Cold sores in children

goodtoknow says: Cold sores are common in children, and first appear in childhood, but often become less frequent as your child gets older. Although annoying, these recurring blistering spots that appear around the mouth and nose, are harmless. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and spread by saliva, from kissing or close contact, not from sharing towels or flannels. The virus can be triggered by illness, sunlight, wind or stress. Your child will get a 'tingling' sensation on the skin around their mouth when they are getting a cold sore. Antiviral cream from your chemist should be applied as soon as possible.

For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of cold sores from patient.co.uk, read on.

Cold sores are common, but outbreaks often become less frequent as a child gets older. Most adults have antibodies to the cold sore virus, suggesting that during childhood we all come into contact with the virus and some of us develop immunity, while others get the sores.

About 1 in 5 people in the UK have recurring cold sores. Antiviral cream may help to reduce the severity of symptoms.

How do cold sores occur?

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. A first cold sore usually occurs in childhood. The virus infects through the moist 'inner' skin that lines the mouth. It is commonly passed on by skin contact such as kisses from a family member who has a cold sore.

After the first infection, the virus settles in a nearby nerve sheath and remains there for the rest of your life. For most of the time, the virus lies dormant (inactive) and causes no symptoms. However, in some people the virus becomes 'active' from time to time. When activated, the virus multiplies and travels down the nerve sheath to cause cold sore blisters around the mouth. Some people have cold sores often, others only now and then. It is not clear what causes the dormant virus to become active. Some things that may 'trigger' the virus to activate and cause a cold sore include:

Illness. Cold sores may occur during feverish illnesses such as colds, coughs, and 'flu.
Menstruation. Cold sores are common around the time of monthly periods.
Stress or just being 'run down' for one of many reasons.
Sunshine. Strong, direct sunlight may trigger cold sores in some people.