Is this a cold sore? Or something else? Photo in OP

[TediousTim]

My 12 year old has developed this painful area on her lip in the last couple of days.
No one in the family has ever had a cold sore before, so I'm not sure if this is one or not?

Can anyone with our experience tell me if this looks like a cold sore and off so, what (in your experience) is the best treatment?

Yes, it looks like a cold sore.
Zovirax cream helps, and a moisturising lip salve to help reduce the soreness and stop it drying out and cracking.
Ensure they have their own towel and washcloth and don’t share with the rest of the household, or share drinks etc with others to prevent passing it on to someone else.

Looks like a cold sore to me. aciclovir cream is most effective when you first feel the tingle but can still help speed up heeling.

I also find the compeed cold sore plasters can provide some relief.

And to try to not touch it!

Thank you both. I really appreciate it. It's one of the parenting things I've no experience of.

Pharmacists are usually brilliant for this. Take her along and they will make sure you purchase the right treatment for her age.

Thank you. I may have to take photos. She also has some complicated special needs and is highly likely to scream the pharmacy down, unfortunately. Which I'm sure is the last thing people need when they're ill and collecting medication!
The next issue will be getting any treatment onto her lip with as little stress as possible to everyone!

Te cream is nice and soothing, but it does have a slightly funny smell, which she might be sensitive to as it is right under her nose.

The aciclovir cream (brand name Zovirax)is suitable for her age and you can pick it up at the supermarket, so you don’t need a special trip to the pharmacy.

If she doesn’t like the cream a simple barrier cream will also help, Vaseline or unperfumed moisturiser. They are self limiting so if she can’t tolerate anything that is also fine, just encourage her to not scratch or pick at it (or in my case be tempted to nibble at it). Though again, that just makes it slower and isn’t a massive deal.

Making sure she doesn’t pick at it is really important as you do not want to get the virus on hands and potentially infect eyes or genitals with the virus. Also no kissing especially of babies.

I get cold sores and have all my life, no complications and the virus seems to weaken as you age with far less outbreaks. Mine are often post illness or am in the sun a bit much,