Herpes on the lips during pregnancy: how to treat colds in the 1st and 2nd trimester

What is herpes on the lips

Directly translated from Latin, the word “herpes” means a creeping, spreading skin disease. In medical language, the definition sounds like “a disease of viral etiology with a characteristic eruption of groups of blisters on the mucous membranes and skin.” Most often, this sore affects the skin, eyes (this leads to keratitis and conjunctivitis), and the external genitalia.

In especially severe cases, damage to the nervous system with the subsequent development of inflammatory processes such as meningitis and encephalitis is possible.

The cause of the well-known herpes on the lips is the herpes simplex virus type 1. According to scientists, almost every person on earth is a carrier of it almost from childhood. The virus penetrates sensitive nerve endings and, as it were, integrates into the genetic chain of nerve cells, after which it is impossible to remove it from the body; it remains for life.

The immune system fights this disease very simply - it produces specific antibodies to it, which block its particles when they enter the bloodstream. Therefore, the pathogen cannot pass further than the nerve nodes, and accordingly, it cannot harm. But if the immune system fails, the clinical picture becomes obvious, so to speak. More precisely, on the lips.

About the disease

Herpes is a viral disease (Greek “Herpes”), which is characterized by a rash of small blisters on the mucous membranes and skin.

The causative agent is the herpes simplex virus, which is common. About 90% of the total population is infected with it, but symptoms appear in only 5% of them.

The appearance of herpes on the lips in pregnant women is due to a decrease in immune strength. Provoking factors:

Hormonal imbalance that develops as a result of changes in the body after conception.
The presence of chronic diseases in a woman.
General fatigue.
Deficiency of vitamins and microelements.
Use of any medications.

Symptoms of herpes on the lips during pregnancy

The most striking clinical symptom is a group of small blisters on the lip. There is a transparent or cloudy liquid inside them, and there are signs of inflammation (redness) around them. But there are symptoms that can help determine a relapse of the disease even before these same bubbles appear:

itching and burning of the mucous membrane of the lips and the skin around them;
slight chills for no apparent reason;
rarely – malaise and weakness.

If you start reacting according to all the rules before bubbles appear, they can be avoided. Because if they manage to jump out, the symptoms will worsen sharply:

the bubbles burst, the liquid from them infects the surrounding tissues;
the wound left after the blisters dries out and becomes crusty;
the crust bursts at the slightest movement of the lips, the wound bleeds.

The sensations, in general, are unpleasant. Therefore, it is better to avoid such troubles at all costs, especially during pregnancy. And for this you need to know where this herpes comes from.

Herpesvirus in the second trimester

The second trimester of pregnancy is characterized by relative stability of the expectant mother's immune system, since her body has adapted to the new state and no longer perceives the fetus as a foreign body that must be rejected. The immune system returns to normal, and the baby himself feels “more confident”:

all systems and organs are already laid down and formed;
the baby is growing and gaining height and weight;
the little man begins to actively move and “tumble.”

Doctors say that herpes on the lip in the second trimester of pregnancy is not dangerous for the baby if it manifests itself in a recurrent form

Advice. Timely and complete compliance by the mother with all the recommendations of the leading gynecologist minimizes the risk of developing pathologies in the fetus due to infection, therefore it is worth contacting the clinic at the first signs of the disease. As a rule, the doctor may prescribe an additional examination in order to identify possible consequences and infection of the amniotic fluid.

Causes of herpes on the lip in early pregnancy

Herpes on the lip during pregnancy can appear with equal success in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd trimester. If you have never had it, there is only one way to become infected - by contact with the pathogen. There are a lot of ways to do this:

kiss a virus carrier;
have unprotected sexual contact with him;
drink from the same cup with the carrier (this applies to any glassware);
smoke a cigarette after the carrier (although smoking during pregnancy is generally undesirable);
apply lipstick with the wearer's lipstick.

There are actually a lot of options. At the slightest contact with the virus on the mucous membrane of your mouth (even through indirect contact), the disease cannot be avoided.

Factors provoking the disease

If you know firsthand what this herpes is and periodically fight with it, during pregnancy relapses can be provoked by the following factors: stress (well, for us, it is the cause of all diseases in principle);

overwork;
hypothermia;
bad habits (where would we be without them);
ENT diseases;
acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections;
taking medications;
hypovitaminosis.

The most important reason for relapses, no matter how funny it is, is pregnancy itself. This is your fruit - a native miracle of nature. For the body, this is a foreign body, which for some reason must be protected. The body reduces the level of immune defense so that immune cells do not start attacking the baby. And decreased immunity turns on the green light for the herpes virus.

In addition, any pathologies that already exist in the body are perfectly activated by hormonal changes. And pregnancy, within the framework of human physiology, is almost complete “hormonal madness.”

How to treat

Treatment is complicated by the fact that pregnant women are not allowed to take all medications. Therefore, if herpes on the lips is diagnosed during pregnancy, the doctor takes into account the safety of the products when selecting therapy.

Drug treatment

To eliminate the manifestations of HSV, complex therapy is required, otherwise the disease will constantly recur.

Recommendations: In the first trimester, taking antiviral drugs in tablet form is prohibited. They can only be taken after 35 weeks. In the early stages, local medications are prescribed - ointments, gels.

Therapy for herpes simplex virus involves antiviral drugs:

Topical preparations act exclusively at the local level; the active substances do not enter the bloodstream and, therefore, do not harm the fetus.

It is important to review your diet and exclude simple carbohydrates from your daily diet. It is necessary to create a menu of seafood, lean fish, chicken, fresh vegetables and fruits.

Consequences of herpes on the lips during pregnancy

If you are a happy carrier of the virus (yes, in this situation you are lucky, no quotes or jokes), the virus is not scary for your baby.

Your body already knows what to do if this infection has become active, so even without special treatment, the disease will go away in 5-7 days , all you have to do is fight the itching and crusts, and even then more for the sake of your own comfort.

If you are faced with this problem for the first time, the first thing you must do is go to the doctor. No options. There are no antibodies to herpes in your body, the immune system is weakened and will take longer to “learn” to fight this scourge. The doctor will prescribe a special treatment for you, given that you are in a position and it is, to put it mildly, undesirable for you to swallow pills. Without treatment, the virus will travel through the blood, infecting the baby. You are the big one and you will survive. And the fetus is very small, especially in the 1st-2nd trimester. The consequences for him can be catastrophic:

Pathology of chorion development. This is the membrane that replaces the placenta for the baby in the first trimester of pregnancy. With any of its lesions, the threat of miscarriage increases.
Pathology of the development of the nervous system and/or internal organs in the early stages of gestation . This can lead to pregnancy failure as a result of fetal death.
Pathological changes in the placenta. This should be feared in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, when it is already formed and tries to protect the baby, taking the attack of the virus upon itself. In such cases, there is a risk of placental abruption. In the third trimester, this can also cause premature birth.
Lesions of the vaginal mucosa. The body does not have time to cope with the virus before it infects these mucous membranes. If a baby passes through an infected birth canal, the risk of serious pathologies in its development is significant. In this case, doctors perform the birth through a caesarean section, which is not very good for the baby (but still better than being infected during the birth process) and is not very pleasant for the mother.

In order to prevent any of the possible scenarios, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible and begin systematic comprehensive treatment.

Did you know? In addition to possible complications during pregnancy, it is better not to get herpes during normal life. According to research conducted at Columbia University, this virus is a factor in stimulating the development of Alzheimer's disease. Subsequent studies revealed that 90% of pathological plaques in the brains of patients with this disease contain DNA of herpes simplex.

Should I use traditional treatment?

Often pregnant women, not wanting to use pharmaceutical drugs, use the recommendations of traditional healers. This option can be quite effective if used simultaneously with traditional methods and after consulting a treating specialist. Here are the simplest recipes for getting rid of pathology:

If there is itching on the lip, you can lubricate the problem area with lavender or fir oils, medicinal lemon balm or tea tree. Almond ether is also used. Lubrication is carried out two or three times within 24 hours; in addition, the same procedure is required before going to bed.
Warming up existing sores with brewed tea bags is effective.
An effective remedy is freshly squeezed Kalanchoe juice. Soak a cotton swab in it, anoint the sore and repeat the procedure up to five times a day. Instead of Kalanchoe, aloe can be used.

There are a number of equally simple remedies. For example, fresh lemon juice helps. If you have a cold, you can apply a cotton pad pre-moistened with a hot soda solution; the resulting soda crust should not be removed. But the main advice is to strengthen the immune system. To do this, they review their daily routine, include walks in the fresh air, drink freshly squeezed juices and herbs that strengthen the immune system.

How to treat herpes on the lips during pregnancy

If you are pregnant, the pills are contraindicated for you, even if you are infected for the first time and the risks for the baby are very high. Not a single doctor would agree to complicate the baby’s situation with antibiotic therapy for the mother. Therefore, treatment is carried out exclusively locally (acting on those same itchy blisters) using ointments. Most often prescribed:

Acyclovir. This is an antiviral agent, also available in the form of an ointment. It prevents the virus from multiplying in cells. Cheap but effective in most cases.
Valaciclovir. In most cases, it completely suppresses the biological activity of the virus, blocks its reproduction and spread, including to other people.
Docosanol. It is used in cosmetics as a softening and emulsifying agent and has an antiviral effect.
Tromantadine . This is an antiviral medicine for external use. Blocks the absorption and penetration of the virus into cells.

Additional recommendations

A course of vitamin E. This vitamin has a pronounced wound-healing property (and after the bubbles, it is the wounds that remain).
Immunostimulating agents. Only of natural origin, more often in the form of vitamin complexes.
Rest, proper nutrition and healthy sleep. Well, this is important in any case: a healthy body that eats well and sleeps soundly recovers faster.

In addition to the therapy prescribed by the doctor, it is important to remember that treatment of herpes is impossible without proper hygiene:

wash your hands after contact with your face (otherwise you will spread the virus throughout your body);
don’t peel off the crusts (yes, it’s hellishly difficult, but still don’t do it, even if you really want to);
do not use cosmetics (the virus remains on it and lives well in it, you will re-infect yourself until the tube or lipstick runs out).

Separately about itching and crusts. Yes, it itches. I really want to rip off the hunt. To alleviate this symptom and not cause trouble, try lubricating the wounds with sea buckthorn or rosehip oil. This will moisturize the crusts, they will not pull the skin so much. In addition, these oils have wound healing and antiseptic properties.

Treatment of labial rashes in the second trimester

The manifestation of pathology for a period of more than 12 weeks is also subject to mandatory treatment:

Treatment of herpes on the lips during pregnancy in the second trimester is carried out according to a scheme similar to that described for the early stages. The doctor can select an antiviral ointment if the symptoms of a local labial rash are pronounced and cause the woman discomfort not only aesthetically, but also physically.
For severe blistering rashes, accompanied by redness and swelling, doctors prescribe to their patients cauterization of the blisters with interferon or an oil solution of vitamin E. Such procedures help speed up skin healing and minimize the risk of infection spreading throughout the body.
Treatment with folk remedies for herpes on the lips of pregnant women is carried out using products from the home medicine cabinet: Corvalol, calendula tincture, tea tree oil, pine oil or rosehip oil are allowed. You can also use special hygienic lipsticks with tea tree oil; onion and garlic juice will also be useful. For those women who experience hypersensitivity to odors during pregnancy, it is better to replace onion or garlic juice with Phytosorbent or Polyphepan powder.
Apple cider vinegar diluted in half with honey helps dry out weeping rashes.
Taking into account the state of the immune response in a pregnant woman, the doctor decides to prescribe immunostimulating drugs.

Before you start treating herpes with folk remedies, you should definitely consult with your doctor about the advisability of such therapy.

Advice. Before you begin treating herpes on the lips during pregnancy with folk recipes based on honey, you should make sure that the expectant mother is not allergic to bee products.

Prevention

You should take the very first step in this very prevention even before conceiving the baby. Just take a blood test to check for antibodies to the herpes virus. If they exist, well, you know about it and will take care of yourself, avoiding all the factors described in the causes of the disease.

If antibodies to the herpes virus are not found, this is dangerous. You should never get it during pregnancy. For this:

avoid people with herpes, especially if it is “clinic on the face”;
do not have sex with an unknown partner, especially without barrier contraception;
if you feel that the virus has gotten to the corner of your lip (for example), immediately treat this area with an antiseptic;
use only personal hygiene products and only your own cosmetics;
Wash your hands as often as possible.

Herpes in the last months of pregnancy

Herpes in the third trimester of pregnancy on a woman’s lips is not considered a dangerous pathology if it is not primary. A recurrence of this infection in itself is not dangerous, since by this period the mother was able to transfer to the baby a sufficient amount of antibodies necessary for independent protection against the agent. The danger comes from primary infection, which can provoke:

premature birth and infection of amniotic fluid;
late fetal death;
delayed fetal development and extreme prematurity.

To obtain a general clinical picture of the infection, the doctor prescribes additional laboratory tests for the expectant mother.

If a woman is diagnosed with primary herpes on the lips during pregnancy, the consequences of possible infection of the fetus force doctors to decide on urgent hospitalization of the mother.

Important. Only in a hospital setting, as a rule, is a comprehensive diagnosis of the degree of infection of the fetus and amniotic fluid carried out and a decision is made on premature delivery by cesarean section.

Herpes during pregnancy - video

This video explains in detail what kind of virus this is, why it is dangerous and how to fight it. Be sure to reconsider and take it into account - you don’t need problems in the form of herpes during pregnancy.

Herpes is unpleasant. Every woman who knows him personally will agree with this. But it can be treated, and quite simply, if you don’t delay it. Yes, he is with you for life, yes, in some cases he will remind you of himself. But this is not at all fatal if you react in time.

This disease during pregnancy is a separate matter, especially if you first became infected with it in a curious position. Yes, this is not too dangerous for you, but it is dangerous for the baby, especially in the early stages of gestation. Therefore, do not delay going to the doctor, it is in the interests of the baby.

If you know what this problem is from personal experience, share it in the comments. Especially with the means that helped you personally. This will definitely come in handy for those who are experiencing this kind of trouble for the first time. In general, it’s better not to get sick, let your pregnancy go smoothly and well!

Why does herpes occur in pregnant women?

Modern medicine, in particular obstetrics, treats herpes that appears on the lips during pregnancy with ambiguity. Attention to this disease is important, since even doctors are divided on what the consequences are for both the woman and the baby.

There is an opinion that herpes colds are the cause of complex and serious deviations in the health of the newborn. Defects in the development of the fetus are also recorded. Some doctors claim that negative manifestations will not appear at all.

While carrying a child, a woman experiences enormous stress, as she needs to listen to the signals that the body sends. Additionally, all sources of nutrients and vitamins redirect their work - they need to distribute the elements so that the nutrients supply the growing and developing baby, and not just the tissues and organs of the woman herself.

As a result, the immune system begins to reduce its level of protection. Also, a decrease in immunity is associated with ensuring that the pregnancy process itself proceeds without deviations, since the fetus in the first stages can be perceived as a “foreign” body that can harm health.

Manifestations of weakened immunity are:

thrush occurs;
processes of destruction of tooth enamel intensify (under the influence of microbes in the oral cavity);
Inflammatory processes occur on the gums.

Gums may also bleed and gingivitis may develop. In the 1st trimester, colds on the lips occur frequently and are a signal that the immune system is weakened and the body needs support. That is why doctors prescribe various complexes of vitamins and microelements, and vegetables and fruits are introduced into the diet in increased quantities.

Video material about herpes during pregnancy:

Cause of the disease

The main reason why a cold on the lip appears is a previous infection, as well as a repeated manifestation (relapse). There is no need for special concern if the woman has previously suffered from a similar disease, but if the cold appeared for the first time during pregnancy, consultation with a specialist will be required.

In 97% of cases, the characteristic blister on the lip is caused by the presence of type 1 herpes in the body. The peculiarity is that 99% of people have natural antibodies to it in their blood.

At the moment of the rash, in this case, the body notifies the person that his immune system is weakened under the influence of a certain factor, in this case, pregnancy. The woman is required to provide support in the form of taking appropriate medications, vitamins and following a diet rich in vegetables and fruits.

Interesting! Herpes of the first type is not a threat to the life and health of a pregnant woman and her baby if the manifestations are not the first and there are no concomitant or other health abnormalities.

In the case when such blisters on the skin first appeared during pregnancy and are accompanied by symptoms of a particular infection, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Gestational age

If the characteristic bubble appears at the very beginning of pregnancy, then in theory this period is considered the most responsible, therefore, the threat to the baby is greater. This is due to the fact that before the 2nd trimester begins, most systems and organs are formed.

For a pregnant woman who gets a herpes infection for the first time precisely at the moment of bearing a baby, there is a danger, since the course of the disease will be severe. If there is a relapse of an existing disease, then the infection does not have any significant and significant impact on the fetus or the health of the expectant mother.

This is due to the fact that the antibodies a woman has are transferred to the baby, who receives immune protection against infection before the age of 5-6 months.

At the same time, herpes that manifests itself in the second trimester is less dangerous even when it first appeared. The woman should still report the incident to her doctor, who will prescribe treatment appropriate to the situation and indicators.

All therapy is also carried out under the supervision of a specialist. He will explain how to treat a “cold”, develop the optimal dosage of drugs and draw up a complete rehabilitation plan.

Regardless of the stage of pregnancy - 1st, 2nd or 3rd trimester, when a rash appears, you must follow the rules of hygiene. You should always wash your hands, and if there are ulcers, they should be treated additionally. It is important to remember that intimate hygiene should be carried out only with clean hands. This is done so as not to cause them to become infected.

In any case, at the first suspicion of herpes, you should consult a doctor - during the examination, he will determine a treatment program and, if necessary, give a referral for inpatient therapy.

Treatment methods

In addition to limited drug treatment of herpes in pregnant women during this period, it is important for a woman to adhere to proper nutrition in order to provide the body with all the necessary components that strengthen the immune system.

General approach

Pregnant women need to take vitamin complexes, get more rest and not be exposed to stress - all this reduces the activity of defense mechanisms.

If herpes manifests itself in the form of ulcers , during their treatment you should not scratch the sores or tear off the skin from them .

Need to know! This can lead to the introduction of an associated bacterial infection, and unlike the herpes virus, it may not be opportunistic, but harmful and dangerous for the unborn child.

As for conservative drug therapy, treatment tactics in this case are determined by the attending physician, while strong antiviral drugs in tablet forms are not prescribed .

These medications have severe side effects that can affect the fetus.

Medicines

The use of external preparations in the form of gels and ointments is allowed .
Preferred drugs are based on the active substance acyclovir.

They must be applied to sores in accordance with the instructions: in each specific case, the frequency of use of ointments can vary from 3 to 8 per day, and the duration of treatment will be on average 5-7 days.

Such drugs include:

herpetad;
acyclovir;
virolex;
Zovirax;
acivir;
agerp.

In the early stages (1st and 2nd trimester), it is better not to use such funds unless necessary.

Stay up to date! And if the rashes are mild and do not cause pain, it is better to use improvised means to lubricate the wounds:

to speed up the bursting of bubbles, you can lubricate them with toothpaste 1-2 times a day;
You can cauterize wounds with propolis tincture;
aloe juice or tea oil is used to accelerate the healing of damaged skin;
To dry out sores, you can rub them with slices of raw potatoes several times a day.

In the 3rd trimester , in addition to acyclovir-based products, you can use Valtrex ointment, Panavir, oxolinic ointment, Valtrex, famaciclovir, valciclovir and penciclovir.

Therapy for labial herpes in late pregnancy

Therapy in this case depends on the degree of manifestation of viral pathology at the late stage of gestation:

Intense rashes, accompanied by redness, itching, swelling, are treated with antiviral ointments (Panavir, Oksolin, ointment with tetracycline). Internal administration of antiviral oral forms is prohibited, as they can cause significant harm to the fetus.
Symptomatic treatment of manifestations of fever against the background of progression of infection is carried out using gentle dosage forms of antipyretic drugs (Panadol, children's Paracetamol). Doctors also recommend natural antiseptics to their patients: raspberry tea, currant infusion, linden blossom tea.
Inflamed rashes accompanied by redness, fluid secretion and swelling are treated by doctors with cauterization with interferon or an oil solution of vitamin E (to speed up wound healing and eliminate the risk of infection spreading throughout the body).

Vitamin E is included in the list of traditional complexes for the treatment of herpes

Treatment with folk remedies can be carried out using alcohol tinctures, oil solutions, and saline concentrates. When using traditional methods, it is important to monitor the patient’s condition, since it is difficult to predict the reaction of the body, weakened by hormonal changes, to any ingredient.
Auxiliary means of treating herpes virus infection are echinacea and eleutherococcus. The reaction of an organism engaged in radical preparation for childbirth to any medicine, even a homeopathic one, is difficult to predict. That is why taking the safest medicinal herbal remedies should be carried out as directed and under the constant supervision of a leading gynecologist and therapist.

It is not advisable to take vitamin complexes and immunomodulators in late pregnancy, since it is worthwhile to allow the mother’s body to prepare for childbirth and possible therapeutic drug effects. However, in exceptional cases, when the body of the expectant mother is in dire need of vitamin and immune correction, the specialist selects the optimal solution for her in the form of a balanced multivitamin complex.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

The question of whether herpes on the lips is dangerous during pregnancy worries all expectant mothers with this disease. The decisive point in this case is when the infection occurred - before or during pregnancy.

If a herpes infection existed before pregnancy, the expectant mother’s body has time to produce specific antibodies that protect the unborn baby from the negative effects of the virus. In such cases, complications are extremely rare.

More dangerous consequences of herpes on the lips in pregnant women can develop during primary infection during the period of an “interesting” situation. In this case, the gestational age at which the virus entered the body of the expectant mother is decisive.

In the early stages of pregnancy, the herpes virus on the lips easily reaches the fetus, since its protection - the placenta - has not yet been formed. In these cases, pregnancy can end in fetal death and miscarriage, or in the development of various deformities in the unborn child, often incompatible with life.

In the second or third trimester, primary infection with herpes infection is fraught with the development of congenital heart defects, hearing impairment, pathologies of the respiratory system and other developmental anomalies in the fetus.

Cases of generalization of herpetic infection in pregnant women are extremely rare and are usually combined with obvious immunodeficiency conditions, for example, AIDS.

HOW TO AVOID INFECTION

The main direction of preventing exacerbations of the disease during pregnancy is maintaining a healthy lifestyle and strengthening the immune system - a balanced diet, taking multivitamin complexes as prescribed by a doctor.

It is necessary to exclude the possibility of infection with herpes: avoid contact with infected people.

At the stage of pregnancy planning, it would be useful to undergo an examination in order to identify susceptibility and the presence of a herpes infection in the body. Further, based on the results of such tests, the doctor will be able to give recommendations, compliance with which will help prevent all the dangers of herpes on the lips during pregnancy.