It is possible to quickly cure herpes with the help of the latest developments in drugs containing antiviral substances. The drugs are available in tablets and soft dosage form. Before starting therapy, it is important to consider existing contraindications for use and the risk of side effects.
It is possible to quickly cure herpes with the help of the latest developments in drugs containing antiviral substances.
How to treat herpes
The localization of the characteristic rash on different parts of the skin and mucous membrane of organs depends on the herpes virus.
The pathology is incurable, but it is possible to reduce the intensity of painful symptoms and shorten the recovery time during the period of repeated exacerbation with the help of medications.
On the face
For the labial form of a viral infection, it is sufficient to use an ointment containing acyclovir for external treatment of the vesicles.
Traditional medicine, the therapeutic effect of which is to cauterize the blisters, will help get rid of the symptoms.
To avoid secondary infection, water-based antiseptics are used.
With frequent relapses of the disease against the background of a short remission, doctors recommend strengthening the immune system. In most cases, the use of vitamins B and C is necessary. Taking immunomodulators is allowed.
For the labial form of a viral infection, it is sufficient to use an ointment containing acyclovir for external treatment of the vesicles.
On the body
It is necessary to prevent the spread of infection to unprotected areas of the skin. For this purpose, agents with a bactericidal effect are prescribed.
Taking antiviral tablets is optional in this case.
If we are talking about herpes zoster, then doctors can prescribe medications that have an analgesic effect, since the pathology is accompanied by intense pain.
Additionally, it is important to follow the principles of dietary nutrition, which will speed up the healing process.
Genital organs
When treating a viral infection in the intimate area, it is important to exclude the presence of concomitant sexually transmitted diseases.
You should fight the virus at the cellular level (use tablets), and also lubricate the rash with antiherpetic ointment.
For frequent relapses, immunomodulators should be taken.
Sometimes a consultation with a psychotherapist is required, since repeated exacerbation can provoke excessive nervous tension. In this case, the doctor prescribes sedatives.
Vesicles on the mucous membrane should not be treated to avoid burns.
Where does herpes come from?
The answer to the question of where herpes on the lips comes from is quite simple. This phenomenon is the result of infection with the herpes virus. Numerous medical studies indicate that more than 90% of the world's population are carriers of this virus. But in most cases, the virus, living in the human body, does not make itself felt in any way.
However, when the immune system is weakened, the virus becomes more active, causing rashes to appear. For this reason, this disease is popularly called a “cold”, since it often comes with symptoms such as sore throat, cough and runny nose. In addition, stressful situations, constant fatigue and lack of sleep can lead to the appearance of herpes on the lips. By the way, many women have noticed that the virus “wakes up” during menstruation.
As a rule, infection with the virus occurs through contact, and in more rare cases, through airborne droplets. Infection can occur during direct contact with a carrier of herpes (for example, through kissing), or through household items - dishes, cutlery, towels, etc.
It often happens that a newborn baby becomes infected with the herpes virus from the mother during passage through the birth canal. Herpes is a very tenacious virus. Not a single person is safe from infection with it. We can say that infection can occur anytime and anywhere.
Peculiarities
Treatment of herpes should be comprehensive. The causes of a blistering rash are in most cases a weakened immune system.
Therefore, taking antiviral drugs is not enough to achieve a long-term therapeutic effect.
It is necessary to fight the infection after consulting a doctor, who takes into account the patient’s age and the severity of the inflammatory process in the body.
In adults
First aid consists of using medications at the initial stage of development of the disease. For extensive skin lesions, ozone therapy is recommended.
For extensive lesions of the skin with herpes, ozone therapy is recommended.
Taking pills for herpes requires the use of drugs containing lactobacilli to restore healthy intestinal microflora. Before starting treatment, it is necessary to exclude organic intolerance to the active substances.
If the virus cells are highly resistant to acyclovir, it is recommended to use medications that contain valacyclovir or penciclovir.
In case of liver failure and renal dysfunction, antiviral tablets should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor.
It is important to abstain from sexual intercourse during the period of herpes therapy, especially if we are talking about the genital form. Women are recommended to use lactobacilli-based suppositories for intravaginal use to avoid bacterial vaginosis, since this pathology often develops against the background of activation of genital herpes.
In children
There are a number of such features:
- the dose of the antiviral drug is determined at the rate of 10 mg of active substance per 1 kg of child’s body weight;
- in most cases, topical ointments are used, since the risk of unwanted reactions of the body is minimal.
It will be possible to remove the symptoms of herpes in a pregnant woman with the help of ointments.
In pregnant women
Symptoms can be relieved with ointments. The use of tablets is allowed only in the 3rd trimester if the benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.
It is not always enough to apply antiherpetic cream to the affected area. Therefore, if complications arise, the doctor may recommend hyperbaric oxygenation, which consists of increasing the amount of oxygen in the tissues when filling with gas in a pressure chamber.
To eliminate the inflammatory process, it is recommended to drink tea based on mint and chamomile.
Symptoms of the disease
Herpes on the lips is very difficult to confuse with anything - its symptoms are too specific. The first thing a person feels is a slight burning sensation of the skin on the lip, and then a fairly strong itching appears. After another couple of hours, the skin acquires a characteristic reddish tint and slight swelling appears. As the disease progresses, the affected area swells more and more and eventually several blisters with watery contents form. Itching of the skin is replaced by painful sensations, and not only the blister hurts, but also the skin around it.
After a few days, the bubbles merge into one large one, and then the liquid begins to ooze. After about a week, the abscess will begin to dry out and heal. A crust forms on its surface, which should fall off on its own. Under no circumstances should you rip them off, because there is a risk of infection of the wound. In this case, the situation will become more serious and you will need completely different treatment. Yes, and you may end up with ugly scars, which is also of no use to you. Symptoms of herpes always occur exactly in the described sequence.
In most cases, herpes on the lips is accompanied by a deterioration in overall health - signs of illness such as weakness, headache, and increased body temperature appear. How severe these symptoms will be depends entirely on the state of your immune system. The more it is weakened, the worse you will feel. There are often cases when simple herpes on the lips becomes the reason for issuing a sick leave - this is how much a person’s health suffers.
How to treat
It is possible to eliminate painful symptoms with the help of both medications and traditional medicine. But the frequency, exact dosage and duration of the therapeutic effect are determined by the doctor.
Antiviral drugs
Effective treatment of herpes is carried out using the following medications:
- Acyclovir (Gerpevir and Zovirax) destroys the membrane of viral cells, inhibiting the growth of their number. In most cases, the use of the drug does not cause negative consequences.
- Vivorax is recommended for patients with severe forms of the disease.
- Valtrex has better absorption, which allows for positive dynamics of clinical symptoms to be achieved in a shorter time compared to Acyclovir.
- Famvir is a highly toxic medication and is therefore prescribed with great caution.
Famvir is a highly toxic medication, so it is prescribed with great caution to people who want to overcome herpes.
Antiseptics
These include the following drugs:
- Betadine 10% solution. Useful for chicken pox. The product is used for external treatment of blistering rash. The solution can be used undiluted.
- Furacilin solution. Has a bactericidal effect. Prescribed for purulent forms of chickenpox in children.
Immunomodulators
Modern treatment methods involve taking medications that increase the body’s natural resistance:
- Cycloferon. The medicine will help if you start therapy at the stage of itching sensations appearing at the site of future rashes.
- Amiksin. This remedy fights colds of viral etiology. Used for herpesvirus that affects the lips and oral mucosa.
- Immunal. The medicine is made on the basis of plant components. Before starting to take the tablets, organic intolerance to echinacea should be ruled out.
Cycloferon will help if you start therapy at the stage of itching sensations at the site of future rashes.
Folk remedies
There are the following standards for treating the disease at home:
- Using toothpaste for labial herpes. The disease goes away within 2-3 days.
- Kalanchoe juice has an antiviral effect. They are recommended to lubricate the vesicles even in the genital mucosa area.
- Aloe juice is recommended to relieve severe itching.
- Crushed garlic should be used to treat blistering rashes only in the lip area. To speed up tissue regeneration processes, it is allowed to add 5 g of honey to the garlic pulp.
Why does herpes appear on the body?
Symptoms of the disease are not obvious, since blistering elements form on the internal organs:
- Larynx.
- Trachea.
- Lungs.
- Liver.
- Esophagus.
- Bladder.
- Urethral canal.
- Vaginal walls.
The most common forms of internal herpes are herpetic pneumonia, hepatitis and esophagitis.
Herpetic esophagitis is an inflammation of the inner lining of the esophagus. A person experiences pain when swallowing and discomfort behind the sternum. Digestive disorders lead to weight loss. Instrumental examination shows erosive areas that are dangerous due to loosening of the esophageal mucosa. In an advanced state, herpes reaches the walls of the intestinal tract.
Herpes pneumonia is manifested by symptoms such as:
- Cough.
- Dyspnea.
- Hyperthermia.
The patient complains of chest pain, malaise and difficulty breathing. Herpetic pneumonia has a blurred clinical picture, because occurs against the background of other respiratory system infections.
Herpetic hepatitis occurs with reduced immunity. Its symptoms are similar to those of other liver diseases.
A clear sign of herpes viral hepatitis is jaundice. The condition is characterized by an increase in bilirubin levels and an external yellowing of the skin.
At the beginning of the development of the disease, the following symptoms are noted:
Why is the herpes virus dangerous?
If childhood chickenpox passes quickly and without consequences, then in adult women, herpetic lesions of the genital organs cause persistent itching in the groin and vagina, erosion of the cervix and mucous discharge.
For expectant mothers, herpes is dangerous due to pregnancy failure in the early stages - infection of the embryo leads to spontaneous abortion.
Many people quite often see ugly pimples on their lips called herpes. This problem is quite unpleasant, since these pimples cause a burning sensation and itching, look very unsightly, and are almost impossible to disguise with the help of cosmetics.
If you don’t figure out where herpes comes from in time, it will appear more and more often. Why does herpes appear on the lips? And how to get rid of this problem once and for all?
Diet
Necessary:
- exclude fatty and spicy foods from the diet;
- give up confectionery and sweet carbonated water;
- strengthen the drinking regime;
- eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, but the amount of citrus fruits you consume must be limited.
For a speedy recovery, you should strengthen your drinking regime.
Typical Locations
To know which areas of the body herpes affects, you need to know the properties of all 8 types of pathogen.
- Type 1 – herpes simplex virus.
The greatest interest is caused by the type 1 virus, the largest among all known. The number of HSV-1 carriers is many times higher than all others. Popularly, manifestations of the first type of virus are called colds on the lips, since an exacerbation provokes the appearance of bubbles near the mouth, possibly on the face. Typical areas for blisters are the nose, lips and cheeks.
It is dangerous because it most likely affects the conjunctiva of the eyes and the skin around them. This condition can cause a serious complication of ophthalmoherpes - an exacerbation of this process threatens vision impairment, up to its complete loss.
- Type 2 – genital herpes.
Herpes of the second strain is characterized by damage to the genitals of an infected person, which is why it received the name genital. A latent form is often observed, without any symptoms, but in most cases the disease causes a herpetic rash in the groin area (genitals and buttocks).
In men, it manifests itself as a papular rash on the head and body of the penis, as well as from the inside of the foreskin. In this case, the bubbles that appear can cause an unpleasant feeling of itching and burning, enlargement of regional lymph nodes and pain during urination. There is a high risk of developing cystitis.
In women, HSV-2 is localized mainly on the external genital organs (labia majora and minora), but on the internal ones, it can affect (vagina and cervix). In such a case, the formation will look like a weeping ulcer, with a long healing period and severe pain, especially against the background of mechanical impact.
The appearance of the two types of herpes described above is not limited to their typical locations. This is explained by the possibility of cross-infection (a striking example is oral sex). After such actions, the rash that appears after infection with herpes type 2 can cause blisters on the lips or in the oral cavity. Likewise, and vice versa, herpes of the first type is manifested by a rash in the genital area.
- Type 3 – varicella zoster virus (infantile chickenpox), in case of relapse it manifests itself as shingles.
This type of pathogen causes such a well-known disease as chickenpox. Many people encountered it in childhood, so it is not very rare.
Chickenpox is characterized by several forms: mild and severe. The disease occurs with manifestations of weakness, fever, blistering rash on the skin with its characteristic periodic addition of new papules over several days. After remission, the virus remains in the child’s body for life, and lifelong immunity is developed.
But, immunity is able to prevent the chickenpox scenario, and if, for some reason, a decrease in immunity occurs, and the virus manages to become more active in a new way, while being in the nervous system, it will cause the development of a process such as herpes zoster.
Visually, the blisters are located along the intercostal nerves (on the body this manifests itself in the form of papules on the chest, which cover the skin in the intercostal space, sometimes herpes is observed under the armpit, or, conversely, in the back and abdomen), and in many patients the disease progresses with severe attacks of pain. Sometimes the pain can be so intense that patients simply scream from it until the doctor performs a blockade. Against this background, damage to the peripheral nervous system by the virus is often observed. The duration of shingles is 3-4 weeks, after which repeated manifestations are possible.
- Type 4 – Epstein-Barr virus.
Penetrating into the body, type 4 herpesvirus causes a number of dangerous pathologies, among which infectious mononucleosis and Burkitt's lymphoma stand out.
Infectious mononucleosis, or as it is also called “Kissing Disease,” is an extremely contagious infection that is transmitted through saliva, during oral sex, during handshakes, and through any contaminated objects. The incubation period of the disease is 1 month, after which clear symptoms develop: chills, fever, signs of sore throat, pharyngitis and enlargement of some internal organs (liver, spleen). A herpetic rash can be localized on any part of the body, but it occurs in parallel with jaundice.
This illness lasts from several weeks to several months, after which it goes away without a trace.
Burkitt's lymphoma is a type of malignant tumor that has a herpetic etiology and appears regardless of age, but children from African countries are at increased risk. It has an acute onset in the form of a tumor in the ovaries, lymph nodes, kidneys, etc. The high rate of death is due to the rapid growth of the tumor, which also metastasizes and disrupts the functioning of the affected organ and nearby tissues.
- Type 5 – cytomegalovirus.
Prevention
It is impossible to cure herpes forever, but there are ways to prevent infection or re-exacerbation of the disease:
- to live an active lifestyle;
- follow a sleep and nutrition schedule;
- avoid casual sex;
- do not use other people's hygiene products;
- diversify the menu with fermented milk products;
- do not overcool or overheat in the sun;
- promptly treat concomitant chronic diseases;
- reduce the number of sources of stress.
Do not self-medicate to avoid complications.
Where does herpes not occur?
Almost all infected people or those simply interested ask the question “where can herpes be?” and “where doesn’t it happen?” The doctors' answer is not reassuring, since it is always the same - the herpes virus can be anywhere, and there is no place that it cannot infect. Infection and the presence of certain conditions allow the pathogen to spread unhindered throughout the body, entering the bloodstream and many organs, including the nervous system and even the brain.
The manifestation of each type of herpes, the chances of its recurrence and the development of complications largely depend on the state of the immune system. After all, if the body weakens, it loses the ability to control herpes, and it, in turn, begins to exhibit all the negative properties. Therefore, every person must take care of their immunity so that the virus remains in a latent form all the time and does not cause any inconvenience.
Herpes simplex is one of the most pressing problems in modern medicine. This is due to the high infection rate of the planet's population with the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which reaches 95-97%, its widespread distribution, the steady increase in the incidence of herpes simplex, the variety of clinical manifestations, and the psycho-emotional lability of patients. Having settled in the human body, the virus remains in it forever, because drugs have not yet been found that can completely destroy it
