Cold sore in baby - how urgent?

[ElusiveMoose]

My 10 week old has what I'm pretty sure is a cold sore. I've heard that cold sores can be very serious in newborn babies, but I don't know the definition of 'newborn' - for children generally, my medical book just says ignore them and they'll go away on their own. So..... it being a Saturday, my only options before Monday are do nothing or go to the hospital, which seems a bit dramatic. Does anyone have any advice??

I seem to remember KerryMum posting about one of her boys being very ill as a baby because of a coldsore. Not sure how young he was.

Phone NHS24 and ask their advice, or out of hours service.

Definitely seek medical opinion now. Don't wait till Monday.

Thank you so much. I just called NHS Direct who are a bunch of absolute fuckwits. The woman kept telling me not to give him spicy food (he's 10 weeks, FFS!), but that unfortunately none of the OTC remedies is suitable because of his age (you don't say...). A nurse might be calling me back in a year or two. So I called the midwives at the Delivery Suite where I had him - they phoned the paediatric dept who said I should definitely get him seen today, so I'm just waiting to get an appointment with my local emergency GP. Thanks again.

sure its not empitigo? Looks very similar to coldsores.

You need to get it checked out asap as this spreads like wildfire and is painful

Elusive
How is he? Did you get him seen?

You'll need to get it properly diagnosed urgently.

May not be viral but a bacterial skin infection instead.

Thanks so much for your concern. Well, I saw the out of hours GP, who reassured me at the time, though I do hope he was being sufficiently thorough . He said that he wasn't convinced that it was a cold sore (looks like one to me, but then I'm not a doctor). He did acknowledge that cold sores can be extremely dangerous for young babies, but said that because DS2 seems quite well in himself (maybe a touch more grizzly than usual, but eating and sleeping fine, and generally alert and reasonably cheerful), he didn't think there was any need for an ointment or any antiviral drugs. However, he did say that I should have a very low threshold for seeing a doctor again - if the cold sore (if that's what it is) seems to spread, or if DS2 appears unwell, then I should go straight back to see someone. So I guess I leave it at that for now, but keep a very close eye on him...?

I saw KerryMum on the Xfactor thread, she said that up to 6 weeks is the critical time. Give her a shout, maybe she is still around.

Difficult situation, but if you are not happy, then go to a different doc or go back to your GP.

Thank you, you are so kind. I love MN. Don't know KerryMum - is she a MW/Dr type person? Won't do anything tonight, but if there's any sign of worsening tomorrow, will go straight back to doctor. And may try to see normal GP on Monday in any case.

Hope he is looking better this morning.

KerryM is not a medical professional but I know one of her sons had a coldsore as a baby. I had not known how serious it can be until she posted about it.

Thanks again. He seems ok, and the patch on his lip is healing quickly, so looks like the doctor was right and it wasn't a coldsore after all. But in any case, thanks for your concern. I hope KerryMum's son was ok.