Almost everyone is familiar with a “cold” on the lips. As soon as you catch a runny nose or get nervous, an unpleasant harbinger immediately appears - a tingling sensation somewhere around the mouth.
The herpes simplex virus is present in the body of 95% of people. And only a few have immunity, the reasons for which are still unclear.
The virus enters the body in early childhood: at 3–4 years, when the antibodies against the herpes virus transmitted to the baby by the mother are depleted. Most often, infection occurs if a child is kissed by carriers of the infection. In addition to a kiss, the virus can enter the body, for example, with saliva. It penetrates the mucous membranes, reaches the nerve endings, rises into the cranial cavity, where it “hides” in a nerve plexus called the trigeminal ganglion and “sleeps” there until it is reactivated.
Herpes “wakes up” when immunity decreases
Causes of recurrence of herpes on the lips: stress or emotional distress; various other diseases, in particular colds, flu, diabetes, HIV; poisoning or intoxication; drinking alcohol, caffeine and smoking; excessive ultraviolet radiation; hypothermia or overheating; onset of menstruation; overwork and exhaustion; poor nutrition/diet or stomach upset; other factors individual to each person.
After “awakening,” the virus travels back to the skin. As the virus moves through a nerve, it causes inflammation of the nerve tissue.
The development of herpes can be divided into several stages. At the first stage, the person feels unwell. At the site where the “fever” appears, there is pain, tingling, and the skin turns red. At the inflammation stage, a small painful blister filled with fluid forms. After some time, the bubble bursts and a colorless liquid containing billions of viral particles flows out of it. An ulcer appears in its place. At the final stage, the ulcer becomes covered with a crust.
Most often, herpes appears on the lips, but lesions can also appear on the face, in the ears or in the mouth.
How to treat herpes in adults (medicines) –
Very often, patients ask questions about how to cure herpes forever. Unfortunately, at the moment medicine does not have the ability to achieve complete removal of the herpes virus from the body. However, modern antiviral agents (ointments and tablets) can effectively block the replication of the virus, especially when it comes to the herpes simplex virus (types HSV-1 and HSV-2). It can be much more difficult to cure herpes on the body, which is referred to as “shingles” or “herpes zoster”.
Modern antiviral tablets and ointments for herpes can significantly reduce the severity of herpes infection, speed up healing, and also reduce the frequency of relapses. There is also a domestic vaccine against the herpes simplex virus (types HSV-1 and HSV-2) called “Vitagerpavak”, which can reduce the frequency of repeated outbreaks of herpes infection by several times. Below we will tell you about the best remedy for herpes - both among means for external use and among tablet preparations.
But in order for herpes treatment to be as effective as possible, you must strictly follow the following rules:
- Herpes therapy will show good effectiveness if it is started no later than 12 hours from the moment the first herpetic rash appears. Keep in mind that the later treatment is started, the less effective even the best herpes medications will be.
- The maximum effectiveness will be shown by therapy that is started in the prodromal period (i.e., when the actual herpetic blisters have not yet appeared, but the patient already feels itching, burning or swelling of the tissue in this area). If treatment begins during this period, then the number and size of herpetic blisters formed in the future will be significantly smaller, and in this case, complete healing can be achieved in just 4-5 days.
- Remember that if you start treatment later than 48 hours , or after the herpetic blisters have opened, such therapy will not noticeably affect the speed of recovery (healing of lesions). However, in patients with severe and frequent relapses, such therapy can avoid complications.
What to do if you have a “cold” on your lips
At the moment, no drugs or treatment methods have been developed that would completely destroy the herpes simplex virus in the human body. But we can give some advice to those suffering from herpes.
- Strictly follow the rules of personal hygiene! Since herpes is contagious, it is necessary to wash your hands with soap and use separate utensils and towels.
- Don't put your hands near your eyes! And do not wet your lenses with saliva! Herpes can affect the mucous membrane of the eye.
- It is not recommended to touch the viral rash or kiss. The virus can be transmitted by wearing one lipstick or smoking one cigarette.
- If you try to remove a blister or scab over a sore, the virus can spread to other parts of the body.
- Avoid oral sex! The virus from the affected lips can cause genital herpes in a partner.
- A young mother must also take certain precautions to protect her baby from contracting herpes. If you have herpetic rashes, you must wash your hands with soap and water every time before touching your child. And under no circumstances should the affected surface come into contact with the child’s skin.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis includes visual inspection of the patient's clinical manifestations if an exacerbation is typical. The diagnosis of HSV infection is often based on clinically characteristic lesions. Laboratory confirmation may be necessary if the infection is severe, the patient is immunocompromised, or the patient is pregnant, and the lesions are atypical. Depending on the severity of the clinical picture, a number of necessary auxiliary diagnostic procedures are performed:
- a set of standard laboratory tests (general blood test, urine test, etc.);
- serological tests (ELISA) to detect antibodies to a specific type of virus in the patient’s blood;
- PCR analysis is a highly informative diagnostic method that allows you to detect the presence of a virus in the body with up to 99% accuracy.
Herpes simplex virus must be distinguished from herpes zoster, which rarely recurs and usually causes more severe pain and larger lesions that are distributed along the dermatome and usually do not cross the midline. It should also be noted that collections of vesicles or ulcers on an erythematous basis are uncommon in genital lesions other than those caused by HSV infection.
How to minimize discomfort
You should start using antiherpes medications as soon as you feel a tingling sensation. Medicines will not get rid of the virus, but they will stop its development and speed up recovery. There are drugs that prevent the development of the virus: tablets, ointments for external use, which help heal blisters and ulcers and reduce discomfort.
When applying the ointment, use cotton swabs to avoid transferring the virus from your lips to the skin of your fingers.
Herpes requires the attention of specialists! A “cold” on the lips can be a symptom of serious diseases: a sharp decrease in immunity, cancer, HIV infection.
If you are suffering from relapses of herpes, consult a doctor. A specialist will not only save you from unnecessary worries and eliminate health hazards, but will also help you choose a comprehensive program for the prevention and treatment of herpes.
In order to make an appointment with an immunologist or dermatologist for a program for the diagnosis and treatment of herpes, call the Family Doctor clinic (clinic hours: Mon-Fri from 8.00 to 21.00, Sat-Sun from 9.00 to 20.00), or sign up for reception and diagnostics via online registration form
Herpes virus (how does infection occur) –
Initially, children are born with immunity to the herpes virus - thanks to the antibodies that each child receives from the mother (even during pregnancy). However, gradually the number of antibodies decreases, and usually in the period from 6 months to 3 years maximum, the child develops a primary herpes infection. It usually occurs in the form of primary herpetic gingivostomatitis. And in the future, the herpes virus remains in the body for life, periodically exacerbating.
How is herpes transmitted?
The best remedy for herpes is certainly its prevention, but below we will also talk about special ointments and tablets. You should know that contact is the main route for transmission of herpes infection; Airborne transmission is more rare. Contact transmission means that infection with the herpes virus occurs:
- through kisses and touches,
- when you use personal items that have been in contact with a person with herpes or simply a “carrier”,
- for example, you dried yourself with someone else's towel,
- for example, you tasted your child's food with his spoon,
- for example, you eat with someone from the same plate, etc.
The most contagious are people who have clinical manifestations of herpes - we are talking about whole or newly opened herpetic vesicles. Keep in mind that the risk of infection does not disappear once crusts form, but only decreases slightly. Modern research shows that infection with herpes is possible even from a clinically completely healthy person.
Important: in approximately 10% of people, the herpes virus is constantly detected in the saliva (even against the background of the complete absence of any symptoms of herpes).
What causes relapses of herpes -
After the initial infection, the herpes virus penetrates the nerve cells, then it spreads along the nerve trunks, ultimately ending up in the nerve ganglia. There it remains for life - in the form of a “dormant infection”.
Under the influence of certain triggering factors, the virus is activated and again moves along the nerve trunks to the surfaces of the skin and/or mucous membranes - where it causes the formation of herpetic vesicles (vesicles). Relapses can occur 1 or 2 times a year, but sometimes much more often, which ultimately depends on the state of your immune system and nervous system.
Factors that cause recurrence of herpes –
- contact with a person with clinical manifestations of herpes,
- decreased immunity due to influenza or ARVI,
- immunodeficiency states,
- hypothermia, dehydration,
- physical fatigue and emotional stress,
- cuts and scratches on the skin, for example after shaving,
- after a visit to the dentist (due to the fact that when the mouth is opened wide for a long time, cracks form in the corners of the mouth),
- after invasive cosmetic procedures,
- during menstruation in women,
- prolonged exposure to the sun.
The best ointments for herpes
Our rating includes the most effective ointments for herpes, which are often prescribed by doctors. From accessible, cheap to more expensive, but equally helpful. Choose any one after consulting with your doctor, and remember this important advice: the sooner you start treatment, at the very first symptoms, the faster the herpes will go away.
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Herpes symptoms
The herpes virus has several types. The most common type 1 herpes virus occurs - it usually appears on the upper half of the body (face, hands). The second type of herpes virus is genital. How does the herpes virus manifest itself:
- burning and tingling in those places where bubbles with liquid will later appear;
- wounds form in place of the bubbles;
- Sometimes with herpes, fever, swollen lymph nodes or sore throat are possible.
Well, since the virus does not disappear from the body, you need to be prepared for relapses as soon as the immune system weakens.
Herpferon
The active ingredients of this herpes ointment are interferon alpha-2b and acyclovir. In addition, "Gerpferon", unlike other similar products, contains lidocaine, which perfectly anesthetizes the area affected by herpes. By the way, “Gerpferon” is suitable for treating herpes on the oral mucosa. As for the use of this ointment for herpes during pregnancy and breastfeeding, there is no data on this, so it is better to consult a doctor. Reviews about Gerpferon ointment are positive, but many patients note its high cost.
Herpferon
Firn M, Russia
primary and recurrent herpetic lesions of the skin and mucous membranes;
genital herpes; herpes zoster. from 213
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The benefits of ointment for herpes infection
In the practice of alternative medicine, soda is often used for herpes on the lips, but there is another effective remedy - the use of heparin ointment against herpes. This method has many advantages:
- fast action;
- local action with a softening and protective effect;
- possibility of local therapy;
- refusal of antiherpes medications;
- availability;
- harmlessness;
- the strongest local antivirus effect.
Often, herpes is treated with the same ointments in both adults and children (except in individual cases). Convenient is the fact that the ointment can be used anywhere and at any time. Such a local preparation provides reliable protection to the virus-affected area of the skin from microbes that provoke the development of this problem.
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Also, before using heparin ointment, certain rules should be followed, which will make the treatment more effective:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before use;
- apply the product only with a disposable cotton swab or swab;
- do not use application devices twice;
- do not wash or wash off the ointment, give it the opportunity to absorb on its own.
It is also necessary to take into account the following: if herpes manifests itself frequently, external treatment in the form of ointments will be ineffective; immunomodulatory and antiviral therapy prescribed by a doctor is necessary.
Herperax
This herpes ointment for external use is also not absorbed into the blood and does not have a systemic effect on the body. The active ingredient in Herperax ointment is acyclovir, which successfully fights the herpes simplex virus. The product affects only those cells that are affected by herpes. "Herperax" is a very effective drug, therefore it is often prescribed by doctors. It is noteworthy that this ointment for herpes can be used in children from birth.
Herperax
Micro Labs Limited, India
Herperax is an antiviral drug whose active substance is acyclovir.
Thymidine kinase in virus-infected cells actively converts acyclovir through a series of sequential reactions into acyclovir mono-, di- and triphosphate. The latter interacts with viral DNA polymerase and is integrated into the DNA that is synthesized for new viruses. Thus, defective viral DNA is formed, which leads to suppression of the replication of new generations of viruses. Acyclovir is active against Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, Varicella zoster virus, Epstein-Bar virus and cytomegalovirus. from 49
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Oksolin
This antiviral non-hormonal inexpensive ointment is recommended for chickenpox, rashes and herpes of the first and second types. A white ointment with a uniform consistency and specific odor is indicated for external use only. The active ingredient in ointment for herpes, oxolin, perfectly fights viruses, penetrating inside viral cells and destroying them. Oxolinic ointment acts on the DNA of the virus, stopping its reproduction. You need to smear wounds from herpes with “Oxolin” several times a day until complete recovery.
Oksolin
OJSC "Lubnyfarm", Ukraine
The active ingredient of Oxolinic ointment is oxolin, which has antiviral activity against the influenza virus and herpes simplex virus.
from 8
5.0 1 review
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Fenistil Pencivir
One of the most effective remedies against herpes. The active ingredient in Fenistil Pencivir cream is penciclovir, which is considered safer than acyclovir. Penciclovir is an analogue of acyclovir, but more modern, with virtually no side effects. Fenistil Pencivir can be used by pregnant women (but only if the prescription is approved by the doctor!). You need to apply the herpes cream about eight times a day. Fenistil Pencivir does not need to be stored in the refrigerator, like many similar herpes remedies. This cream is odorless, does not leave marks on clothes and is suitable for children over 12 years of age. But they cannot be used to treat the mucous membranes and skin around the eyes.
Fenistil pencivir
Novartis Pharma Services AG (Novartis Pharma), Switzerland
- recurrent herpes simplex localized on the lips (herpes labialis).
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