Cold sores in pregnancy

[waitinggirl]

hiya - i suffer from really nasty cold sores but only about one every 18 months or so. have now had my second in 3 weeks (hadn't had one for over a year prior to this) and i am coming up to 12 weeks. i understand this may be a reaction to crazy hormones flooding my system, which in a way is reassuring (2 m/c last year).

has anyone else had this? how do you cope/what do you take/any tips? i am not taking any aciclovir as the pharmacist told me not to, and only using those patch things which actually make it look worse (i could go into details, but really it's just gross). by not taking aciclovir, the sores take AGES to clear up, leaving me looking like a freak. it's a small price to pay, i know, but i thought i'd ask.

any advice gratefully received.
thanks
ps - is there a dadsnet? my husband feels left out

[flamingnora]

Hi there

I also suffer from hideous cold sores - commiserations, I know how horrid they can be!

I tried homeopathic remedies (out of desperation, more than anything else!) & have to say I found them effective! I went to the homeopathic pharmacy on Duke Street in Mayfair (London) & they gave me tablets & a cream. Cold sores gone within 5 days & after that, whenever I felt the tingle, I took the tablets & never got a flare up. Might be worth a try?

[missmama]

Hi waitinggirl I am 12 weeks too and have had cold sores almost constantly since just before I found out I was pregnant.
Glad to see their is a positive side to it with the hormones.
I have the blister types and not the snotty scabby types so not so bad cosmeticly (eek sp) for me but still very painful.
I didnt know that about the aciclovir and we have tons of that at our house, luckily it has not even occured to me to use it this time just forgot it was there.

[waitinggirl]

flamingnora - that sounds fab - can you remember what sort of cream/tablets they are? will head on down there next week (luckily i live in London)

missmama - you see, i get the blister ones that then turn into the scabby ones - double fun! the scabs turn black, in fact, so i look incredibly strange. does a lot to help with my self-confidence, what with having put a stone on in weight over the last 6 weeks (eating has been a way to combat both my terror of another m/c and sickness).

thank you both for your help
x

[kd73]

Normally would use zovirax but as unsure with pg, tried Paul Smith perfume and it worked a treat.

[mrsboogie]

I've had two this pg.Before that I hadn't had one in years. I did use a teeny weeny bit of aclovir before 12 weeks and used it properly when i got the second one later on.

[flamingnora]

Hiya
Can't remember what they gave me but they have one remedy which is attractively labelled "herpes"! If you speak to someone there they are usually very helpful & can give you the tablets and cream. Good luck!