Fever blisters, also called cold sores, are from the herpes simplex virus. Fever blisters are tiny, clear, fluid-filled blisters. People typically get fever blisters on the face, but they can occur in the genital area, too. Fever blisters can be annoying because they can reappear sporadically. Not only are they unsightly, they can be painful. Most people get cold sores of the face during infancy or childhood, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
No Cure
You cannot cure fever blisters in your child, but the condition usually clears up on its own, according to the EMedTV website. Fever blisters can last from seven-to-10 days. If your child gets frequent fever blisters, you may want to take her to a doctor. Healthcare providers can prescribe several different medications called antivirals.
Medications for Symptoms
If you intend to use medication, you should use it on your child at the first sign of the fever blister. Symptoms that may indicate the onset of a fever blister are tingling, burning, itching or redness, according to EMedTV. While many prescription creams and ointments are available to treat fever blisters, only two–acyclovir cream and penciclovir cream–are approved for use in children who are 12-years-old or older. Some medications are available over-the-counter, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration only approves one–Abreva. Ask your doctor if you can use Abreva on your child. This medication is not recommended for children younger than 12.
Other Symptom Relief
Cool compresses, applied to the sores for a few minutes several times a day, can help. Ice packs can help, too. For pain, ask your doctor if you can give your child a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Take Precautions
You should take certain precautions when your child gets a fever blister, according to the Federal Citizen Information Center of Pueblo, Colo. Keep the fever blister clean and dry to prevent it from becoming infected. Serve your child a soft, bland diet to avoid irritating the sores. Tell your child not to touch the sores because he could spread the virus to new sites if he does, such as his eyes or genitals. Have your child wash his hands if he does touch the sore. Make sure that no other family members share a toothbrush, towel or napkin with an infected person.
Sunlight Protection
If sunlight is a trigger for your child getting fever blisters, you can apply sunscreen to the lips to prevent an occurrence. Apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 before going outside, and reapply if your child is going to be out in the sun for a long period.
Home Remedies
You may want to apply a tea bag to the blister for a few minutes, repeating every hour, according to the Home Remedies website. You may also apply witch hazel to the sores for some relief. Lemon balm extract can reduce symptoms and may speed up healing.
Photo Credit
- excited child image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
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