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 the baby they can seem like a serious threat. Many women are beginning to fear that this viral disease can negatively affect the fetus. Some, upon detection of herpes on the lip in early pregnancy, are immediately sent to specialists, while others resort to self-medication. Do their fears have any basis? We will try to answer this question in this article.
The process of the appearance of herpes in expectant mothers
Herpes can be infected by contact and airborne droplets. The virus enters the body through the respiratory tract, oral mucosa or genitals, and after a certain time through the blood and lymph into the internal organs and the genome of nerve cells. This disease remains with its carrier for life.
Since herpes can lurk in the body for a long time and not express itself, many women do not even suspect that they are infected before pregnancy. The appearance of herpes on the lip during pregnancy is usually facilitated by the restructuring of the immune system.
Herpes Stages
Rashes characteristic of this disease usually go through certain stages:
- Itching The skin begins to itch in the corners of the lips and on the face.
- The appearance of blisters. At this stage, the itching disappears, a painful swelling of small sizes on the lip forms, which gradually grows and becomes larger.
- Erosion. At this stage, the painful blisters burst, and sores form in their place. The fluid that accompanies this process contains particles of the virus, so it is necessary to maintain sterility at the sites of formation of herpetic rash.
- 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 harmful to the fetus?
Herpes is dangerous for the fetus only when antibodies to the virus have not yet been developed in the woman's body. This happens in those cases when it has only invaded her body.
Primary infection is a threat in the following cases:
- The future mother is seriously compromised immunity.
- The virus got into her body in the last trimester of pregnancy. In this case, the possibility of transmitting the virus to the fetus is very high.
- A woman and her partner practice oral sex. If a man is infected with herpes, then his partner is very likely to have herpes on her lip in the first trimester of pregnancy, which can be an indication for a caesarean section closer to childbirth.
If the expectant mother was already infected with the herpes virus before pregnancy, then he will not be able to influence the development of the baby.
What the primary infection may lead to
Herpes on the lip in the first trimester of pregnancy in the case of primary infection sometimes increases the risk of certain defects in the fetus and even leads to miscarriage. However, it is worth noting that the likelihood of such complications is usually at the level of 50/50, they may not be observed.
If in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, herpes on the lip makes itself felt, in some cases its appearance can provoke a delayed pregnancy.
The herpes virus in the second trimester of pregnancy no longer carries such a serious danger to the development of the fetus, because by this time the main organs of the future baby are already fully formed. However, in certain cases, the virus can negatively affect the function of the placenta and cause oxygen starvation in the fetus, which will delay the development of the baby in the womb. A child may be born into the world with a deficiency of weight or with a reduced immunity.
Infection with herpes in the third trimester is extremely rare, but can cause disturbances in the development of the organs of vision and hearing of the baby. A severe 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 the help of a specialist so that he makes an examination and prescribes an effective course of treatment.
The nature of the therapeutic treatment is that antiviral drugs are not prescribed to a pregnant woman. Taking these drugs can harm the body more seriously than a herpetic rash.
The course of treatment for the disease usually includes:
- Ointments with antiviral activity.
- Homeopathic remedies.
- Vitamins
- A certain diet.
- Means of traditional medicine.
Drug treatment
In the treatment of herpes on the lips during pregnancy, ointments are often used: "Fenistil", "Zovirax", "Acyclovir" and others. They are able to exert a local effect without penetrating the blood, therefore they can not harm the fetus. Antiviral ointments are very effective at the very beginning of the disease.
"Panavir" is 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, immunoglobulins and multivitamin complexes are included in the course of treatment of herpes on the lips during pregnancy.
With very strong pain on the lips, the lesions are cauterized by Menovazine, and they also use zinc ointment to relieve symptoms of the inflammatory process and accelerate the drying process of ulcers.
Folk recipes
At the first symptoms of herpes, real medicine recipes can provide real help.
- It is necessary to apply essential oil to the inflamed areas of choice: fir, eucalyptus, sea buckthorn and more.
- 3 times a day for 15 minutes, apply a leaf of aloe, cut along, or Kalanchoe to the site of the lesion.
- Lubricate the skin affected by the virus, sulfur from the ears.
- Use a compress from a warm bag of sleeping tea when treating.
- If itching is felt, apply toothpaste to the problem area.
Antiviral herbs
Actively struggle with herpes on the lips during pregnancy in the first trimester of such herbs as celandine, oregano, a series of others. For the treatment of herpes, various herbal decoctions and tinctures are used. It is advised to start a 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, which is capable of replacing antibiotics in its properties, is actively used in the treatment of herpes. Tincture based on it, effectively fights with a herpetic rash and accelerates wound healing. In herbal medicine, tinctures from calendula flowers, pharmacy chamomile, tansy decoction, and wormwood tea are also used. Before use, be sure to consult your doctor.
Preventative measures
In order to prevent the appearance of a herpetic rash in women during pregnancy, it is necessary to adhere to certain recommendations:
- It is necessary to exclude all contacts with colds with characteristic rashes on the lips.
- To support the immune system, you should eat properly and take vitamins.
- It is recommended to take daily walks in the fresh air, do not be nervous for no reason.
- Do not overheat or supercool the body.
- You should abandon bad habits and oral sex.
- At the initial stage of the disease, you urgently need to resort to alternative methods of treatment.
- In order to prevent the appearance of a herpetic rash, it is extremely important to comply with generally accepted sanitary hygiene rules. Do not wear other people's clothes or use other people's hygiene items.
With an exacerbation of this disease, it is advised to strictly follow the rules that help to prevent the spread of herpetic rash outside the affected skin.
- With special care, wash your hands.
- Use personal hygiene items and utensils.
- You can not independently clean the sores from the crusts formed on them. This can lead to a bacterial infection.
- Observe safety measures when applying cosmetics.
In most cases, herpes on the lips during pregnancy does not negatively affect a woman’s health and fetal development. But in order to insure yourself against unpredictable consequences, you should seek the advice of a specialist.