Cold sores can appear in children and are caused by the herpes simplex virus. KidsHealth suggests the cold sores may also be called fever blisters even though a fever doesn't have to exist for the blister to appear. Cold sores go away on their own, but some treatment methods can improve a child's discomfort and may even speed the healing time. Children should not be given any cold sore treatment without the approval of a medical care provider.
Step 1
Give a child ibuprofen or acetaminophen according to the dosing schedule on the bottle or under the advice of a medical professional. The skin can be painful before and while a blister exists on the mouth tissues. KidsHealth points out that not all cold sores are painful.
Step 2
Place a cold washcloth, ice pack or a popsicle on the affected area. The coldness can help numb the cold sore if it is painful. Parenting and Child Health recommends doing this at the first signs of a cold sore, such as itching or tingling, for 5 minutes every half hour for several hours. This may cause smaller sores to appear or prevent the sore entirely.
Step 3
Apply a small amount of witch hazel to a cotton ball and dab the cold sore. Witch hazel is a natural astringent that can help dry a cold sore. This may shorten the healing time of the sore and it can reduce itching. This method can be repeated several times a day until the sores heal. Once the blisters rupture and ooze, the witch hazel can help dry the scabs and keep the area clean.
Tips and Warnings
- Urge a child to avoid touching the cold sore and the surrounding tissues. The fluids from the cold sore can spread the virus to other individuals and touching can introduce dirt to the wound. Picking can cause scarring and infection and should be avoided. Use a topical over-the-counter pain reliever for moderately painful cold sores. Look for products containing camphor, a more natural pain reliever that can also speed healing time. Many camphor gels or liquids contain other ingredients, like eucalyptus, which helps calm inflammation and itching.
Things You'll Need
- Children's ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- Wash cloth
- Ice or popsicle
- Witch hazel
- Cotton ball
