how do i tell if my child has Herpes on her lip? help - Herpes Message Board

TrippingAsIGo · 03-23-2004, 03:13 PM

what should i look for - i'm trying to determine if one of my daughters (toddlers) have a herpes sore on their lip. would there be one spot? would it look like a blister? would it look more white? or like a pimple? or would there be a lot clustered? would i be able to tell more by how it feels to them like would it hurt them?
please help me figure it out
thanks

movingrightalong · 03-23-2004, 03:41 PM

If you do a web search, you can find some pictures of herpes. Keep in mind, though, that these usually show the worst extremes of the virus. Lots of people with herpes have never had anything close to the pictures. As far as on the lip, I think that usually there will one or more blisters, and they go through some stages, ultimately crusting and scabbing and then dissappearing and leaving no trace. The main thing about herpes is that it will usually continue to occur intermitantly in the same spot. Also, it definitely may hurt a bit. I've never had a coldsore, but someone else may be able to pipe in with more details on appearance and pain, etc.
if you can, go to a doctor and have it swabbed. It could also be Impetigo. It can look almost identical to Herpes, but it's bacterial and is treated differently.

ab123 · 03-24-2004, 01:33 PM

Hi! I just thought I'd share since I actually have one on my lip now. I only get the ones on my lip, no where else.

It starts out a little hard, and slightly darker than the rest of my lip. Looking closely, it it anywhere from one tiny blister to a cluster of 4-5 tiny blisters. They basically then combine to one big one. A crust or scab forms over it. I use Abreva at the first sign of one. With the Abreva, it turns the scab a light color. Underneath the scab there's pus. At this point they are quite painful. Actually more annoying than anything. It's hard to take big bites of food. Hurts to laugh sometimes. Once the scab starts to fall off, it is still a little painful, but very sensitive underneath.

Movingrightalong is right. They always come in the same exact spot!! And when they are gone, there is no trace.

Do not share!! No kissing on the lips! You don't want to spread this, trust me. They are not fun!

Amy