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Original poster

Toddler with recurring coldsores. Help!

52 replies

Monty000 · 24/06/2019 22:14

I'm an absolute mess. My son got his first severe coldsore outbreak 9 months ago. (We have no idea how he got it) He averages 2 coldsores a month but since it's come into winter and catching all the bugs, he is getting a coldsore weekly. This month alone he has gotten 4!!!

He is only 2.2 years old and its BREAKING my heart seeing him go through this. No specialist or doctor will do anything and said for us to hope it gets better the older he gets. I can't accept that and I'm really struggling to deal with it. It's affected me emotionally, my relationship with my partner and life in general.

I'm starting to become very depressed. We are now using zovirax but seems to make no difference and I hate having to use it almost every day now.

I need to talk to someone who has been in the same situation and to tell me it gets better. I'm struggling!

OP posts:
Original poster
Monty000 · 09/07/2019 00:42

It's just terrible. Are you finding that they are scarring? My son has lost some of his lip pigmentation because of them!!

OP posts:
Graphista · 09/07/2019 01:17

What blood tests have been done?

How is your child's health in general?

There are a few underlying conditions that can make people more vulnerable to this virus and its effects but there's absolutely no reason for anyone to be left suffering.

That goes for 1300cakes too, it sounds like you are being fobbed off and that's unacceptable.

Original poster
Monty000 · 09/07/2019 01:52

Since starting childcare he is sick alot but fights it off. Health otherwise good. Getting blood tests in the next few weeks but I still have a feeling they won't do anything if it comes back ok

OP posts:

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Children's health Skin conditions
Boopeedoop · 09/07/2019 03:50

Try Lysine ointment from Holland and Barrett.

feesh · 09/07/2019 06:40

My cold sores (which were really bad) were basically cured by a light box thing that I bought from Boots years and years ago. It uses infra red light and the manufacturers admit that they don’t know how it works; it was discovered by accident, but it really does work. Unfortunately Boots stopped selling them (I think they sold or lost the license), but I have seen them on Amazon, albeit at a much inflated price. I used it for about a year whenever I had an outbreak and now I never get them - well I do actually get really mild ones when I am run-down, but they are hardly noticeable and my body kicks them into touch within 24 hours.

Thatnovembernight · 09/07/2019 07:30

I had terrible cold sores as a child and all through my teens. The light thing mentioned by a pp slowed them down in my twenties and then oral Aciclovir got rid of them. I only get around one a year now by using Aciclovir. Compeed patches are brilliant when one does sneak up on me.

I have had zillions of cold sores and though the redness takes a while to fade I do not have a single scar if that is at all reassuring.

One of my kids had what looked like one aged 4 and I took him to the GP and said how upset I was as my childhood was really marked them. She told me that that didn’t need to happen any more due to anti viral meds etc. Maybe your little one could have them in a couple of years? I hope you get some answers.

Rosebud21 · 09/07/2019 08:13

Weather extremes, sun or cold, windy weather trigger cold sores on my lips/around my mouth. Eating cashew nuts (which I love) is also a trigger so I've cut down. I've found using aciclovir cream once or twice a day on my lips when it's sunny or I have a cold reduces outbreaks.

Original poster
Monty000 · 04/08/2019 23:08

How do you handle the stress when they come up hun?

OP posts:
Flywheel · 04/08/2019 23:25

My dd had coldsores particularly every winter for about 3 years. It was extremely distressing for her. She also has a learning disability and when the tingling would start she would bite her lips. They were destroyed and she was in a lot of pain. Doc prescribed liquid zovirax low dose which she took all winter. She rarely got any after that and no longer takes the medication either. Hasn't had one in years and no scars. Fingers crossed for your ds

Queenie0 · 09/08/2021 17:44

Hi, just came across your thread as we are going through something similar with our little one.

Just wondering do you have any advice

Gilleire · 08/12/2023 19:03

Hi, I am going through the same thing right now and it is so upsetting watching my little boy lik this. I was wondering if this improved for your little one at all?

Gilleire · 08/01/2025 22:19

Wondering if and when this got any better ? as I'm going through this right now with my 2 year old and it's heart breaking! To make it worse I have twin babies and the fear he will pass it to them is horrendous !!!

Gilleire · 08/01/2025 22:26

Thatnovembernight · 09/07/2019 07:30

I had terrible cold sores as a child and all through my teens. The light thing mentioned by a pp slowed them down in my twenties and then oral Aciclovir got rid of them. I only get around one a year now by using Aciclovir. Compeed patches are brilliant when one does sneak up on me.

I have had zillions of cold sores and though the redness takes a while to fade I do not have a single scar if that is at all reassuring.

One of my kids had what looked like one aged 4 and I took him to the GP and said how upset I was as my childhood was really marked them. She told me that that didn’t need to happen any more due to anti viral meds etc. Maybe your little one could have them in a couple of years? I hope you get some answers.

GP and pediatrician in Ireland have said under no circumalstances will they prescribe low dose antivirals for my son who gets coldsores probably every 2 weeks in winter, it is so distressing and every GP I have been to acts like I am making a big deal out of nothing!

Lighteningstrikes · 08/01/2025 23:55

My sympathies.
Zoirex as soon as possible at the very very start of it appearing.

The only problem is you will have to be extremely vigilant. When it’s your own, you can feel it, before it is visible, and if you act straight away it stops it.

Midlifecrisisxamillion · 09/01/2025 05:01

I used to get tons as a child. A monthly thing. It was a bit of a pain but not a massive deal. As an adult, I hardly ever get one - maybe once every couple of years. It's honestly not a huge thing. The cold sore plasters might help.

Mila202424 · 10/01/2025 04:34

Did they say why not? My 3 year old is currently on a 6 month course to try and reduce th frequency

Alondra · 10/01/2025 05:02

Zovirax, Zovirax and Zovirax! The moment you see the first symptoms of the cold sore, apply the cream 5 times a day, for 4 days. It needs very little cream but has to be applied very often.

You'll notice how the cold sores disappear quicker and will decrease in frequency until it become years before he has another outbreak.

If you are going to the beach, be specially careful. The combo of sun, salty water and wind is deadly for cold sores. Use a zinc stick on his lips, it's completely safe for babies and toddlers and will prevent the outbreak.

Good luck.

Gilleire · 12/01/2025 22:11

Mila202424 · 10/01/2025 04:34

Did they say why not? My 3 year old is currently on a 6 month course to try and reduce th frequency

Does it seem to be working? It's not done in Ireland by the sound of it, when I suggested it they were shocked and said there is no way they would prescribe oral antivirals are a precaution, no reason was given!

Gilleire · 12/01/2025 22:12

Alondra · 10/01/2025 05:02

Zovirax, Zovirax and Zovirax! The moment you see the first symptoms of the cold sore, apply the cream 5 times a day, for 4 days. It needs very little cream but has to be applied very often.

You'll notice how the cold sores disappear quicker and will decrease in frequency until it become years before he has another outbreak.

If you are going to the beach, be specially careful. The combo of sun, salty water and wind is deadly for cold sores. Use a zinc stick on his lips, it's completely safe for babies and toddlers and will prevent the outbreak.

Good luck.

So zovirax actually stops them from coming back also? I didn't know this, I used it before and didn't think it helped them disappear any faster so stopped using it. I will give it a go again though in that case, thanks

Mila202424 · 13/01/2025 08:26

To be honest not yet but they don’t really blister just come up as a mark that lasts a day or 2. I think because they became frequent when baby arrived it’s to reduce risk to her that they have agreed to prescribe. I’m also going to use compeed patches so they are covered

Gilleire · 15/01/2025 21:42

That's something at least, I hope the frequency will get less and less for ye. I tried the compeed patches but not a hope my 2 year old was leaving them on there.

Mila202424 · 24/03/2025 14:07

@Gilleire how are things for you now did you get anywhere with the doctors?

Gilleire · 24/03/2025 14:17

@Mila202424 was back at the gp (a different one) this morning and DS currently has 2 huge ones, one on hus cheek where he never had one before. Refused to prescribe oral antiviral medication but has referred us on to a dermatologist 🤞

Gilleire · 24/03/2025 14:22

@Mila202424 has the 6month course helped your little one?

Mila202424 · 24/03/2025 19:30

That’s great you have been referred our GP had to ask dermatologist before prescribing for us. They increased the dose a month ago which seems to have helped and to continue for a little longer 🤞

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