We are often afraid that a simple problem can transpire into something big. This is why we often ask if we will develop genital herpes after we get contacted with cold sores.

Before anything else, let us start with the basic. What are cold sores? Well, cold sores are characterized by small red blisters that appear on the lips and the edges of the mouth. They often come with clear liquid and scabs appear after a few days.

Can you get genital herpes after?

Cold sores are often caused by herpes-1 virus, while genital herpes is due to herpes-2 virus.  Herpes-1 virus is milder. It can lay dormant in the body for years although it can become active again once triggered. So cold sore won’t lead to genital herpes. However anyone who is suffering from herpes-1 can become probable to genital herpes through oral sex and skin contact. If in case you think you have the herpes-2 virus, get treated right ahead.

You must understand that there is no cure to cold sores. Your own initiative to protect yourself from this affliction will become your only defense. Cold sores are generally felt by people with compromised immune system. People who suffer from cancer, infection, and other illnesses have twice the chance of developing these sores.

To speed up recovery process, it is advised that you pop the cold sore early on. This will help drain the liquid inside it to promote faster healing. Remember as well that prevention is very important! Herpes simplex is very much contagious. Do not share eating utensils with others. Avoid kissing someone who is infected with the virus. Take vitamin C for 3 times a day. You can apply vitamin E on the cold sores as well. Eat yogurt to relieve pain. Indeed, there is so much you can do to deal with cold sores.

Mouth ulcer happens to all ages, including children. Now once your child suffers from this condition, he might start to throw tantrums. After all, the pain that the sore brings is beyond bearable. In order to better understand why children suffer from mouth ulcer, we are going to discuss few of the common reasons behind this medical condition.

What is causing your child to suffer?

1. Herpes Gingivostomatitis- This is a serious infection resulting from herpes virus. Aside from small and painful ulcer, this is characterized by high fever and extreme irritability among children.

2. Hand, foot and mouth disease- This is characterized by small red ulcers. It is a viral illness caused by Coxsackie virus. This is a condition when children usually experience small and red ulcers in their mouths, feet, and hands.

3. Herpangina- A condition similar to hand, foot and mouth disease, the only difference is that it appears on your child’s mouth. The virus present here is called Coxsackie virus.

4. Geographic tongue- This one looks like a large ulcer and is characterized by areas that are red and pink. Fortunately, this is not painful therefore no treatment is necessary. The condition will just go away after 2 days or more.

5. Oral ulcer- Trauma can cause oral ulcer, especially among patients who underwent radiation or chemotherapy treatments. Certain drugs—particularly Stevens Johnson syndrome—can also lead to mouth ulcer. Build immune system to lessen the chances of this affliction.

Understanding these 5 main causes of mouth ulcer among children is vital. Since some of the above causes are serious conditions that need medical intervention, it is a must that you take concern over your child’s health. Act at the first sign of the problem. Do not wait for things to aggravate. Do not allow children to suffer from this troublesome affliction long.

In fact, some doctors say as many as 1 in 5 children will contract Herpes Simplex 1, HSV-1, the virus that causes cold sores.

Luckily, treating cold sores and preventing lip blisters isn’t much different in children than it is in adults.

How to Recognize Cold Sores

Cold sores, unlike other mouth sores, are usually small, red bumps that appear primarily as sores on lips. They can appear inside the mouth, but that is rare. Cold sores can also creep up into the nose and they can cause a lot of pain no matter where they show up.

These fever blisters can last 1-2 weeks, often erupting a few days after a child feels a tingling in their lips. Once the sore grows, it will eventually burst and leak a white fluid. The exposed lip sore will then crust over and last as many as 10 days.

After healing, sores on lips will leave a red mark on the child’s face for as long as a month in some cases.

What Problems Cause Cold Sores in Children?

Just like adults, kids can get HSV-1 from the following:

• Sickness
• Overexposure to Sunlight
• Stress
• Chapped Lips
• Sharing Food or Drink with a Kid Who Has Cold Sores

Read more about what problems cause cold sores.

Fever Blister Treatment for Kids

There is no cure for cold sores, but you can take steps to help heal lip sores more quickly.

Here’s how to take action:

• Make sure the child is getting a balanced diet. Doctors have linked improper diets to contributing to trigger factors in cold sores.
• Give the child foods high in Lysine, a compound known for quickening the lifespan of a lip sore. Foods high in lysine include Chicken, Beans and Fish.
• Apply moisturizer to the cold sore
• Cover sores on lips with a balm
• Acetominophen and Ibuprofen can be given to some children to help ease the pain caused by lip blisters.

Get more cold sore remedies.

Prevent Cold Sores

Cold sores can’t be completely prevented, but kids can reduce the likelihood of a cold sore outbreak.

A simple step would be to make sure child washes his or her hands and face regularly, especially when they are around a child who currently has cold sores.

Get more methods to prevent cold sores.

They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  That’s certainly true with reducing mouth herpes breakouts. Avoiding factors like stress and ultraviolet light goes a long way towards preventing a breakout. There are also viral suppression medications that can be taken daily for people who suffer from frequent (6 or more times per year) breakouts.

Best Mouth Sores Killer #2 – Oral Medications

Valtrex (generic name Valacyclovir) is an oral medication which has been shown to reduce pain and shorten healing time. It has only been shown to be effective if used before the appearance of a cold sore. On it works by stopping or slowing the reproduction of the virus.

Best Mouth Sores Killer #3 – Topical Medications

Zovirax (generic name Acyclovir) is an FDA approved cream which has (like Valtrex) been shown to shorten healing time. Sometimes you can’t (or don’t want to) go to a doctor and are stuck with what’s available over the counter. Abreva is a topical cream that is available over the counter for treating cold sores.  For treating the symptoms alone (for reducing pain and itching), we recommend Carmex gel.

There are also natural treatments available for cold sores.  We recommend the Cold Sore Freedom in 3 Days system if you are interested in a natural solution.

There are some foods you can eat to help yourself and get rid of herpes sores so you can quit obsessing about it!

Diet is really important when it comes to herpes sores care.  What you eat has a major effect on the healing of your herpes sores.  You want to eat foods rich in Lysine.   Eat food with a lot of protein, like: Chicken, fish, red meat, cheese, yogurt, lentils

There are also foods that you should refrain from eating if you are cold sore prone. If you have a diet that contains a lot of arginine (this protein takes up the space Lysine needs) then that means you don’t have enough lysine to fight the virus.   Stay away from foods, like: grains (wheats, oats, etc), nuts (walnuts, almonds, peanuts), chocolate, shellfish

Watching your diet and food intake is a natural way to approach the prevention of herpes and as well as a natural way to deal with herpes sores when you get them.

I know herpes sores can be embarrassing and painful but you want to try to think as positively as you can to avoid getting down on yourself.  It is important to remain optimistic because this will keep you feeling healthier and the more positive thinking you do the better you will feel.

It is known that herpes sores can come on when your body becomes tired and weak.  Remaining optimistic will help you to stay confident so you can take proper care of yourself.