Frustrated Re: Cold Sores -- anyone else??

3Girls3xsTheFun

I usually get a cold sore/fever blister once every 6 months or so.

Since being pregnant I've had them 4 times -- 3 in the last 8 weeks alone!

It's really driving me crazy. They hurt and they look awful. I wish I coudl hide in my house until it goes away.

I'm going to call my OB on my lunch break to see if he can call me in a script for something, but I'm just curious if this is happening to anyone else?

A quick Google search says they can become more prevelant in pregnancy, but this has never happened to me before. And I am not liking this.

sammyb1017

Although I am prone to these generally, I have gotten them more frequently as well. It is very common to get them during pregnancy. Per my OB, any topical cream is safe during pregnancy. Valtrex is also safe (pill form) but personally, I would rather stick to topical creams (ie. Denavir-which is an rx or abreva-non rx) 

SarahPairAPants

I have to disagree about topical creams.  Not all topical creams have been deemed safe during pregnancy.  Abreva is only a FDA category B, which means it hasn't been tested on pregnant humans yet.  Denavir has also not been studied on pregnant women by the FDA.  From Denavir's website they say "no adequate" studies have been done on pregnant women.  Blistex, which I've also seen used for cold sore treatment, has some ingredients that are not safe for pregnant women to use.  Etc...I've bought the entire grocery section for cold sore treatments and after coming home and looking up the ingredients returned them all for one ingredient or the other not being safe or recommended for pregnant women. Obviously, this is only my opinion by what research I've been able to do.  Especially while I'm pregnant I like to err on the side of caution.  Living with a cold sore for it's life span (mine last about a week) is a small price to pay, IMO, over the safety of my little sprout.

Valtrex has been studied extensively, and has been proven safe for pregnant women.  It's does NOT cross the placenta therefore not affecting the baby.

I'm with pp, though, that I prefer not to take pills while I'm carrying my little sprout.  I use some home remedies when I've gotten cold sores in the past 7 months.  You can put a cold, steeped tea bag (with caffeine) on the sore, and/or a cold compress to help with the swelling.  I've also used a salt paste to dry them out.    Not the most effective, but it seems to work a tiny bit.

When I get them, they are the bane of my existence, so I feel your pain.

62406

I had one two weeks ago.  I usually get one or two a year and mine are usually brought on by stress.  My doctor told me I could use Abreva, I tried to limit it to only twice a day.  She also told me that if I get one again closer to delivery that she'lll put me on Valtrex so that I don't spread it to the little lady.

 I recommend peroxide and ice to help with the itching.  It seemed to go away quicker this time.