normal and she said normal was fine.

Think it is probably like any virus really - they do survive for a limited time on soft stuff, longer on hard surfaces, etc. I threw DS's soft toys in the machine too but with an 8 year old there is probably less dribble and toy chewing going on anyway!

There are some good websites re herpes, sorry no link but am just running bath. Good luck getting your head around it, hope it passes quickly -- if indeed it is herpes, I suppose we could be wrong!

[puppie]

Could it be Hand Foot and Mouth? My DS's symptoms started with blister on mouth then appeared on toes and fingers.

[alypaly]

you only catch the cold sore virus from someone who has it in the acute phase(whilst it is blistery and wet)
Once you have it...unfortunately it is life long. It lies dormant in the nerve endings and then things like extremes of heat,cold,emotion,fatigue can trigger it off. you can go for years with no synptoms and then just when you keast expect it ,it rears its ugly head

Dangerous if it goes near eyes or toward forhead area...go to docs if this is happening

[ParanoidAtAllTimes]

I got the primary infection when I was about 8- it was horrendous! I know it was a long time ago so things may have changed but the gp was useless at diagnosing it. The dentist diagnosed it immediately and prescribed zovirax tablets which cleared it up v quickly.

I now get cold sores very occasionally when run down and find zovirax cream clears them up very well if applied every few hours.

[BrigitBigKnickers]

The cold sore zapper machine (think you can get it in Boots or I did hear you could get it on the NHS now see here) are VERY good. I get very regular cold sores but mine very rarely blister as I use the zapper as soon as I recognise the signs (warm spot on lip usually the first indication.)

Cream wise I don't find Zovirax (acyclovir)works at all any more. I find Fenestil (which has pencyclovir ) is definitely the best.