Got a cold sore - how do I stop my 9 month DD getting it and how do I treat it

[Tapster]

I do think my DD my have already been in contact through the cold sore virus either through my brother or dad - she has had what looks like cold sores 3 times, the last time it stayed for a few days. Is this possible?

I have just got my first cold sore since I got pregnant - must be hormones as I am very prone to them normally. I used to take high doses of lysine to prevent them, I'm still BF so I can't take it. Can I use zorivax, never really works for me though if BF?

Obviously I won't be kissing DD on the lips and washing my hands frequently. Any other precautions I should be taking? How long do I not kiss her for, my cold sores can last for 10 days. DH is away for a week poor poppet with no kisses.

Eat a bit of hard cheese, chedder etc, every day. My mum always gets cold sores but since a friend told her to do that she hasn't had any, something to do with the enzymes in it. Is possible your DD may have caught from you and probably the sores will appear and dissapear quicker than on you because of more active immune system but could be something totally different. There's no getting rid of the virus once you have it but generally strengthening your immune system will help, eat well, lots of fruit and veg including plenty of garlic. Also be happy as stress and depression don't help.

I have started using these, they work ok if it's a smallish one. Used them while pg. Also because it's like a plaster it protects from accidental contact. HTH

Thanks will try the cheese - how much do I need to eat? Funnily enough I've eaten more cheese frequently as DD likes it and I rarely had cheese before. Will go off and get some plasters tomorrow.

I wouldn't use the compeed things if the cold sore is already established both me and a friend used them on ours and everytime we changed them it took the scab off it was so sticky this resulted in it lasting longer and actually scarring us both for a good while. The only good thing I can say about them is that when they are on they do take away the pain.

It is also possible for the virus to lead to an eye infection of some sort in newborns. I am not sure at what age this is less of a problem - worth bearing in mind in case you are kissing her on the cheek or anything as a compromise to the lips.

I have also heard that in babies they can initially get coldsores on their tongue rather than lips - so you might want to keep an eye her if you think you may have passed it on.

The only thing that worked for me in the past is taking lysine but meant popping 3 large pills a day - saved it for when I was stressed. Hope I don't pass it on to DD will definitely try the cheese as I normally get a lot of cold sores and I just can't think I won't pass it on. Although convinced my brother has already infected her but I may be paranoid about that.

Ledodgy - Fair point about the compeed patches I only get cold sores in the corners of my mouth and I didn't take them off until they started to come off iyswim, I expect they worked loose as I moved my mouth.