coldsores in toddlers and babies

[Giraffe5]

My 3yo has started with coldsores. I feel like I can't keep on track of them because they appear before I can put the cream on. The problem is, she is very kissy and I've exhausted watching her and stopping her from kissing her little sister but I've just walked in on her kissing my 4m old on the lips! I'm so upset!! As adults, we know but I just can't control her kissing and now it looks like she will have passed it on to our second child

[laurita42]

Thank you, that's helpful. It's hard when they are so little not to be scared! Really appreciate the response.

[outputgap]

Don't kiss her anymore while you have an active coldsore. And try to not touch yours, although the patch should be protecting her.

But the good news is that as this isn't your first cold sore, you have passed immunity to the herpes virus to your dd, so she should be fine. The horrendous tragedies associated with cold sores in newborns have been where the mothers had no previous exposure to the virus.

But of course, ifshe seems unwell or develops a cold sore, do see your gp.

[laurita42]

Sorry to hijack - I have a 3 week old DD & I have just got a cold sore. I have been getting them since my teens, and had at least 1 when I was pregnant. As soon as I noticed today I put on a compeed patch & have been hand washing carefully. I have never kissed her on the lips, only on cheek, head or nose, & today only on head. She is ebf & is fine now.

I, however, am freaking out-I'm so scared of her being infected as it's so dangerous. Can someone reassure me?

[nearlyreadytopop]

http://m.boots.com/h5/cathub?unCountry=uk&path=/en/Boots-Electronic-Cold-Sore-Machinee_1129542/

This is expensive but amazing. I use it at the first tingle and usually the cold sore doesn't develop any further. A game where dd tells you about a tingle and then you can use it.
Lyesine has also been recommended to me by a plastics doctor and it works too (when I remember to use it).

[gunting]

OP I get cold sores and when I started coming out with one when my son was 1m old I was terrified.

I was told that if I have had a cold sore before I was pregnant then there would be some antibodies passed on to ds and he was protected for 6m.

[outputgap]

Well, mine did a fair bit of head butting and climbing on each other in play tunnels (not affectionate enough for kisses) before I realised and dc2, despite his eczema, didn't get it.

I did get prophylactic oral solution zoirax from the GP for him though, on the basis of his eczema (and me throwing a hissy fit with the Nice guidelines... er herm).

[Giraffe5]

Wish I'd have know earlier. I fear it's too late now

[outputgap]

Just in the chemist. They're quite expensive but totally worth it if your 3 year old will leave it on. Even my son's eczema consultant was impressed by what a great solution it is for an older child with cold sore and a little one who you don't want to catch it.

[Giraffe5]

Outputgap did you get the plasters from the doctor or did you buy them over the counter?
I'm gutted. She's just done It again getting ready for bed. I was inches away and she was so fast. It's like a game now. I'm so cross

[outputgap]

I have been able to keep the cold sore plasters on a 3 year old. They are really sticky and very subtle.

[Eva50]

Ds2 (18) has had dreadful cold sores since he was a toddler, which he probably got from me, but neither of his brothers have ever had one. Hopefully your little one will be lucky.

[Goandplay]

My DS has awful coldsores. So far my Dtwins have not had any and there has been lots of mistake kisses.
We tell DS only kiss on the cheek when he has one.

My DS was really suffering with them almost back to back and they were massive, saw GP and she said to keep his lips hydrated with lip balm and a thin layer of eczema cream day and night - this has helped.

I would maybe get a light barrier type cream for baby to keep skin a bit protected too.

HTH.

[Giraffe5]

Thanks for your reply. That's exactly how my oldest for her coldsores. She just jumped on me a few months ago and now she's riddled for life with the horrible things. I'm still gutted about it and now the worry of my youngest getting them.

I'm upset that other people will be wary of her with a coldsore too. I keep applying Zovirax when I think she may get one but hope she will be able to tell me when she gets the tingle as she grows up