Depending on the severity of the outbreak of cold sore, your doctor may recommend a variety of different treatments for cold sores. The exact treatment will be determined by the child’s age, general health, and individual medical history. Also the extent of the outbreak and your child’s willingness to cooperate and follow directions. Some people are easier to treat than others and the type of cold sore you have can make treating it a challenge.

If your child is a very young child, common recommendations for treatment are as follows: Sun Exposure. This will not prevent the reappearance of sores, but sun exposure will reduce the duration and severity of an outbreak. If there is a flare-up, limit sun exposure. This treatment for cold sores can be dangerous if the child is already prone to skin infections and other issues if they are exposed to excessive sunlight.

If your child does have fever, or any other symptoms for that matter, do not share this information with anyone else. These symptoms, especially if combined with sun exposure, can lead to more severe conditions. Also it is important to remember that most people experience cold sores only briefly and symptoms will go away once the outbreak has stopped. If the sores return, for example, during an acute outbreak, then the combination of fever and the appearance of new sores can signal an underlying viral infection. Treating it can worsen the condition.

Most often, during an outbreak, the first noticeable symptom is a red rash that appears to be spreading across the face and neck. Blisters begin to develop, usually at the corner of the mouth, near the nose, on the chin, and occasionally on the chest. Blisters last anywhere from two to eight weeks, although they may be longer. During this time the blisters are extremely itchy and discomforting, as well as painful when touched or squeezed.

Cold sores are not contagious, but many people still find them disturbing. Fortunately, there are several effective treatments for cold sore treatment. One of these treatments is simple over the counter creams, lotions, or ointments that contain docosanol, which is an anti-viral ingredient. This ingredient also helps to reduce the duration of the outbreak by suppressing the overproduction of the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Other medications used to treat cold sore outbreaks include acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), or valacyclovir (Valtrex). Some prescription medications may also be used to treat cold sores, although these medications generally reduce the number of outbreaks experienced instead of treating the source of the problem.

Cold sores can be very uncomfortable and embarrassing, and can cause social or professional awkwardness due to their appearance. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat cold sore outbreaks, whether you choose to use a prescription drug or not. Although they are contagious, treatment is often simple and inexpensive. Because treatment is so simple, it is recommended that anyone who has experienced a outbreak consult a doctor if they have not had success with over the counter remedies or prescription drugs.