To be so anxious/hysterical about coldsores?

[chillsznisnow]

So for context im 37 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child so anxiety is majorly heightened anyway right now.

In the last few years i’ve noticed i’ve got coldsores 2-4 times a year. I had one appear a few days ago. An absolute corker.
They always turn up on the wet / dry border so I can’t wear a Compede patch as they always flap off without fail.

I have OCD & health anxiety generally so that doesn’t help.

But I am so paranoid about my 4 year old catching it. I don’t kiss him of course until its entirely gone and fully healed. But he’s so cuddly and affectionate and also a 4 year old so his arms are always flapping about. The amount of times his hand/arm has touched my lip during this outbreak has freaked me out. Because of course he can also get herpetic whitlows from my lip. Each time his flailing arm/hand has tapped it i’ve immediately used hand sanitizer on it and then washed his hands. I’m constantly watching his lip to see if one comes up.
He’s got a little bump on his finger this AM which im now paranoid about. I’m then worried if he got a whitlow he could then pass it to his boy bits. I’m a mess! The poor boy hates it everytime i’m scrubbing at his hands. I’ve even used an antibacterial wipe on his lip because he grabbed my cup id drunk out of.

I’m constantly researching the possibility of transmission. I’d be devastated if I passed it to him and know i’d be eaten up with guilt.

Hubby thinks i’m being way over the top.
AIBU?

Hi, have you spoken to someone at your GP practice? They may prescribe you some aciclovir and the next flare (or now) or a preventative course of it? Especially with a newborn on the way. It's also used in pregnancy. If it's making you this stressed it's something they may consider.

Thanks NRS. I’ve started taking aciclovir in the last week for this reason. 💕

I don’t want to heighten your anxiety, but please be very careful with your newborn when the time comes. The cold sore virus is very dangerous and can be fatal.
Can you wear a patch over the sore so there’s no contact with your son?
I get regular coldsores and have been taking acyclovir as a preventative measure every day for several years. If I miss a dose I immediately get a cold sore.
https://www.kittarkafoundation.org/

Thank you for your reply. I will be extremely careful with my newborn. I have already gone through that with my other 2 children. I can wear a patch however it always comes off as it’s in the wet / dry border of my mouth always! so they don’t last 5 mins!

Im currently taking aciclovir and will continue to do so for a while now.

Great, that will help settle them down and make spreading them much less likely. Hopefully you can relax a bit more, and enjoy newborn snuggles x

Yes fingers crossed! I remember when my son was born I was scrutinising every dot and rash it drove me to the brink of insanity! But this time I feel yes, take the aciclovir and hopefully it’ll lift some of that anxiety!

I feel for you OP. Health anxiety is a bastard. It gave me severe PND with my firstborn. I was convinced something would go very, badly wrong. Dark days...

Can you use one of those patches over it when you have an active one? Also I’ve heard lysine supplements can potentially reduce the number of cold sores you get, so taking that daily can’t hurt. It’s great you already have aciclovir. Stress can also make them more frequent so try not to stress too much about it. Good hygiene is key and you’re already doing all that.

I understand your pain.

When my first born was born I got a coldsore a day after birth. From my lip to my nose and around the nostrils. Took me right back to childhood

I just couldn't snuggle or out my head close to my newborn and thankfully she's 5 now and not had one ever.

My son is 2.5 and never caught it

I'm praying my third doesn't either but I don't kiss my babies on the lips and practice extreme
Hygiene because I know how I've felt all my life suffering from cold sores just because my grandma kissed me as a baby with a fucking coldsore.

OP, My mum gets cold sores. Growing up we were an affectionate family. She made sure she never kissed my brother or me when she had one, but that was the only precaution she took. Brother and I both in 40s now and never had one. Hope that helps reassure you x

You could always use the acyclovir cream on the cold sore to help dry it out. There’s no problem doing that while taking tablets, you won’t overdose.

My lips are scarred from years of coldsores. Now I find if I rub an ice cube over my lips at the first sign of that tingle/little lump appearing it puts a stop to them progressing.

The really scary outcomes for newborns with the Herpes simplex virus tend to happen when the mother has no immunity to the virus and the baby contracts it as a newborn from someone with an active coldsore. OP will be passing some immunity in right now as her body fights infection. It doesn’t mean it’s risk free to kiss your new born if you get a cold sore outbreak and you’re the mother, but in general the risks to health or life are much reduced.

I always had a problems with a cold sore. Used all the creams and tablets. But the best solution came with the vitamin C from Holland and Barrett. I would take 6 1000mg tablets 3-4 times a day. It dries up within 2 days. You wouldn't even notice it. Very much recommend it. The kids most probably already have it but their immune system is so strong it will suppress the virus.

Thanks guys. Sadly due to the location of my cold sores it’s always on the wet/dry border so they last all of a few minutes before flapping off.

I have also started taking lysine with the aciclovir. Thank you. Vitamin c I will probably have to wait until baby is here as high doses probably won’t be ok on his system. But thank you for excellent advice and I will take it up once baby is born.

Here is a pic of my sons questionable bump on his finger. So worried it’s a whitlow.

You could put a coldsore patch or an ordinary plaster on your son’s finger to help prevent it spreading in case it is Herpes whitlow. But it’s likely to be a mosquito bite or eczema.

That's not a cold sore. I wouldn't worry about it.