4 y old has cold sore

[Moonchild77]

First time ever, a big cold sore (IMO), herpes simplex, on his upper lip, left side.
I saw it this morning, it grew during the day, I had nursed him in bed, before I saw the sore later on... and he seems okay, I used zincointment, with calendula, Weleda, and BM, I did let him nurse left breast when he went to bed just now, I washed my nipple and breast after that with water, soap and Teatree oil..

What to do???

Anyone know, what I can use, if he may drink??? I tandem feed him and his 18 mo old brother, who does not seem to have it (yet???)

[sahmmie]

Yikes. I'd be worried about the younger sibling. The first outbreak of herpes in an infant and toddler can be brutal. Two of my kids had an outbreak at a young age (I think they were 18 months, and the other less than a year). It was horrible because for some reason the initial outbreak in a small child can cause multiple sores both inside and outside the mouth. The gums bleed and the pain is horribe. I'd only nurse each boy on one breast until the sore is gone.

I always use Herpecin-L on my cold sores and for my dd's. I find it works better than anything else I've tried, even the prescription stuff.

I hope the little guy doesn't get it.

[CoBabyMaker]

Funny but I've found the best thing for cold sores is...Breastmilk! You try just putting it on the sore. I would still clean the area before your other little one nurses (and maybe rub some milk on it.)

[mambera]

Hm, I agree with the advice for one-boob-per-child until this clears up. Perhaps an alcohol swab to the nipple after the 4 y/o nurses as well, just in case.

[Theia]

You may also find some of this info helpful. Cold sores can be "somewhat" managed through diet. Certain foods make outbreaks more or less likely. I'm not sure if the amino acids in question are passed through breast milk, but if so then you may want to adjust your diet during outbreaks.

http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/diet...ith_herpes.htm