How To Treat A Herpes Outbreak

A common medical ailment in the United States and the U.K. herpes is a painful, that most suffers wish to treat as privately as possible. An outbreak is disrupting physically, mentally, and socially. A virus causes herpes, and for those with the condition it is important to seek medical treatment. A doctor should keep all information regarding herpes private, and be able to prescribe medication to ease the symptoms of an outbreak. Nothing can cure herpes, but it is possible to reduce the duration, pain and number of outbreaks someone with the condition experiences. There are many considerations for a patient when treating the problems associated with herpes, such as cost of medical treatment and side effects of medications.

Herpes simplex is referred to as viral disease in that it is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 or type 2 infection. This condition can take several different forms including oral herpes or genital herpes. It is transmitted by direct contact with the body fluid of an infected person. It can also be passed when skin-to-skin contact occurs even when there are no symptoms of the condition visible. For this reason an infected person should be careful to use barrier protection to prevent transmitting the infection to a partner.

Medical treatment for herpes includes several different types of medication including famciclover, acyclovir, and valacyclovir all of which are antiviral medications. These drugs may have side effects such as headache, nausea, and diarrhea. These are usually mild, and when assessing the need to use such drugs a person with herpes should weight the discomfort of the active symptoms and the need to prevent future outbreaks against the severity of the side effects.

During an outbreak, it is important to try to keep as free from stress as possible. Research indicates that stress lowers the ability of the body’s immune system to perform. The more stress someone having an outbreak experiences, the longer the duration of the symptoms might be, and a tension filled environment can also influence the frequency of outbreaks.

At the first sign of symptoms in the initial outbreak, seeing a physician is essential as treatment at this stage can reduce the types of symptoms experienced and the number of resulting outbreaks. Avoid sexual activity or heavy physical activity until all of the blisters or other symptoms have completely healed. Along with prescribed medication, a doctor will usually recommend using an ice pack to reduce the pain and swelling. When using ice on the area around or on the genitals care should be taken not to leave the pack in place for more than a few minutes at a time. Keeping the area clean and dry is important. A warm bath with baking soda is very soothing for those experiencing an outbreak. Do not use bath salts. A relaxing herbal bath with chamomile, hops, comfrey leaf, calendula and comfrey root helps reduce the stress level both through the softening of the water, and the pleasant aroma.

Tea tree oil which acts as a natural antiseptic often sooths some of the pain of an outbreak. Drinking teas, that boost the immune system such as Echinacea, burdock root, or Goldseal is also reported to aid many herpes suffers. When drinking teas adding other herbs to improve taste increases the stress, reducing factor of the drink. Cinnamon, orange peel, and licorice root are pleasant to the taste, and will not adversely affect the effectiveness of the drink.

Another way to sooth an outbreak is with natural oils. Lemon balm is believed to reduce the duration of an outbreak or at least it the time it takes for blisters to heal. Several oils are available at most health markets that contain lemon or other oils that can speed the process of healing during an outbreak.

Some over the counter supplements can inhibit viral growth to an extent. Antioxidant vitamins, zinc, and amino acid L-lysine are the most often recommended. A diet rich in fresh, preferably raw vegetables are a good diet whenever there is a health issue involving the immune system. Avoid diary products, oats, peanuts, corn are food that contains arginine.

No permanent cure for herpes, there are only methods of reducing the number of outbreaks and controlling the length of time blisters and pustules take to heal. Along with medication, self-care is crucial. Ignoring an outbreak will only ensure a longer period of healing. Reducing stress and taking care of the body and mind is the best way to treat any form of the herpes.