Anyone who has ever had the misfortune of suffering from a cold sore will be familiar with just how frustrating they can be and to treat. That frustration can be tenfold when we are talking about a child. Cold sores are a very common ailment, with the World Health Organisation estimating that two-thirds of people under 50 are infected with the virus responsible. that can usually be forgotten about in a short time, but when they are at their most aggressive, they can have a negative impact on a child’s everyday happiness and contentment. With all of that in mind, here are some of the best and most successful tips for your child’s cold sore treatment and easing their discomfort.
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Temperature Change
When it comes to doing something that can immediately ease the pain or discomfort that your child is feeling, there isn’t much better than a classic temperature change. Interestingly, it doesn’t actually matter what direction you decide to take for the temperature change, and this means that you can opt for applying ice to the cold sore area, or a warm to hot towel. These different ends of the spectrum will both achieve the same desired result – an easing of the pain that your child was feeling from the cold sore at room temperature.
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Avoid Acidic Foods
To help your child get through their cold sore treatment period with as little discomfort as possible, it is best to avoid giving them overly acidic foods. This means foods such as citrus fruits, pickles, fruit juices, and even tomato sauce. The high levels of acidity in these items will interact with the exposed cold sore area and start to cause unnecessary irritation. It is worth noting that this tip relates to the period when a cold sore is present. It doesn’t mean that your child can never enjoy citrus fruits and other acidic options. You should also avoid foods that leave salt or sugar around the lips, such as doughnuts and crisps.
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Over The Counter Medications
Don’t be afraid to administer correct levels of over the counter medications to your child, especially if they are complaining of pain and discomfort. Things like ibuprofen are useful to reduce the swelling around the area of the cold sore, and of course, there are several kinds of dedicated creams that can be applied directly on to the area for some immediate relief. If you have any reservations at all about giving your child pain killers, then a conversation with your local pharmacy can help to put your mind at ease.
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Be Vigilant Regarding Their Hands
One of the worst things a child can do to worsen their cold sore agony is scratch and pick at the affected area. As much as you can, try to monitor what they are doing with their hands so that you can pick up on it when they are tempted to itch and scratch. In addition to this, make sure that you encourage them to wash their hands regularly to prevent the transferring of bacteria from their cold sore onto communal items like toys, cutlery, etc.
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Avoid Triggers
From a preventative point of view, there are certainly a few things that can be done to avoid the onset of cold sores to begin with. For the most part, these are common-sense guidelines that include things like making sure your child has a regular, healthy routine when it comes to sleep, exercise, and a well-balanced diet. Stress can also be a defining factor in cold sore outbreaks, so getting to the bottom of any anxieties that your child might be experiencing can sometimes be a good way of reducing their risk of another outbreak.
