Post by NewOrleans on Mar 30, 2020 22:35:27 GMT -5
Anyone dealt with this?
My daughter picked up the virus when she was 4ish. Two years ago (age 7-8) she was getting one almost every month! Her pediatrician was like well, she’ll learn to live with them. Ummm.
She (almost 10 now) had a fever in mid-February and a few days later, had 2 massive cold sores (of course). Since then, a few more have tried to flare and I’ve managed to hit them with Abreva.
She doesn’t notice any itching or tingling beforehand. Anyone have advice here of how their pediatrician handled this?
This is real game changer. Taken right away they are virtually unnoticeable.
ETA my dentist is the one who first prescribed my this when I was a kid. I was so grateful. Now my OB just writes me script to keep on hand to take as needed. I've mostly grown out of them except for when I was pregnant or maybe spend too much time in the sun.
Post by Shreddingbetty on Mar 30, 2020 23:05:58 GMT -5
I love my Valtrex. It doesn’t keep it from breaking out but it is a lot less severe but you have to take it at the first sign/little tingle. If she is getting them That frequently it might be worth doing daily prophylaxis. Looks like for kids they would use acyclovir though. I usually take it daily as I get them a lot. My triggers tend to be not staying hydrated, being in the sun (goes along with the not being well hydrated) and stress. My yearly trip to Europe to visit family I started taking it daily because I never drink enough when I’m there as we travel around a lot and are at other people’s mercy. I have used topical acyclovir in the past and never felt like it did all that much other than taste disgusting and having to put in on several times a day. I also use carmex lip balm (the goopy stuff) every night and more if needed.
Post by DarcyLongfellow on Mar 30, 2020 23:39:48 GMT -5
Another vote for valtrex (valacyclovir). I get cold sores fairly frequently. When I have an active sore, I take 2 pills every 12 hours. When I know I'm likely to get them (stress or illness), I take a 1/2 a pill daily (my pills are 1 gram). My dermatologist told me not to be afraid to take it as needed. Obviously talk to a doctor, but my 10 year old is on the adult dosage for several (allergy) medications, so if she got cold sores, I'd probably be comfortable with her taking an adult dosage if necessary.
Sorry she's dealing with them. They are truly miserable :-(
I didn't know about the medicine mentioned above until I was much older, and it does stop it in its tracks. But I'd think about prevention as well. Is she in the sun a lot? That and a lot of salt seemed to bring it on for me. The salt may have been a coincidence, but I do mean a lot - I used to eat salted bagels and really salty potato chips. The sun I have heard from many being a cause. If so, get the lip balm with SPF 15 in it. I've mostly stopped getting them, but several people told me that taking Lysine daily stopped theirs. I would ask the pediatrician if that's safe for her to take.
Our daughter inherited it from DH. I plan to bring it up at her 7 year appt, but I don't think young kids can get the same oral meds until they're older.
Our daughter inherited it from DH. I plan to bring it up at her 7 year appt, but I don't think young kids can get the same oral meds until they're older.
The Mayo Clinic link I posted above had the dosage for kids. Obviously speak to a doctor but based on age/weight I think it's a possibility.
Post by esdreturns on Mar 31, 2020 10:39:39 GMT -5
Valtrex really does work. Another thing I do is take an un-medicated hydrocolloid patch and stick it on. I change it out as often as needed. I've found this really helps with not touching it, and shortens healing time (for me anyway). This obviously depends on where exactly they pop up, for some reason mine tend to come up right under where my lip meets my skin.
Post by IrishBelle on Mar 31, 2020 10:54:29 GMT -5
I also use Valtrex but have started taking a L-Lysine supplement to prevent them in the first place. DH used it years ago after it was suggested to him by a Naturopath and it helped prevent him. It usually comes in capsules but I've seen it in drops as well.
Post by fivechickens on Mar 31, 2020 11:19:26 GMT -5
DD1 & DD2 get them. DD2 gets them quite frequently (once month depending on the time of year) while DD1 gets them very infrequently. I use a topical treatment and start using it as soon as I notice it. They usually dry up pretty quickly. I have not mentioned it to their Dr mostly because they never have them then and I forget.
Once dental offices are back up and running see if you can find a dentist that uses a laser. They can laser them and in most cases it will shorten the healing time and keep them from coming back in the same spot. It’s best when you get them when they are just starting, when the blisters are goopy and gross. I used to get them from stress and I haven’t had one in years. In the meantime a script for acyclovir ointment can help.
Our daughter inherited it from DH. I plan to bring it up at her 7 year appt, but I don't think young kids can get the same oral meds until they're older.
It’s a virus, not inherited, that I’m aware of.
I used to get them a ton as a kid. They suck:(
No clue, MIL has them, DH has them, and my kid just got her first one this month. I can't imagine where she would have picked it up. DH stays clear of us if he has one pop up.
No clue, MIL has them, DH has them, and my kid just got her first one this month. I can't imagine where she would have picked it up. DH stays clear of us if he has one pop up.
It's the herpes virus and can be shed even without an outbreak. Drinking from the same glass, kisses, etc
No clue, MIL has them, DH has them, and my kid just got her first one this month. I can't imagine where she would have picked it up. DH stays clear of us if he has one pop up.
It's the herpes virus and can be shed even without an outbreak. Drinking from the same glass, kisses, etc
Could be and yet I've had chicken pox and shingles and haven't ever gotten it from DH.
Post by FishChicks on Mar 31, 2020 12:37:53 GMT -5
Is it possible they're canker sores and not cold sores? I had horrendous canker sores as a kid, autoimmune related. My regular doctor told me to live with it. When I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, my doctor gave me a steroid mouthwash to use that is amazing. For one bad flare up, he put me on prednisone and they literally vanished overnight.
When I stopped eating gluten as an adult they went from once or twice a month to once or twice a year.
This probably isn't your child's issue, but I had such a bad experience with this as a kid that I'm really sensitive!
Post by fivechickens on Mar 31, 2020 12:43:06 GMT -5
That is interesting about canker sores. I didn’t know you could do anything about them. I used to get them a lot as a child when I ate a lot of candy (jolly ranchers) or oranges. I don’t get them anymore but DD3 does if she eats/drinks too much citrus.
Our daughter inherited it from DH. I plan to bring it up at her 7 year appt, but I don't think young kids can get the same oral meds until they're older.
It’s a virus, not inherited, that I’m aware of.
I used to get them a ton as a kid. They suck:(
They think there is a genetic link (mutation) that essentially makes you more susceptible. Your fun fact for the day ha!
Is it possible they're canker sores and not cold sores? I had horrendous canker sores as a kid, autoimmune related. My regular doctor told me to live with it. When I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, my doctor gave me a steroid mouthwash to use that is amazing. For one bad flare up, he put me on prednisone and they literally vanished overnight.
When I stopped eating gluten as an adult they went from once or twice a month to once or twice a year.
This probably isn't your child's issue, but I had such a bad experience with this as a kid that I'm really sensitive!
Post by definitelyO on Mar 31, 2020 14:16:44 GMT -5
I used to get them so frequently in middle school through recent adulthood. they are miserable - painful and unsightly. my mom used to get them as well.
I now carry valtrex (valacyclovir) pills with me all the time. once I feel the tingle I take 2 every 4 hours the first day and then usually resolves. I'm not sure if the Rx is recommended for kids or not - but they are HUGE pills. huge. I also have the ointment which I like as well. Carmex and other OTC don't really help me.
Post by puppylove64 on Mar 31, 2020 14:46:15 GMT -5
Ds gets them often. He started getting them around 3-4. He has one pop up anytime he is stressed or getting sick. Pedi said use white toothpaste to dry them up and over the counter Medicines were too strong for children. The toothpaste doesn’t do jack. I buy regular, not extra strength cold sore medicines. He has learned what it feels like when they are Coming and we put medicine on as soon as we can. We also try to make sure he cleans his face good after eating and don’t let spicy or acidic food sit on his face. Pedi also said people usually get them bad at first and they tend to outgrow them and not get them as often.
I absolutely think some people are prone to them. I have never had one and ds is really bad about stealing my drinks. Dh gets them occasionally and I still drink/eat after him or kiss him.
Post by dragon's breath on Mar 31, 2020 20:50:08 GMT -5
There is a real medicine for this?! I'm going to have to talk to my doctor...
I used to get one now and then as a kid, but about 15 years ago, my son accidentally hit me in the face with a door, busting my lip. Now I get them a few times a year, mostly in the same spot as I got hit. I try to head it off with Abreva, but that's hit or miss.
Anyway, thanks everyone, I'm taking notes on the medication and will try to remind myself to ask next time I go for an appointment.
I tagged all of you guys so I can post this, as I didn't see it in the thread. This stuff works damn near instantly and its made it so that future cold sores are just tiny bumps that never even erupt. Its been over a year since I've started using this stuff and I haven't had a single noticeable cold sore since.
Its expensive but its not hard on your kidneys like Valtrex can be and I believe that if you order it directly from their site you can get a rebate for the full price.
Post by nicbreeful on Mar 31, 2020 21:32:14 GMT -5
Seriously, I used to get cold sores all the time and now I rarely do, and when one starts coming on I don't even care anymore because I know that in an hour it's gonna be gone. I carry the little tube with me in my bag. I never even bothered asking my doc to refill another Valtrex prescription because this stuff worked quicker.
Seriously, I used to get cold sores all the time and now I rarely do, and when one starts coming on I don't even care anymore because I know that in an hour it's gonna be gone. I carry the little tube with me in my bag. I never even bothered asking my doc to refill another Valtrex prescription because this stuff worked quicker.
If I get one, I will give this a try. There's something else that comes in a tiny tube that doesn't work AT ALL for me. The only OTC that ever worked was a thing they used to make called Camphor Ice. When I was little the pharmacist by our house used to give my mom spirits of camphor to put on it and it killed it immediately. The stick was made with that. You can't find that at all anymore, so I wonder what the issue was with it!
Seriously, I used to get cold sores all the time and now I rarely do, and when one starts coming on I don't even care anymore because I know that in an hour it's gonna be gone. I carry the little tube with me in my bag. I never even bothered asking my doc to refill another Valtrex prescription because this stuff worked quicker.
Thank you for tagging me! I just added it to my Amazon cart.
Abreva never does anything for me (I might as well just be putting on lotion), so I really hope this stuff works for me!! I just added it to my Amazon cart :-)
I tagged all of you guys so I can post this, as I didn't see it in the thread. This stuff works damn near instantly and its made it so that future cold sores are just tiny bumps that never even erupt. Its been over a year since I've started using this stuff and I haven't had a single noticeable cold sore since.
Its expensive but its not hard on your kidneys like Valtrex can be and I believe that if you order it directly from their site you can get a rebate for the full price.