Aa
Chances of Cold Sores In Nostrils?
Hello, and thank you for your time.
My question is regarding my child and the possibility they might have cold sores in their nostrils. We were at a family member's home 4 weeks ago. A family member had a red bump above their lip but I couldn't tell if it was a cold sore, a healing cold sore, or not a cold sore - they have a history of cold sores. What are the chances my child could have given themselves cold sores in their nostrils if the family member did have an outbreak? I noticed my child had yellow crusty scabs in the nostrils about 3 days ago. Unfortunately my child just pointed it out to me then so I didn't see it before the crusty scab phase. It looks better now with only smaller scabs on the sides and more flat to the walls of the nostril. I did take them to a doctor but the doctor said she didn't see any infection and it just looked life dryness but I wasn't 100% happy with the attention to the issue as we were the last appointment of the day and she seemed like she just wanted out of there, and was more concerned that my child may have stuck a foreign object up the nose.
So, long story short, if it was an active infection with the family member, what is the likelihood of my child getting the virus under their nails (if they touched the same objects as the family member) and then spread it to their nose, especially considering my child is a nose picker? There are no sores on the lips or anywhere else, just these yellow scabs in the nose.
I didn't think this would be extremely likely especially since nothing was on the lips, but I know that h is tricky. I sanitized my child's hands when we left and they were scrubbed in a bath after we arrived home. I'm pretty paranoid about it and have huge anxiety over this for my kids as I get cold sores and am so careful because I don't want them to suffer if they don't have to. Anyway, thank you for reading, I appreciate your time and effort to this.
My question is regarding my child and the possibility they might have cold sores in their nostrils. We were at a family member's home 4 weeks ago. A family member had a red bump above their lip but I couldn't tell if it was a cold sore, a healing cold sore, or not a cold sore - they have a history of cold sores. What are the chances my child could have given themselves cold sores in their nostrils if the family member did have an outbreak? I noticed my child had yellow crusty scabs in the nostrils about 3 days ago. Unfortunately my child just pointed it out to me then so I didn't see it before the crusty scab phase. It looks better now with only smaller scabs on the sides and more flat to the walls of the nostril. I did take them to a doctor but the doctor said she didn't see any infection and it just looked life dryness but I wasn't 100% happy with the attention to the issue as we were the last appointment of the day and she seemed like she just wanted out of there, and was more concerned that my child may have stuck a foreign object up the nose.
So, long story short, if it was an active infection with the family member, what is the likelihood of my child getting the virus under their nails (if they touched the same objects as the family member) and then spread it to their nose, especially considering my child is a nose picker? There are no sores on the lips or anywhere else, just these yellow scabs in the nose.
I didn't think this would be extremely likely especially since nothing was on the lips, but I know that h is tricky. I sanitized my child's hands when we left and they were scrubbed in a bath after we arrived home. I'm pretty paranoid about it and have huge anxiety over this for my kids as I get cold sores and am so careful because I don't want them to suffer if they don't have to. Anyway, thank you for reading, I appreciate your time and effort to this.
COMMUNITY LEADER
It's possible - there's no way of knowing for sure. Even assuming it was a cold sore, your child has probably been exposed to hsv1 before.
However, you sanitizing your kids and then scrubbing is concerning. That will do nothing to prevent infection, and there is no reason to scrub a child's full body for a possible oral herpes exposure.
I understand that no one wants their kids to get any infections, but your anxiety over this is disproportionate to the risk, and the possible consequences.
Herpes is spread by direct skin to skin contact - for oral herpes, it's kissing. Younger kids can get it by sharing toys they put in their mouths, but their immune systems are weaker, and they often have breaks in their gums with teething.
How do you handle it when you get an outbreak? I'm sorry this is so hard for you.
However, you sanitizing your kids and then scrubbing is concerning. That will do nothing to prevent infection, and there is no reason to scrub a child's full body for a possible oral herpes exposure.
I understand that no one wants their kids to get any infections, but your anxiety over this is disproportionate to the risk, and the possible consequences.
Herpes is spread by direct skin to skin contact - for oral herpes, it's kissing. Younger kids can get it by sharing toys they put in their mouths, but their immune systems are weaker, and they often have breaks in their gums with teething.
How do you handle it when you get an outbreak? I'm sorry this is so hard for you.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
