Teach Your Kids How To Avoid Catching Cold Sores
The best way to prevent your children from getting cold sores
(or fever blisters) is to minimize any close personal contact
with a person who has one.
First, begin by teaching your child at an early age not to kiss
others on the mouth and not to eat or drink after others. If
your child is old enough to use lip balms, tell them not to ever
use someone else's lip balm.
Second, begin to teach them what a cold sore is by showing them
one. If it's on a passer by, you will naturally want to be
discrete. If you or a family member have one, it will be easier
to talk about if the child has questions. You can simply tell
your child that's what a cold sore looks like. They are
contagious so you should never drink after someone or kiss
anyone who has one. And if you have one, it is easier to get
another one, so just don't drink or eat after anyone or use
anyone else's lip balm. The kissing talk can probably come
later. The herpes simplex one virus is not the same virus that
causes genital herpes. Herpes simplex two is associated with
genital herpes. It is important, however, to let adolescents
know that you can have a genital outbreak of herpes simplex one
if that area comes in contact with an affected person, and vice
versa.
Third, if your child is old enough, explain that the germ that
causes cold sores is called herpes simplex one. It lives in
saliva, or spit. So try not to get coughed or sneezed upon by
someone who has a cold sore.
It's important to remember that almost 90 percent of people over
age 30 have tested positive for exposure to the herpes simplex
one virus at some time in their lives. Having a cold sore may be
painful and unsightly, but it is not the end of the world.
Explaining that to a child who has one - especially a teenager -
may not be so easy.
If your child does get a cold sore, talk with your pharmacist
about age appropriate treatment to relieve the pain and diminish
the sore itself. It will help the child to decrease the intake
of salty foods or acidic fruits and juices, like orange juice,
during the time he or she has the cold sore. As with any sore,
salt and acid tend to burn the sore. There are a number of home
remedies for cold sores. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to
see if they are appropriate for your child. Some herbal remedies
contain elements that might prove to be toxins if served in the
wrong amount to children.
Remind your child that the cold sore will probably go away on
its own in two or three days. Like any virus, they just have to
work their way out of our system. Help your child diminish the
symptoms or appearance of the sore the best you can.