Treatment FAQ

cold sore treatment ok when breastfeeding

by Cruz Sipes Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Cold and Allergy Remedies Compatible with Breastfeeding

  • Natural Remedies.
  • General. Drink lots of water and take hot baths. Run a humidifier. Take in extra vitamin C from foods, juices or in...
  • Head congestion. Boil a pot of water, remove from the stove and (optional) add a few drops of essential oils (for...
  • Chest congestion. Anise steam treatment: Boil a pot of water,...

Breastfeeding and cold sores
Cold sores occur commonly around the time of delivery, so it is important to treat cold sores aggressively to prevent transmission to a newborn baby. Aciclovir cream, aciclovir or valaciclovir
valaciclovir
Pharmacology. Valaciclovir is a prodrug, an esterified version of aciclovir that has greater oral bioavailability (about 55%) than aciclovir. It is converted by esterases to the active drug, aciclovir, and the amino acid valine via hepatic first-pass metabolism.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Valaciclovir
tablets are all considered safe while breastfeeding
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Full Answer

Which cold medicines are safe for breastfeeding?

Yes, some safe cold medicines to take while breastfeeding include:

  • cough & sore throat medicines
  • fever, inflammation and pain medicines during cold or flu
  • pain meds for cold
  • an antibiotic for cold — amoxicillin
  • antihistamines

How do you get a cold sore?

Cold sores are small, fluid-filled blisters which appear on a person’s skin once they have been infected with the herpes simplex virus. Most get exposed to the highly contagious virus when they ...

Why do I keep getting cold sores?

What causes recurrent cold sores?

  • Risk factors. Anyone who has HSV-1 or HSV-2 is at risk of developing cold sores. ...
  • Treatments. A person can take over-the-counter pain medication to reduce any cold sore-related pain. ...
  • Prevention. Stress management may help reduce the frequency of cold sores. ...
  • Summary. Cold sores can be irritating and painful. ...

What cough medications to use during breastfeeding?

Pain relievers

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others)
  • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others)
  • Naproxen (Naprosyn) — short-term use only

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Is it safe to breastfeed with a cold sore?

If you have cold sores, it is safe to breastfeed your baby as long as the cold sores are not on the breast or nipple. If they are, it may be wise to breastfeed from the unaffected nipple only until the lesions have cleared up. You would express and dispose of breastmilk from the affected nipple.

Can cold sores spread through breast milk?

A: Breastfeeding is fine when you have cold sores. The herpes virus is not transmitted through breast milk, but you could infect your baby or infant through skin contact, so follow the precautions above.

Is Zovirax safe while breastfeeding?

Can I breastfeed while taking acyclovir/valacyclovir ? Acyclovir enters breast milk in low amounts. Acyclovir is commonly given to newborns and does not typically cause problems for babies. If you are applying acyclovir cream or ointment directly on your breast, clean the area before nursing.

Is acyclovir OK to take while breastfeeding?

Safe During Breastfeeding There are no side effects associated with taking acyclovir while breastfeeding. Women who apply a topical form of the drug to the skin on the breast should wash the area well before breastfeeding.

Does lysine pass through breast milk?

Lysine is a normal amino acid. There is no evidence that this is a problem for babies via breastmilk.

What to do if you get a cold sore with a newborn?

Experts recommend that you take your infant or child to see their doctor if: Your newborn develops blisters. This is your child's first cold sore, especially if they have chronic skin conditions like eczema or have had problems fighting infections. There are blisters near your child's eyes.

What is the best medicine for cold sores?

Cold sores are often treated with aciclovir cream which is a specific antiviral medication. This is applied to the affected area. It is considered safe at all stages of pregnancy. If the cold sores are severe, aciclovir or valaciclovir tablets may be prescribed by your GP. These medications are also considered safe at all stages of pregnancy. Other medicines are available to treat herpes but there is not sufficient scientific evidence to indicate safety in pregnancy.1 If in doubt, phone MotherSafe for specific medication advice.

Why is herpes treated during pregnancy?

Genital herpes needs to be treated during pregnancy to prevent transmission of the herpes virus to the baby at birth. When this occurs, it is most commonly due to transmission in the birth canal. A primary or initial infection (infection acquired for the first time during pregnancy) has the highest rate of transmission to the baby. Women with recurrent outbreaks of herpes infections have a lower rate of transmission. This is because women with recurrent outbreaks have had time to develop antibodies to the virus. These antibodies transfer across the placenta to the baby and provide some protection.

Can you take acyclovir while breastfeeding?

Most cold sore medications are topical, and shouldn’t be a problem when you’re breastfeeding. Medications such as acyclovir are often used to weaken cold sores or prevent flare-ups from occurring frequently. Multiple studies have found that there are few adverse effects associated with these types of medications taken while nursing.

Can you pass herpes simplex through breast milk?

It’s not possible to pass on the herpes simplex virus through breast milk. However, it is possible in other ways. Even holding a baby when you have a cold sore can be dangerous, especially if you’ve touched the sore with your hands. The virus spreads so easily, and so rapidly, it’s imperative to take extra precautions with a newborn.

How to prevent cold sores in newborn?

The herpes virus that causes cold sores is not transmitted through breast milk, but your baby may get the virus if any part of his body touches your cold sore. Consider covering your cold sore with a surgical mask, bandage or cloth while holding your baby to prevent this from occurring. Avoid touching the sore yourself if possible. If you do touch the cold sore, immediately wash your hands. Do not begin to breastfeed your baby unless your hands are clean and proper precautions have been taken. Also avoid sharing utensils, towels or other items with your baby while your cold sore is present.

What to do if your baby has herpes?

If you believe your baby may have caught the herpes virus from you, call a doctor. This virus can be dangerous to infants, especially those under three months of age. Although unlikely, it can spread to the brain and other organs, possibly causing permanent or fatal damage, according to the medical advisory board of BabyCenter.com 1 ⭐#N#⭐ This is a verified and trusted source#N#BabyCenter.com: Cold Sores#N#Goto Source#N#2 ⭐#N#⭐ This is a verified and trusted source#N#BabyCenter.com: Breastfeeding and Herpes#N#Goto Source#N#. Possible symptoms that your baby has contracted the virus include:

What to do if your baby refuses to eat?

If this occurs, express your breast milk with a breast pump; use a bottle or syringe to give the breast milk to your baby. Call a doctor if your baby refuses to eat at all due to his cold sore. References. BabyCenter.com: Cold Sores. BabyCenter.com: Breastfeeding and Herpes. Drugs.com: Acyclovir Use While Breastfeeding.

How long does it take for a cold to go away while breastfeeding?

Cold and Allergy Remedies Compatible with Breastfeeding. The common cold will usually run its course within 7 to 14 days. There are many natural remedies and over the counter products that are compatible with breastfeeding. Image credit: Jerry Bunker on flickr.

How to get a nursing mom to stop nursing?

General. Rest. Drink lots of water and take hot baths. Run a humidifier. Take in extra vitamin C from foods, juices or in supplement form. Echinacea is generally recognized to be safe for nursing moms. Garlic eaten raw, cooked, or taken as a supplement can help. Raw is always best, though it’s hardest to get down.

How to get rid of a sore throat?

Sore, itchy throat and/or cough. Drink strong black tea (use 2 tea bags per cup). Drink hot lemonade with honey. Or make a mixture of one part lemon juice and two parts honey. Sip throughout the day. Drink fenugreek tea to relieve head and chest congestion and cough.

What to do if your nose is swollen?

Essential Oils: Place a drop or two of either eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil on a cotton ball or handkerchief and hold near the nose while breathing deeply. A couple of cautions: Do not use the oil in the nose – it can cause swelling.

Is zinc good for breastfeeding?

Zinc is considered compatible with breastfeeding, particularly in small amounts (excessive amounts are not a good idea, for mom’s sake rather than baby’s). The amount of systemic absorption of nasal sprays/gels is minimal compared to oral ingestion.

Can you breastfeed with nasal spray?

Nasal sprays are generally considered compatible with breastfeeding. Decongestant nasal sprays are generally for short-term use (3-7 days) only; consult your health care provider and the package instructions for specific information. Of the preparations available for treatment of allergic symptoms, corticosteroid nasal sprays (e.g., Flonase, ...

Is Aleve safe for breastfeeding?

Aleve (Naproxen) is also AAP-approved for nursing mothers, but (per Hale) should be used with caution due to its long half-life and its effect on baby’s cardiovascular system, kidneys and GI tract; short-term, infrequent or occasional use is not necessarily incompatible with breastfeeding.

What is the best medicine for cold sores?

Cold sores are often treated with aciclovir cream, which is a specific antiviral medication. This is applied to the affected area. It is considered safe at all stages of pregnancy. If the cold sores are severe, aciclovir or valaciclovir tablets may be prescribed by your GP. These medications are also considered safe at all stages of pregnancy. Other medicines are available to treat herpes but there is not sufficient scientific evidence to indicate safety in pregnancy.1 If in doubt, phone MotherSafe for specific medication advice.

Why is herpes a problem during pregnancy?

When this occurs, it is most commonly due to transmission in the birth canal. A primary or initial infection (infection acquired for the first time during pregnancy) has the highest rate of transmission to the baby. Women with recurrent outbreaks of herpes infections have a much lower rate of transmission. This is because women with recurrent outbreaks have had time to develop antibodies to the virus. These antibodies transfer across the placenta to the baby and provide some protection.

Can a newborn have herpes?

Herpes can be a serious, life-threatening infection for a newborn. Thus it is important to treat cold sores aggressively to prevent transmission to a newborn baby. Aciclovir cream, aciclovir or

Can cold sores affect unborn babies?

Although cold sores commonly occur during pregnancy, they are generally not thought to affect the unborn baby. Nonetheless, cold sores are uncomfortable and infectious so it is advisable to treat.

What is the best treatment for cold sores?

The most common treatment for cold sores is docosanol (Abreva), an over-the-counter topical cream. But the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t evaluated it for safety in pregnancy. While some research.

What is it called when you pass a cold sore on to a baby?

If you do pass a cold sore infection on to your newborn, it’s known as neonatal herpes. While not as serious as the birth-acquired version, it can still cause serious complications in a baby who hasn’t yet developed a robust immune system.

What is the cause of cold sores?

Cold sores are caused by a virus — the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Of the two types of HSV, cold sores are generally caused by HSV-1, whereas genital herpes is usually a result of exposure to HSV-2. There have been a few instances where HSV-1 sores have been found in the genitals and vice versa.

When to start antiviral treatment for herpes?

If you’ve had herpes in the past, your doctor may recommend antivirals — like acyclovir or valacyclovir — starting at week 36 and continuing until delivery of your baby, even if you don’t have a current outbreak of lesions around the genital area.

Can you get cold sores while pregnant?

What You Should Know About Cold Sores During Pregnancy. If you’ve ever had cold sores — those annoying, painful, tiny, fluid-filled blisters that usually form around your mouth and on your lips — you know how inconvenient they can be. But also if you’ve ever had cold sores (and therefore already have the virus that causes them), ...

Can a cold sore on your mouth be a sign of a baby?

The cold sore on your mouth is likely to be more of an annoyance to you than a serious risk to your developing baby, particularly in your first two trimesters of pregnancy and especially if you’ve had one before. But you should still let your OB know about it. The virus that causes cold sores — usually HSV-1 — can also cause genital herpes, ...

Can cold sores cross the placenta?

Cold sores are a localized infection, usually around the mouth area. They don’t typically cross the placenta and reach your baby. scenario is if you get HSV for the first time during your third trimester of pregnancy. When you get the virus for the first time, your body hasn’t developed any protective antibodies to it yet.

How to cure a sore throat from breastfeeding?

Many natural remedies for a sore throat are compatible with breastfeeding. A few of them are: Salt water gargle: This is a simple yet efficient treatment. Dissolve two teaspoons of salt in a cup of hot water, gargle and spit.

What is the best treatment for breast feeding?

Treatments compatible with breastfeeding are: Over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen for relief from temperature and general aches. Anesthetic throat sweets or throat sprays for relieving pain. Throat rinses can also be helpful.

How to help a baby with a sore throat?

Ventilate your home, keep it dust and smoke-free. Sleep well and practice voice rest to reduce your discomfort. Avoid sharing utensils with your baby. A sore throat is a common ailment, and will not harm your child if you are breastfeeding him during this time.

What are the symptoms of a sore throat?

Symptoms Of Sore Throat. A sore throat can be accompanied by tender glands in your neck and throat, swollen tonsils (tonsillitis), and pain while swallowing. You may also have a headache, temperature, pains, and general aches.

How to get rid of a dry throat?

All these help in keeping the throat moist and giving a demulcent effect. Steam inhalation: Regular steam inhalation can relieve dryness and nasal congestion. You may have it with menthol crystals. Water and apple-cider vinegar gargle: Mix two tablespoons vinegar in a glass of water. You may add more vinegar if needed.

How to tell if throat is sore?

Symptoms indicate that your throat is sore. In case you seek medical advice, the doctor performs a physical examination of the throat, nasal and ear passages. He will look for the signs of swollen glands in the neck or jaw.

What happens to antibodies in the mother's body?

The antibodies produced by the mother’s body, in response to illness, can be transferred to the baby and prevent the little one from falling sick. Even if he gets sick, you would be happy to see that he is not as sick as you were, thanks to the breast milk (1).

Why should a baby be breastfed?

The baby should be breastfed to get the immune factors present in the milk that will help protect his mucous membranes from invasion by the virus. For more information about symptoms and treatments see Chickenpox and Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding Network, 2019.

How old can a baby be with herpes?

Herpes can be very dangerous and life threatening for a newborn baby up to three weeks of age. A mother should speak to her healthcare provider for the latest recommendations and precautions if she has a very young baby and suspects she has herpes or has recurrent herpes. 4

Can chicken pox be treated with breast milk?

Exposure to these [shingles] lesions can result in chicken pox (varicella zoster) in unimmunized infants. In most situations, it should be treated similarly to a Herpes simplex infection and women should not breastfeed or use expressed breast milk from an affected breast until the lesions have healed.

Can breastfeeding be interrupted with herpes?

The risk of viral transmission via breast milk is very low. In nursing mothers with herpes , breastfeeding should not be interrupted, except when the herpetic vesicles are located on the breasts. Active lesions in other body parts should be covered, and the nursing mother’s hygiene should not be overlooked so that breastfeeding can be maintained.

Can you get herpes from breast milk?

The risk of catching herpes from breast milk is very low. Authors Wambach & Spencer state it is “doubtful” that HSV infection can be transmitted via human milk. Transmission during lactation is more likely to occur with direct contact with an active lesion or blister. 12.

Can a baby touch a herpes sore?

As these viruses are spread by simply touching the sores, it is important that your baby doesn’ t come into skin-to-skin contact with any of the herpes lesions. Sores should be completely covered so the baby cannot touch them. 2

Can milk be expressed without a sore?

If this milk can be expressed without it coming into any contact with a herpes sore (or any breast pump part or hand that has been in contact with a sore), the expressed milk can be given to the baby. However if the milk has been in contact with a sore it should be thrown away (Mohrbacher, 2020, p731).

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Treatment

Interactions

  • Many people use medications, such as acyclovir, to treat or prevent cold sores. No adverse side effects of babies of mothers who have used this medication while breastfeeding have been reported; these medications are believed to be safe for breastfeeding women when used as directed 3⭐⭐This is a verified and trusted source Goto Source . However, res...
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Prevention

Usage

Description

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The common cold will usually run its course within 7 to 14 days. There are many natural remedies and over the counter products that are compatible with breastfeeding. Of the preparations available for treatment of allergic symptoms, corticosteroid nasal sprays (e.g., Flonase, Nasacort, etc.) and cromolyn sodium n
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Contraindications

  • Both Advil/Motrin (Ibuprofen) and Tylenol (Acetaminophen) are considered compatible with breastfeeding.
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Chemistry

  • Aspirin use is discouraged in children due to the risk of Reyes syndrome. Although the risk is probably low, it is also discouraged in nursing mothers because of the potential risk of Reyes syndrome and bleeding. If you do take pseudoephedrine and notice a drop in milk supply (many moms do not, but research shows that it can decrease milk supply by as much as 24%), simply s…
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Risks

  • Decongestant nasal sprays are generally for short-term use (3-7 days) only; consult your health care provider and the package instructions for specific information.
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