Due to stress and weakened immune system, development of cold sores is a fairly common problem during pregnancy. Herpes simplex type 1 virus is the primary cause of cold sores in pregnant women. Acute calcium deficiency is another major cause of cold sore development. A woman who experiences the first outbreak of cold sores has 33 percent likeliness of transferring the virus to infant during delivery. Cold sores can have devastating effects on baby if left untreated at the time of delivery. It results in skin rashes, mouth ulcers, can affect mucous membranes, eyes, and affects central nervous system. Medications for cold sores are generally oral, so it is best avoided for pregnant women. There are some safe natural treatment options to get rid of this painful problem. Read on to learn about them...

Top Natural Treatment to Consider For Cold Sores

Natural home remedies help in slowing down the metabolism of the area affected by cold sore. This ultimately results in drying out of lesion and providing you relief from pain altogether.

1. Vitamin C:

Vitamin C is the best natural enemy of cold sore virus. It has been seen that oral or intravenous application of vitamin C reduces the severity of cold sores symptoms. It has antiviral property, which destroys the multiplication of virus causing the condition. Putting lemon slices on cold sores helps in dealing effectively with it. You should consult your doctor to get the accurate supplemental dose of vitamin C, as excess of it results in diarrhea like condition.

2. Ice:

Ice compressions are one of the well proven cold sore treatment and offers great relief for pregnant ladies. It helps in slowing down the metabolism, discourages the multiplication of virus and numbs the area by reducing pain. The basic way is to apply ice on the cold sore for 10 minutes thrice an hour for quick healing. It also prevents the spread of infection to other parts.

3. Tea Bag:

The tannic acid in tea bags helps in drying out the sore by killing the virus. You should apply cold and warm tea bags to get rid of the lesion as early as possible. It has effective phyto-nutrients, which helps in controlling the infection and reducing the pain and itchiness.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar:

Apple cider vinegar is one of the oldest home remedy for cold sore and herpes infections. It is used by soaking cotton balls in it and applying on cold sores. It has antiviral activity, which destroys the virus, in return providing speedy recovery from pain. 

These are some of the best known natural treatments for cold sores during pregnancy. They also prevent any recurrence of the condition in future.

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