What to do if the baby has blisters on the lips

Sometimes your baby may develop blisters on their lips. It can be caused by simple things like learning to breastfeed, or it can be a sign of an infection. There are things you can do to make sure your baby is comfortable and doing well.

Causes of blisters on your baby's lip

A blister is a raised bump on the skin filled with fluid. The skin is sensitive and can hurt when pressed or opened, which can make your baby fussy.

Babies may develop blisters inside their lips while breastfeeding. The suction action can cause calluses on the skin. Sometimes babies are born with these blisters if they sucked their fingers in the womb.
Herpes causes blisters on the lips. Herpes, sometimes called cold sores, can appear on your baby's lip and is caused by the herpes simplex virus 1. If you have an active sore, you should cover it and avoid kissing your baby, as you may infect him with the virus. Herpes infection can be very dangerous for newborns.
Blisters can sometimes be an allergic reaction. Your baby may be allergic to ingredients in lotions, creams, or lip balms that are used on or near the lips. If your baby develops blisters after food is introduced, they may have a food allergy.
Impetigo is an infection caused by Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria that causes blisters to form on the lips and around the mouth. They can burst and release liquid, then a crust forms on top. They may also look like large, clear, fluid-filled blisters that do not burst.
Thrush in the mouth causes white blisters on your baby's lips. White spots are also found inside the mouth on the tongue, cheeks and palate. They look like cottage cheese or milk and can be painful to suck or swallow. This is caused by overgrowth of yeast.

Signs of blisters on the lips of a baby

A blister is a raised bump on the skin filled with a clear fluid. It can break and leak, and the skin can hurt. This can cause your baby to have trouble eating or growl because he is in pain.

If the blisters are caused by learning to breastfeed or suckle, there may be no other symptoms.

If your baby's blisters are caused by an infection, they may have other symptoms as well. This includes:

Fever
Pain
Tiredness
Smelly fluid leaking from the blister
White patches or white blister
Crusted skin
Swelling
Soreness
Blisters that spread

Treatment for blisters on your baby's lips

Treatment for blisters in your baby depends on the cause. Nursing or sucking blisters will go away on their own and do not require treatment.

You should continue to feed your baby as usual and talk to a lactation consultant who can help you achieve a good latch. Once your baby gets used to suckling, the blisters will disappear. Sometimes this can take several months.

Once your baby becomes infected with the virus, herpes blisters will come and go as they grow. There is no cure for herpes. You can help your baby by protecting their skin with lotion, sunscreen, and lip balm before going outside. Certain treatments can help your baby feel better while they have active herpes.

This includes:

A cool or warm washcloth to help with pain
Regular feedings to stay hydrated
Avoiding acidic foods like citrus fruits and tomatoes if your baby is eating foods
Pain relievers
Over-the-counter cold sore lip balms or creams for kids

If your baby has impetigo, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic cream to treat the infection. If the infection is also present around the mouth, the doctor may suggest using a bandage to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Thrush can be treated with an antifungal medicine applied to the baby's tongue and lips. If you are breastfeeding and have red nipples, you may also have thrush. You can pass the infection between you and your baby, so you will need to apply the medicine to the nipples as well. If your baby is old enough, you can also give him probiotic yogurt. You may need to sterilize pacifiers, teethers, and bottles.

In general, if your baby has blisters on their lips, be sure to: