Nips and lips, any tips?
My doctor is now pretty sure that I’m just a variant on normal. It took us until around 3:00 this afternoon to find this out, despite several calls to the office. Still, I’m happy that I’m most likely normal.
When the bleeding first started, I just assumed it was dry skin. Then it seemed to get a little heavier and my mom didn’t think it was normal. We also couldn’t find anything about it on the internet. Then, when the doctor said to come in early and also see a specialist, my worrying superpowers went into overdrive.
Those superpowers cause my lips to swell to obscene proportions, turn a lovely shade of purple (it really is a pretty color) and then start blistering. They will probably be pretty painful for at least a week.
It’s happened before during a stressful time - concerned about having LASIK and having a bad haircut that Bob was not sympathetic to. The LASIK went swimmingly, and my hair finally grew out after about a year. I took prescription Valtrex, because apparently the swelling and blistering are caused by cold sores.
The doctor gave me a prescription for Valtrex on Monday, and said it was fine to take it, but I’m worried. If it’s strong enough to kill a virus, what could it do to Little Elvis? I’m thinking I would rather be in pain for a week than hurt him. So I’m going to try and tough it out.
This means that today, I look like a pouting fish at work. My co-workers keep asking what’s wrong and I just say my lips are infected. They don’t need to know the craziness.
Any good advice on natural ways to handle the burning, stinging sensation around my lips?
When the bleeding first started, I just assumed it was dry skin. Then it seemed to get a little heavier and my mom didn’t think it was normal. We also couldn’t find anything about it on the internet. Then, when the doctor said to come in early and also see a specialist, my worrying superpowers went into overdrive.
Those superpowers cause my lips to swell to obscene proportions, turn a lovely shade of purple (it really is a pretty color) and then start blistering. They will probably be pretty painful for at least a week.
It’s happened before during a stressful time - concerned about having LASIK and having a bad haircut that Bob was not sympathetic to. The LASIK went swimmingly, and my hair finally grew out after about a year. I took prescription Valtrex, because apparently the swelling and blistering are caused by cold sores.
The doctor gave me a prescription for Valtrex on Monday, and said it was fine to take it, but I’m worried. If it’s strong enough to kill a virus, what could it do to Little Elvis? I’m thinking I would rather be in pain for a week than hurt him. So I’m going to try and tough it out.
This means that today, I look like a pouting fish at work. My co-workers keep asking what’s wrong and I just say my lips are infected. They don’t need to know the craziness.
Any good advice on natural ways to handle the burning, stinging sensation around my lips?
posted by Pregnantly Plump at 10:07 PM
5 Comments:
Hmmm... I don't experience stress in my lips :-)...however, if chapstick is the type of thing that helps give temporary relief, you might try a brand called "Un-petroleum" from Avalon Products. You can buy it at Whole Foods. I don't mean to sound like an advertisement but it's so amazing! Once I put it on my lips, I almost immediately misplace the tube: unlike Chapstick brand, you don't need to reapply ever 10 minutes!
Thanks for the advice. I live right by Whole Foods, so I'll have to go by tonight and get one. I'm trying to go the more natural route right now.
Hi: I too have bad cold sores, especially when I am stressed. I found that exposure to the sun is a huge culprit, and will definitely make things worse. Some pregnant women tend to "sunburn" worse than before, including on the lips. Try wearing a gentle lip balm with sunscreen. Valtrex is scary, and I agree with your decision not to take it. Instead, do what you have to do to minimize your stress, your baby's health is way more important!!
I happened upon your blog from a friend of a friend, but I usually treat cold sores caused by stress by increasing acidopholis. Get the refrigerated kind at Whole Foods as well, and when you are at home you can spread plain yogurt on your lips. Looks funny, but it will help.
~Shawna Lee
http://shooflypieandgrits.blogspirit.com
Thanks for all the advice. They are finally almost cleared up and the acidophilus milk I bought definitely eases what's left of the pain!
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