Cold sores in pregnancy

[GetHappy]

15 weeks and just got my 2nd cold sore ...
Any recommendations to keep these at bay?

Also, I can’t find anything to suggest it does but does anyone else know if this will affect my baby

It won't affect baby until baby comes out e.g. if you have one when you give birth you'll have to be meticulous with hygiene.

I'm assuming they are on your face? And you have no genital symptoms? (You can get cold sores on your genitals which are NOT genital herpes).

You are more susceptible to them due to pregnancy reducing your immune system. Do normal "immune boosting' stuff- plenty of water, good diet sleep etc.

Hi OP. I feel your pain!!! I've suffered with cold sores all my life and normally get a handful every year. I got soooooo many when I was pregnant with my first and now I'm 7 weeks with baby number 2 and have already had 3!!
This is what I've read/experienced and I've done quite a lot of research!

• L-Lysine is a food supplement tablet that you can buy in Holland & Barrett that is supposed to boost your body's defense against them. There haven't been any specific tests done about use while pregnant, but since they are natural I think they're okay to take.
• There are certain foods which trigger cold sores. Nuts and chocolate being high up on the list. Also something found in certain toothpastes. You can google the triggers and see what works for you in terms of eliminating/reducing from your diet.
• Vitamin C and zinc will also help you fight them/prevent them.
• There are soooo many different things that people use to treat them... tea tree, ice, over the counter creams, alcohol gel, vinegar, baking soda... just google treatments and see what works for you.

It won't affect your baby. If you get them after your baby is born just be really careful not to pass them on.

Good luck!

If you have one during labour you might need a c section as the virus can be present in all your mucus membranes but I understand that is rare. Having them during pregnancy isn't a problem - in fact some people say it's a good thing for antibodies.

My consultant told me that as I've had one during the pregnancy the baby has built up
Immunity to my strain of the virus so it won't be a danger to them if I have one when baby comes.

Suffered for years - best thing I've found is the patches, prevents spreading, speeds up healing and no nasty scabbing at the end