Scars after lip herpes
Many sufferers worry about whether lip herpes can leave scars. However, lip herpes usually heals without scarring. In some cases, small pink patches can be found on the lips after the cold sore has healed.
These are not scars either. They also heal without consequences within several weeks. Only scratching open the blisters can cause scars.
Infections are particularly feared during pregnancy, but the all-clear can be given in the case of lip herpes. If the mother has cold sores during pregnancy, there is no danger for the unborn child. Unlike other infections, there is no risk of malformation or developmental disorders, nor is there an increased risk of premature birth or miscarriage.
In very rare cases, however, the herpes simplex 1 virus, which usually causes cold sores, can also cause genital herpes. Transmission occurs mainly through oral sex. Genital herpes can pose an obstetric risk and is therefore treated with antiviral drugs, even during pregnancy.
In some cases, a Caesarean section may even be necessary.
- Zovirax® during pregnancy
- Skin rash during pregnancy
Lip herpes is usually a harmless disease, but for babies, lip herpes can also be very dangerous. Newborns do not yet have such a mature immune system as adults or older children, and should therefore be protected from infection with herpes.
Especially in the first six weeks of life, herpes can lead to complications such as meningitis or blood poisoning (sepsis). Although this is only very rarely the case, it should be taken into account. Babies receive antibodies from their mother, if she is already infected with herpes, during pregnancy, which provide some protection after birth.
This is also called borrowed immunity. However, this protection is not 100% certain, which is why, in the case of symptomatic lip herpes, care should be taken to ensure that the child does not come into contact with the virus. Frequent hand washing, no kissing of the child and a mouth guard when breastfeeding are mandatory.
Herpes can lead to severe impairment in babies. These include infections of the conjunctiva and inflammation of the oral mucosa, as well as meningitis, encephalitis and an infestation of other organs. At the first signs of infection, however, antiviral therapy is quickly initiated.
