Cold Sores During Pregnancy
How To Manage Cold Sores During Early Pregnancy and Beyond.
If you’re pregnant, you’ve already got enough on your mind. The last thing you want to worry about is a cold sore outbreak. However, those with recurring cold sores can probably expect a cold sore during their pregnancy term. Learning what to expect can be integral in ensuring an outbreak does not cause any problems. The cold sore stages are unique and can be debilitating if handled incorrectly.
Why Do I Get Cold Sores During Pregnancy?
While pregnant, the women’s body releases more hormones and, similar to the menstrual cycle. Increased hormones in the body can trigger a cold sore flare-up, as well as increased stress, lack of sleep, and other common pregnancy issues.
There are also additional risks to having a cold sore with a baby on the way. After the baby is born, it can be easy to expose them to the virus through direct contact, like a kiss, or through indirect contact, such as bacteria from the blister. Babies that are infected with the HSV-1 virus can often become very sick.
Medicine & Cold Sores
While there are many options for oral medications that help reduce the length of a cold sore outbreak, many have harmful side-effects and are not safe to take while pregnant (see our list of cold sore medications). Valtrex, Zovirax, Lipactin, Abreva, and Zilactin all request that you consult your doctor before beginning treatment, in order to evaluate the risks to the unborn baby.
Natural Remedies
For non-harmful, not medicated ways of treating your cold sore, there’s a number of foods you can eat that will boost your immune system and help combat the virus. Zinc is a trace material found in the body that offers many benefits, and can be found in foods such as beef, shellfish, peanuts and legumes. Zinc creams can be applied to a cold sore to help the healing process as well.
Vanilla
Vanilla is delicious and smells great, as well as holds anti-infectious agents that will help tame the infection. Use pure vanilla extract to reduce inflammation and pain as well. Apply the extract to a cotton ball and use three or four times a day.
Milk
Drinking milk can be another easy way to fighting the virus from within. Milk contains immunoglobulins; anti-bodies that fight off and prevent the HSV-1 virus. Drink whole milk throughout the day, and you can also apply whole milk to the infected area with a cotton ball.
Vitamins
Certain vitamins have excellent cold sore fighting properties. Vitamin C increases your white blood count, which makes your immune system stronger. Vitamin E, when applied topically, can reduce swelling and pain in the infected area, as well as reduce scarring. Some foods that are rich in Vitamin C & E are: Red berries, kiwi, broccoli, tomatoes, bell peppers, leafy greens, whole grains, and avocados.
The Best Solution
If you are on a strict diet, or can’t rely on natural remedies, use the only cold sore prevention product approved for use during pregnancy. InterceptCS™ will prevent a cold sore outbreak from occurring in the first place, with amazing Thermal Therapy Technology. Thermal Therapy uses heat to destroy the virus, without harmful side-effects or risks. Intercept is portable, discrete, and ready for any occasion. For more information, check out InterceptCS™ now!