Herpes on the lips during pregnancy: danger and treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Herpes on the lips during pregnancy in most cases causes great anxiety in expectant mothers. If in another period of life, the manifestations of this disease are perceived by women simply as uncomfortable sensations, then during the period of bearing a baby, they can seem like a serious threat. Many women begin to fear that this viral disease can negatively affect the fetus. Some, when herpes is found on the lip in the early stages of pregnancy, are immediately sent to specialists, while others resort to self-medication. Are their fears justified? We will try to answer this question in this article.

The process of the appearance of herpes in expectant mothers

Herpes can be contracted by contact and airborne droplets. The virus enters the body through the respiratory tract, oral mucosa or genital organs, and after a certain time through the blood and lymph - into the internal organs and the genome of nerve cells. This disease remainscarrier for life.

Since herpes can hide in the body for a long time and not declare itself, many women do not even suspect that they are infected with it before pregnancy. The appearance of herpes on the lip during pregnancy is usually facilitated by the restructuring of the immune system.

Stages of herpes

The rashes characteristic of this disease usually go through certain stages:

1. Itching. The skin in the corners of the lips and on the face begin to itch.
2. The appearance of blisters. At this stage, the itching disappears, a painful swelling of a small size forms on the lip, which gradually grows and becomes larger.
3. Erosion. At this stage, the painful blisters burst and ulcers form in their place. The fluid that accompanies this process contains virus particles, so it is necessary to maintain sterility in places where a herpetic rash forms.
4. Crusting. This stage of the disease is characterized by drying of the sores. Untimely removal of the formed crusts can cause bleeding.

Is the virus dangerous to the fetus

Herpes is dangerous for the fetus only when the woman's body has not yet developed antibodies to the virus. This happens in cases where he has just taken root in her body.

Primary infection poses a threat in the following cases:

1. At the expectant motherseriously compromised immunity.
2. The virus entered her body in the last trimester of pregnancy. In this case, the possibility of transmitting the virus to the fetus is very high.
3. A woman and her partner practice oral sex. If a man is infected with herpes, then his partner is more likely to develop herpes on the lip in the first trimester of pregnancy, which may be an indication for a caesarean section closer to childbirth.

If the expectant mother was already infected with the herpes virus before pregnancy, then it will not be able to influence the development of the baby.

What can primary infection lead to

Herpes on the lip in the first trimester of pregnancy in case of primary infection sometimes increases the risk of certain malformations in the fetus and even leads to miscarriage. However, it is worth noting that the probability of such complications is usually at the level of 50/50, they may not be observed.

If herpes on the lip makes itself felt in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, in some cases its appearance can provoke a missed pregnancy.

The herpes virus in the second trimester of pregnancy no longer poses such a serious danger to the development of the fetus, because by this time the main organs of the unborn baby are already fully formed. However, in certain cases, the virus can adversely affect the functions of the placenta and cause oxygen starvation in the fetus, which will lead to a delay in the development of the baby in the womb. A child can be born with a lack of weight or with reduced immunity.

Infection with herpes in the third trimesterhappens extremely rarely, but can cause disturbances in the development of the organs of vision and hearing of the baby. A heavy course of treatment for herpes on the lips during pregnancy at this time sometimes leads to premature birth.

Treatment methods

If the initial symptoms of the disease are detected, the expectant mother is recommended to seek help from a specialist so that he can examine and prescribe an effective course of treatment.

The nature of the therapeutic treatment is that the pregnant woman is not prescribed antiviral drugs. Taking these drugs can harm the body more seriously than a cold sore.

The course of treatment for the disease usually includes:

• Ointments with antiviral activity.
• Homeopathic remedies.
• Vitamins.
• Certain nutrition.
• Traditional medicine.

Medication treatment

In the treatment of herpes on the lips during pregnancy, ointments are often used: "Fenistil", "Zovirax", "Acyclovir" and others. They are able to have a local effect without penetrating into the blood, so they cannot harm the fetus. Antiviral ointments are very effective at the very beginning of the disease.

"Panavir" is a one-of-a-kind drug that is allowed to be taken in the form of tablets by pregnant women. It is prescribed for severe herpes and extensive lesions. In addition to him, the course of treatment of herpes on the lips during pregnancy includes immunoglobulins and multivitamin complexes.

With very strong pain on the lips, the lesions are cauterized with Menovazin, and zinc ointment is also used to relieve the symptoms of the inflammatory process and accelerate the process of drying of the sores.

Folk recipes

At the first symptoms of herpes, traditional medicine recipes can provide real help.

• It should be applied to the inflamed areas with an essential oil of your choice: fir, eucalyptus, sea buckthorn and more.
• 3 times a day for 15 minutes, apply a leaf of aloe, cut lengthwise, or Kalanchoe to the affected area.
• Lubricating the skin affected by the virus with wax from the ears.
• Use a compress from a warm bag of sleeping tea when treating.
• When itching, apply toothpaste to the problem area.

Antiviral herbs

Actively fighting herpes on the lips during pregnancy in the first trimester, such herbs as celandine, oregano, string and others. For the treatment of herpes, various herbal decoctions and tinctures are used. It is advised to start the course of treatment with small doses. It is necessary to monitor the body's reaction to folk remedies, because some herbs may contain toxic substances. For example, large doses of celandine often cause intoxication accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea.

Echinacea, capable of replacing antibiotics in its properties, is actively used in the treatment of herpes. A tincture based on it effectively fights herpetic rash and accelerates the healing of wounds. Herbal medicine also uses tinctures from calendula flowers, chamomile, decoction of tansy, tea from wormwood. Be sure to consult your doctor before use.

Preventive measures

To prevent the appearance of herpetic rash in women during pregnancy, it is necessary to follow certain recommendations:

• It is necessary to exclude all contact with cold people who have characteristic rashes on the lips.
• To support the immune system, you should eat right and take vitamins.
• It is recommended to take daily walks in the fresh air, not to be nervous for no reason.
• Do not overheat or overcool the body.
• Bad habits and oral sex should be abandoned.
• At the initial stage of the disease, it is urgent to resort to alternative methods of treatment.
• In order to prevent the appearance of a herpetic rash, it is extremely important to observe generally accepted sanitary rules of hygiene. Do not wear other people's clothes or use other people's hygiene items.

When this disease worsens, it is advised to strictly follow the rules to help prevent the spread of herpetic rash beyond the affected skin.

1. Especial care must be taken when washing hands.
2. Should be usedpersonal hygiene items and utensils.
3. You can not clean the sores from the crusts formed on them on your own. This can lead to bacterial infection.
4. Observe safety measures when applying cosmetics.

In most cases, herpes on the lips during pregnancy does not adversely affect the he alth of the woman and the development of the fetus. But in order to insure yourself against unpredictable consequences, you should seek the advice of a specialist.