Thread: My cousin has sores on her face?

Please help us. My cousin is 10, and has what look like cold sores going from her lip, all the way to her eye. They are only on the right side, and her face is swelling a lot. She said she can't feel them, so they're not sore. Or itchy. Are they cold sores? What can help? Ice pack? Hot press? Please help!

Cold sores are small, painful, fluid-filled blisters or sores that appear on the lips, mouth, or nose that are caused by a virus. The sores can be painful and usually last a few days. Unlike most viral infections, the cold sore virus is not completely eliminated by the body defenses. For this reason, cold sores often recur
.Cold sores contain the HSV-1 virus. People with cold sores should wash their hands often, especially after touching the face. Cups and eating utensils should not be shared with another person. A home remedy like cold compresses may relieve pain temporarily. Lysine, an amino acid, was once thought to be a potential treatment, but the facts supporting this are unconvincing. Other home remedies, including vitamin E oil, vitamin supplements, nail polish remover, and changes in diet, have not been well studied
Using topical anesthetics that contain benzocaine (5%-20%), lidocaine (0.5%-4%), tetracaine (2%) or dibucaine (0.25%-1%) will help relieve burning, itching, and pain. Examples are Lipactin gel and Zilactin. It is important to keep in mind that these topical agents have a short duration of action, usually only lasting 20-30 minutes. Skin protectants, such as allantoin, petrolatum, and dimethicone-containing products, help keep the lesion moist and prevent cracking of the lesion. Sunscreen-containing lip balms may also help additional outbreaks if the sun is a precipitating factor. For additional pain relief, using ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be beneficial. Do not apply any topical steroids, such as hydrocortisone, to the lesions.

Docosanol 10% cream (Abreva) is the only over-the-counter product has been shown to decrease healing time when applied at the first sign of recurrence (for example, a tingling sensation). Docosanol is applied five times per day until the lesion is healed. Possible side effects include rash and itching at the site of application.

Prescription-strength topical medications: Treatment with topical acyclovir (Zovirax 5% cream) or penciclovir (Denavir 1% cream) will reduce healing time by approximately half a day and decrease pain associated with the lesion. Topical treatment is limited in its effectiveness because it has poor penetration into the site of replication of the virus and therefore is restricted in its healing ability. Acyclovir cream should be applied five times per day for four days, and penciclovir cream should be applied every two hours while awake for four days.

Prescription-strength pills: The current FDA-approved medications used in the treatment of herpes simplex virus in adults are acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and Famciclovir (Famvir). These oral medications have been shown to decrease the duration of the outbreak, especially when started during the "prodrome" (symptom onset before the actual condition becomes fully evident). The medications are generally well tolerated with few side effects. Headache, nausea, and diarrhea may occur in some people. For simple, recurrent cold sores in adults, valacyclovir is given as 2 grams orally every 12 hours for one day, and famciclovir is given as 1,500 milligrams orally for one dose. Acyclovir is given as 400 mg orally five times per day for five days.

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