Can You Use Abreva While Pregnant? The Truth from Experts

Most moms-to-be know that their body is going to change during pregnancy. Expectant moms will need to invest in bigger bras; their belly will stretch, and their hair may transform into the most luscious locks you’ve ever seen. However, did you know that changes to your hormones and immune system mean that you are more susceptible to cold sores during pregnancy too? That’s right, hormones can have you experiencing several cold sore breakouts while you are growing a baby. Cold sore creams are an effective treatment, but Can you use Abreva while pregnant?

So Can You Use Abreva While Pregnant?

If you have been wondering is Abreva safe while pregnant, we have some bad news.

Abreva is not recommended for use during pregnancy or for breastfeeding moms. However, you may still be able to use this cream if you discuss the risks with your doctor first.

Can You Use Cold Sore Cream When Pregnant?

Cold sores can look unattractive at best and can become infected and painful at worst. There is never a good time to get a cold sore, but it is definitely not something expectant moms want adding to their list of pregnancy ailments.

As well as being more prone to varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and swollen ankles during pregnancy, moms-to-be are also at a greater risk of developing cold sores. Abreva is a popular cream used to quickly and effectively heal cold sores, but is Abreva safe for pregnancy?

If you are pregnant and can feel those first tingles of a cold sore forming on your lips, don’t despair. Abreva may not be a suitable treatment method during pregnancy, but there are things you can do to treat the problem and keep future breakouts at bay.

Why Do I Keep Getting Cold Sores While Pregnant?

Never mind can you use Abreva while pregnant but how do you get them to start with? Cold sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus, often referred to as HSV. There are two different types of Herpes virus, one causes cold sores and the other causes genital herpes. Cold sores most commonly occur when a person has been exposed to the HSV1 virus, although there have been cases where mouth sores have been caused by HSV2.

Unfortunately, once you have contracted the herpes virus, it stays in your system forever. If you have had cold sores in the past, you won’t suddenly not get them anymore if you become pregnant. In fact, pregnancy can lead to more cold sore outbreaks than usual.

Cold sores can appear more frequently in pregnancy for several different reasons, including:

Hormones – Yes, hormones can cause even more chaos to your body during pregnancy than you first expected. Some women notice that they are more likely to get a cold sore during specific times of their menstrual cycle, and frequent outbreaks can be common during pregnancy too. The pregnant body experiences many hormonal changes and the rise and fall of different hormones can lead to an unwelcome visitor showing up on your mouth.
Fatigue – Have you ever noticed that when you are feeling run down, a cold sore will appear out of nowhere? Exhaustion is common during pregnancy and it’s no surprise, growing a baby is tiring work. If you are struggling with fatigue and low energy, your immune system will not be working as it should. If your immune system is not doing its job properly, the HSV virus has the perfect opportunity to strike.
Stress – Pregnancy is an exciting time but getting ready to welcome a new baby into the world can be stressful too. If you are feeling anxious about becoming a mom or worrying about the financial strain of starting a family, you may start to notice that familiar tingling sensation in your lips before too long. Stress doesn’t cause the HSV virus, but it can reactivate it. If you have had cold sores in the past, a stressful pregnancy may result in more frequent breakouts.

Reducing the Risk of Cold Sores During Pregnancy

Can I use Abreva while pregnant? Using Abreva during pregnancy isn’t recommended and treating cold sores isn’t easy. The best thing you can do is take preventive measures to avoid developing a cold sore in the first place.

Getting a cold sore when you’re expecting is unlikely to cause any significant harm to you or your unborn child, especially if you have had them in the past. There is no evidence to suggest that the virus can pass through the placenta and infect your baby. However, contracting HSV for the first time during pregnancy can be risky.

First time cold sores are most dangerous during the third trimester. If you are exposed to HSV for the first time in the late stages of your pregnancy, there is a small possibility of genital herpes developing. As your body hasn’t yet developed the antibodies to fight HSV, the virus may infect your genitals, putting your baby at risk of exposure during delivery.

Following these tips will help to reduce your risk of cold sores during pregnancy:

Avoid kissing anyone with a cold sore
Don’t share utensils
Don’t eat the same food as someone else
Avoid sharing lipsticks/lip gloss/chapstick
Rest to avoid exhaustion
Eat a healthy diet to support your immune system
Practice mindfulness, meditation and yoga to reduce stress levels

How to Treat Cold Sores While Pregnant

Abreva may not be a suitable cold sore treatment during pregnancy, but there are other things you can do to tackle the virus. Cold sore patches can be placed directly over the infected area to help ease the symptoms and encourage the virus to go away. These patches are effective in shortening healing time and are not thought to be dangerous during pregnancy.

There are also various home remedies moms-to-be can use to try and relieve the symptoms of a cold sore. Popular home remedies include putting an ice pack on the affected area, this may not reduce the length of time a cold sore is around but will help to reduce pain and swelling.

If you don’t like the thought of putting an ice cold pack onto your lip you can try a soothing lemon balm compress. Lemon balm is not known to be harmful during pregnancy and can effectively soothe the unpleasant symptoms of a cold sore.

If you are struggling to treat a cold sore during your pregnancy a doctor will be able to help. In certain circumstances, antiviral medication may be prescribed in either cream or tablet form to help fight the HSV infection.

Wrapping Up

Pregnant women are more susceptible to cold sores for a number of reasons. Fatigue, stress, and hormones can all cause the HSV virus to flare up during pregnancy. Abreva is a popular cold sore treatment, but can you use Abreva while Pregnant?

Abreva states on its website that its cold sore cream should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. However, you may still be able to use this treatment with your doctor’s guidance. As with all medicines during pregnancy, it is always important to get professional medical advice before starting treatment.