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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

colds and cold sore while pregnant- help please

36 replies

tab · 05/12/2004 12:15

Pregnant - 15 weeks and all going fine. But Ive been struck down for 8 days with a chesty cough, blocked/runny nose, sore throat, headache, no smell/taste, which just doesnt want to budge. I have found myself taking some paracetamols in desperation as ds1 (2) has also come down with similar and has been out of sorts. (he's ok with calpol and amoxicylin). However, now Ive got a cold sore too. Of course pharmacist wont give me anything and says go to doctor. Perhaps I should but Im loathe to go to doc for a cold sore. I dont think he's going to be able to prescribe anything if the pharmacist couldnt think of anything. Ive tried looking on the internet and some site mentioned cream with lemon balm in it but I dont have any names. Licqorice tea is meant to be good - but then I noticed it has a pregnancy warning on it (y0u know what I mean!).

Help!!!! Im feeling very sorry for myself !
Has anybody had coldsore while pregnant, please tell me if you found some remedy.

OP posts:
Caribbeanqueen · 05/12/2004 13:37

Hi tab, I had a couple of cold sores while preganant and while brestfeeding. The first time I used Zovirax without even thinking, when I was pregnant. when breastfeeding, I didn't use anything at all and found that they went away reasonable quickly (about a week start to finish). I think there is an essential oil you can use on them - it might be tea tree but you can check which one and whether it's suitable.

Everything has a pregnancy warning, they have to put them on I think. Good luck.

LadyPenelope · 05/12/2004 14:29

My doctor prescribed zovirax cream and said I could use it while pregnant. If I was you, would still go to doctor so that you get best advice relevant to you and your pregancy.

NotQuiteCockney · 05/12/2004 15:54

I used Zovirax during pregnancy, on my midwife's advice. I don't think you'd want to be using gallons, but as you only use the tiniest bit, I was willing to do it. I really hate cold sores.

berolina · 05/12/2004 16:35

Hi there tab.
No advice I'm afraid, but just wanted to say (sorry if you know this already) be careful to wash your hands after touching your cold sore/before going to the loo, as it's just about possible to catch genital herpes that way and this can be harmful to the baby in pg.

Original poster
tab · 05/12/2004 21:49

Thanks everybody. Yes, berolina, Im washing my hands all the time, cos of the cold sore and the fact that Im blowing my nose all the time - thanks for the advice though. I cant remember the last time I had a cold sore and Im sure its jst cos my immune system is running at its lowest. Im very tempted to just buy some Zovirax since two of you are endorsing it. i know the cold sore is going to turn into the really nasty ugly phase soon!! I took ds1 to the doctor earlier in the week. I dont think I can stand the wait and the lack of interest again!!

OP posts:
Tipex · 05/12/2004 22:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tingley2 · 27/05/2009 21:08

im seven weeks pregnant and have woken up with a cold sore this morning, the first one in about two years! I have put a small bit of zovirax on it three times today, its only just occured to me at 8pm!!! that this might be harmful for the baby, (very careless i know). I do feel a bit better from reading those two messages that say zovirax is ok even though the official website say's to avoid during pregnancy! (i know they have to be carefull). anyway if anyone else wants to reassure me please feel free as im probably going to worry for the next nine months!!
thanks

NationalFlight · 27/05/2009 21:11

Just remember to be extremely careful kissing baby when he'she is very small. It's very rare but babies have died from the cold sore virus, there are people on here who know more, I just wanted to pass it on so you can find out how to minimise risk x

pavlovthecat · 27/05/2009 21:15

I use tea tree for cold sores, nab on, and it dries it out quite quickly and the sores disappear much quicker than with designated cold sore cremes.

mrsboogie · 27/05/2009 21:15

I don't think there is a risk to the baby if mum has the virus while baby is in utero . It is only if mum has never had a cold sore and gets one after giving birth that there is a risk as the baby will have no inherited antibodies to fight the virus.

I stand to be corrected though.

Oh and I used Zovirax in pregnancy - first time unthinkingly then used it sparingly a couple of times after that.

NationalFlight · 27/05/2009 21:24

Ah you might be right, I just recalled that case late last year, sorry if I am scaring unnecessarily

Musukebba · 27/05/2009 22:34

Yes if you've had a cold sore before then the baby will get antibodies transferred during the last trimester that will protect it for a few months after being born.

Acyclovir (aka Zovirax) is officially not recommended in pregnancy but in practice used from time-to-time at high dose for individual cases of maternal chickenpox; because of the risk of pneumonitis in the mum.

I agree with the others though that with the Zovirax cream, there will be hardly any significant amount absorbed from the skin. I think you have nothing to worry about. :-)

PerfectPrefect · 27/05/2009 22:42

Just to clarify on teh risks.

It is the FIRST exposure to coldsore virus which is a problem. If the mothers first exposure is when she is pregnant that can be a problem - and was the problem in the recent headline case - which I think was in the last trimester. Not sure about earlier.

If a mother has a flare up of a dormant problem this is not a problem for mother or baby at any stage during pregnancy (or even afterwards).

If/when baby gets first exposure after birth - which may be transferred from mother or any other problem it can be a problem. The primary (first) herpes infection is a systemic infection - there can be a huge immune infection including v high fever (often 39+). Hugely swollen lymph nodes - which can cause abdo pain. Many ulcers and sores in and around the mouth. This can lead to a child under 1 being hospitalised (my DD3 was almost hospitalised at 7m). It can be fatal for a newborn.

HTH

Oh and I wouldn't bother with zovirax unless you first administer within 24-48hrs of tingle or it won't be effective anyway.

staylucky · 28/05/2009 01:56

Lo, sympathies just got over that self and same cold virus thingy and it sucks, hugs to you.

I went to the docs as on day 6 of the cold thingy I woke up to find a huge cluster of coldsores around my nose (constant blowing ect ect)I always get these when run down but doc said felt could be a bacterial infection this time and gave me low dose antibiotics which cleared everything up (achy head, body,throat, swollen glands, strange face sores the lot)

He did say while I was there though that there is no real risk with zovirax just usual not fully tested garb....

nc1706 · 10/12/2013 10:34

Hi there,

Been a while since this thread was active but I think I am experiencing my first cold sore ever at 4.5 weeks pg. PerfectPrefect you mentioned this is potentially a problem? I have a doctor's appointment in 3 days' time but I am wondering should I try to see them sooner?

Many thanks.

EmB1715 · 10/12/2013 10:40

I've had a fair few coldsore suring this pg. I use zovirax sparingly but also swear by dabbing salt on them. It really helps dry them up. I have one at the moment and I'm 40+5 so really hoping it goes before baby arrives :(

dotdot00 · 24/03/2014 14:22

I'm 11 weeks pregnant and used Zovirax for the first day of a cold sore then I realised it might not be so good. So I switched to natural remedies - a mix of homeopathy and cider vinegar. It seems to be calming down. I think what's more important is to look at what's causing it - we probably all need some rest and an immunity boost.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 24/03/2014 14:26

Zovirax is fine during pregnancy.

OP - I also use those Compeed patches, mainly so that I'm not touching it accidentally and nor are the children. They do seem to make some cold sores disappear very quickly, others not so much but it gets around the touching issues.

Helensevendays · 14/09/2015 16:20

healacoldsore.com/
This site lists loads of natural remedies that you could hopefully use while pregnant, although I'm sure you'd still have to ask your GP if unsure as you're meant to check even herbal stuff with your doctor when pregnant.

pickledparsnip · 14/09/2015 16:28

L-lysine is natural and the only thing that works for me. You can buy the ointment and just pop it straight on, or take tablets.

Stldivarider · 06/11/2015 07:23

It may sound gross, but I was told years ago as a child when I get cold sores apply ear wax to them. I did and it really works clears them up really fast especially if you catch it when it has the itchy tingly warm feeling. I apply ear wax to my cold sores and I believe I may be 4 weeks pregnant not certain yet but I've gotten my first cold sore since about 4-6 yrs. that's what alarmed me to believe I may be pregnant. Try it, it works!!

Christine75 · 07/12/2015 05:21

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tinyme135 · 07/12/2015 07:53

I work in a pharmacy and you can use normal coldsore creams in pregnancy. I had some and I thought here we go can't take the cream and my pharmacist went why not it's safe. The only reason why someone won't give it to you is because they're protecting their own back that's all.

ODog · 07/12/2015 13:11

I not
Really use Zovirax on cold sores but pharmacist wouldn't sell it to me. They did sell me cymex though. Not as good but takes the sting away and it cleared up within a week. I wouldn't bother going to docs either.

Sourdough123 · 07/12/2015 13:32

I'm another advocate of lysine - high dose of this amino acid has helped me considerably in the past with severe breakouts.

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