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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is this a cold sore?

38 replies

FootballOn · 24/07/2026 16:47

Assistance needed please!
When you have the beginnings of a cold sore, what does it look like and how does it feel?

9yr old has a red dot on the outside of her lip and one red dot on her actual lip and says her lip feels dry/cracked even though it isn’t dry.
Is this a cold sore?

Is this a cold sore?
OP posts:
Amiiee · 24/07/2026 20:54

It looks identical to bacterial infection or graze on day 1.

FootballOn · 24/07/2026 20:36

I’ve just smothered some Zovirax on in case.
do you think it LOOKS like a coldsore?
Thanks for your replies ❤️

OP posts:
Amiiee · 24/07/2026 20:32

Hope not, could be bacterial

FootballOn · 24/07/2026 20:24

@Amiiee I asked her about this and she went to the park with friends a few days ago and confessed she had been drinking out of her friends water bottle despite having her own, so I’m guessing this is where it’s come from

OP posts:
FootballOn · 24/07/2026 20:22

Shit just thought my toddler was blasting his sisters recorder all of yesterday
FFS

OP posts:
Amiiee · 24/07/2026 20:22

You also have to take into consideration whether any relatives with the virus have kissed her, and whether she shares drinks with other people. If not then she wouldn't be exposed to the virus.

Amiiee · 24/07/2026 20:20

You will have a better idea over the next day or 2

FootballOn · 24/07/2026 20:19

She says it’s not itchy or painful other than if she smiles (I think she means like if you have really dry cracked lips and smile, except her lips aren’t dry or cracked)

OP posts:
Amiiee · 24/07/2026 20:16

Yeah but I wouldn't jump to that at this stage.

TokyoSushi · 24/07/2026 20:15

Definitely could be…

managingexpectations · 24/07/2026 20:14

It definitely could be. Is it itchy or tingly/painful? If it is I’d say it is.
I get cold sores often and some of them are very painful when they start out. Often the first sign looks like a small spot then it develops into blisters

FootballOn · 24/07/2026 20:11

This is it now - coldsore?

Is this a cold sore?
OP posts:
Amiiee · 24/07/2026 17:01

Can't tell. She should avoid touching it, and if it's a cold sore it will soon turn into a sort of transparent scab with a yellowish fluid visible beneath it. It would then usually crack apart leaving a raw area before properly scabbing over.