Herpes is an
infection that is caused by a herpes simplex virus (HSV). Oral herpes causes
sores around the mouth or face. Genital herpes affects the genitals, buttocks
or anal area. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It
affects the genitals, buttocks or anal area. Other herpes infections can affect
the eyes, skin, or other parts of the body. The virus can be dangerous in
newborn babies or in people with weak immune systems.
There are
two types of HSV:
HSV type 1
most commonly causes cold sores. It can also cause genital herpes.
HSV type 2
is the usual cause of genital herpes, but it also can infect the mouth.
HSV spreads
through direct contact. Some people have no symptoms. Others get sores near the
area where the virus has entered the body. They turn into blisters, become
itchy and painful, and then heal.
Sign and
Symptoms
Many people
who get the virus that causes herpes never see or feel anything. If signs (what
you see) or symptoms (what you feel) occur, a person may experience:
Tingling,
itching, or burning: Before the blisters appear, the skin may tingle, itch, or
burn for a day or so.
Sores: One
or more painful, fluid-filled blisters may appear. Blisters break open and
often ooze fluid and form a crust, before healing. The first time sores appear,
they will show up between 2 and 20 days after a person has contact with an
infected person. The sores can last from 7 to 10 days. Where the sores appear
often varies with type:
Oral herpes
(HSV-1): Most blisters appear on the lips or around the mouth. Sometimes
blisters form on the face or on the tongue. Although these are the most common
places to find oral herpes, the sores can appear anywhere on the skin.
Genital
herpes (HSV-2): Sores typically occur on the penis, vagina, buttocks, or anus.
Women can have sores inside the vagina. Like oral herpes, these sores can
appear anywhere on the skin.
Flu-like
symptoms. Fever, muscle aches, or swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck
(oral herpes) or groin (genital herpes) are possible.
Problems
urinating. People (most often women) with genital herpes may have trouble
urinating or have a burning feeling while urinating.
An eye
infection (herpes keratitis). Sometimes the herpes simplex virus can spread to
one or both eyes. If this happens, you can have pain, light sensitivity,
discharge, and a gritty feeling in the eye. Without prompt treatment, scarring
of the eye may result. Scarring can lead to cloudy vision and even loss of
vision.
If you
develop signs and symptoms of herpes simplex, you can expect to have these for
as long as listed below:
Oral (mouth)
herpes: 2 to 3 weeks
Genital
herpes: 2 to 6 weeks (the first outbreak)
Remedies for
Herpes
Can you
treat herpes at home? Well, yes! Here are some easy and quick natural remedies
for herpes outbreak. Take a look.
1. Olive Oil
Olive oil is
known for moisturizing the skin. It is rich in anti-oxidants and is one of the
best home remedies for herpes sores. Take one cup of olive oil. Heat it in a
pot and add some lavender oil and bee wax in it. Let the mixture cool down.
After cooling, apply the mixture on the infected area.
2. Echinacea
Echinacea is
a medicinal plant and has anti-viral properties. It is known for enhancing the
immune system. All parts of Echinacea plant, namely flowers, leaves, and roots
can be used for healing herpes. It can be consumed in the form of tea, juices,
or pills.
3. Ice Pack
The simplest
method at home to cure the herpes is ice. Ice provides immense relief in herpes
pain. Take some ice and crush them. Fill the crushed ice in a plastic bag. Wrap
the plastic bag in a sheet-like thick cloth. Place it on the sores for 10-15
minutes to get rid of swelling and itching. Repeat the method for multiple times
in a day.
Note- Long
exposure of genital parts to ice can damage the tissues.
4. Baking
Soda
Baking soda
is an effective treatment for getting rid of herpes fast. It provides relief in
the itchy and painful sores. Take a cotton ball and damp it in baking soda.
Apply it directly on the infected area. It helps to dry out the oozing
blisters.
Note- In
order to avoid contamination, don’t re-dip the cotton ball in baking soda.
5. Tea Tree
Oil
To heal the
herpes sores outbreak, tea tree oil is a useful remedy. Take some water in a
glass. Add few drops of tea tree oil and gargle to remove ulcers from mouth.
For genital herpes, use an eye-dropper to put drops on the infected area.
6. Lemon
Balm
Lemon balm
is one of the most effective herbal remedies for herpes. It has flavonoids,
phenolic acid, and rosmarinic acid, which helps in healing the sores or
blisters. Prepare a lemon balm tea. Let it steep for some time. Then, soak a
cotton ball in it and apply directly on the sores.
Add 2-3 ml
of lemon balm tincture in water. Stir it well and drink. This alcohol-based
liquid extract is effective for sores. Drink the solution thrice a day.
Lemon balm
is also available in the form of creams and ointments. Apply the cream directly
to heal the herpes.
7. Licorice
Roots
Licorice
roots consist of therapeutic properties, which are helpful for the treatment of
herpes infection. Licorice has glycyrrhizic acid, which fights against the
herpes virus. For the treatment of herpes, the extracts of licorice roots can
be effective.
Alternatively,
intake 2 capsules of the extracts of the roots of licorice.
Note-
Excessive use of licorice may result in hypertension and lowering of potassium.
So, individuals suffering from heart problems and pregnant women should avoid
the intake of licorice.
8. Tea Bags
Black tea is
highly rich in tannin. It is known for anti-viral and anti-inflammatory
properties. Prepare a cup of black tea with the help of tea bag. Allow it to
cool down. After cooling, apply the tea bag on the infected area. Leave it for
5 minutes on the sores. For best results, repeat the process twice or thrice a
day.
9.
Cornstarch
One of the
best remedies for herpes is cornstarch. Cornstarch helps in absorbing excessive
moisture from the skin. It helps in reducing chafing and itching. To dry the
herpes sores, apply some cornstarch directly on the infected area. Take a
cotton ball and dip it in the cornstarch. Dab it gently on the sores.
Note: To
circumvent contamination, do not put used cotton ball again in the clean
cornstarch.
10. Aloe
Vera Gel
Aloe vera is
the best remedy with its natural healing properties. It can be effective for
herpes blisters. To soothe the itching and redness, pure aloe vera gel should
be used on sores.
Else, take a
fresh leaf of aloe vera. Cut it into two halves. Apply one of the gelled parts
directly on the infected area.
11. Epsom
Salt
Bathing with
Epsom salt water is the best remedy to soothe the itching and pain in herpes.
Add some Epsom salt in warm bathing water. Take a bath from it. This remedy
makes the sores dry, thereby reducing itching.
You can also
add some salt in the bath tub. Soak herpes infected area in the water. Allow it
to dry and then, take a shower.
12. Domeboro
Powder
Domeboro
powder can be used for healing the herpes infection. It can be used on the
sores in the form of compress or wet dressing. The powder helps in soothing the
irritated and itchy skin. All you need to do is to mix one packet of domeboro
powder in water as per the directions given on the packet. Now, dip a piece of
clean cloth in the solution. Apply the cloth directly on the infected area.
13. Lysine
One of the
other natural remedies for herpes is lysine. It is a kind of amino acids that
is found in foods, including milk, brewer’s yeast, cheeses, chicken, etc. It is
known for reducing herpes outbreak.
Lysine cream
is also available in the market. It can be applied on the infected areas.
14. Black
Coffee
Herpes virus
infects not only genital parts, but also lips, mouth, etc. Black coffee is one
of the best remedies to treat them. Blisters in the mouth cause severe pain. To
treat them fast, you are required to prepare black coffee. Let it cool down and
take a sip. Hold it in the mouth for some time. Move it onto the lips as well.
For best results, repeat the process twice a day.
15. Soap and
Warm Water
Soaking the
herpes sore in warm water surely relieves the pain and itching. To keep the
affected area infection-free and clean, use soap.
Note- Don’t
forget to dry your genital parts with a clean towel. Do not share bath tub with
an infected person.
16. Herbal
Tea
Herbal tea
is an effective solution for avoiding any type of skin diseases. For treating
pain and itching arising due to herpes, herbal teas, like lemon, ginger,
cinnamon, and chamomile are very effective.
17. Manuka
Honey
Manuka honey
has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. It helps in quick healing of
herpes blisters and cold sores. You just need to apply some manuka honey
directly on the infected area.
18.
Over-the-counter Medicines
Pain
relievers or over-the-counter analgesics are useful in relieving the aching
herpes outburst. Some of the OTC medications include ibuprofen, acetaminophen,
and aspirin. To treat herpes sores, some ointments, like propolis, can also be
applied on the infected area.
19. Natural
Oils
Natural oils
are effective in relieving the herpes ache and itching. Olive, jojoba, tea
tree, vitamin E, camellia, and calendula oils are known for fighting against
the virus. You just need to apply any of the natural oil or mixture of some
oils on the infected area, gently. This will heal the infected skin.
20.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal
is another natural treatment for herpes. Take some walnut hull powder and add
Echinacea and goldenseal in it. Stir it well to make a paste. Apply the paste
on the infected area. Goldenseal is also available in pills, tincture, salve,
and bulk powder.
21. Oregano
Oil
Oregano oil,
with its anti-viral properties, helps in the speedy recovery of herpes
blisters. You just need to apply some oregano oil directly on the infected
area.
REMEMBER
Apply
medicine that you can buy without a prescription, such as benzocaine and
L-lysine, to the blisters.
Put ice on
the blisters.
Avoid things
that could trigger another outbreak, such as stress and getting a sunburn.
Avoid
spreading the virus
The
following may reduce the risk of spreading the herpes simplex virus:
Oral herpes
(herpes simplex type 1)
If you have
sores on your face:
Do not kiss
anyone.
Do not have
oral sex.
Do not share
items such as silverware, cups, towels, and lip balms.
If you have
tingling, burning, itching, or tenderness where you had a herpes sore, keep
that area of your body away from others.
You can
prevent spreading the sores to other parts of your body by:
Washing your
hands after touching a cold sore.
Using a
cotton-tip swab to apply herpes medicine to a cold sore also helps.
Genital
herpes (herpes simplex type 2)
When you
have sores or symptoms do not have sex with uninfected partners.
If you do
not have sores or symptoms, use a latex condom to lower the risk of spreading
the virus. You should know that even with a condom, it is possible to spread
the virus if it lies on nearby skin that the condom does not cover.
If you are
pregnant tell your doctor if you or your partner has genital herpes. You may
need to take medicine at the end of your pregnancy to prevent passing the virus
to your baby.A