Herpes on the lips: treatment, causes and prevention
Herpes on the lips itself is very unpleasant.It is several water bubbles connected to each other. At the place where herpes appears, there is an unpleasant feeling of burning and itching. As for the reasons for the appearance of herpes on the lips, there are several:
- One of the reasons should be considered reduced immunity in the cold or hot season.
- Herpes on the lips can occur and as a resultsuch diseases as angina, common cold, flu. This is due to the fact that during these diseases the human immune system is significantly weakened and the body becomes vulnerable to various viral infections.
- Overheating and hypothermia of the body can be the reason for the manifestation of herpes on the lips.
- This virus can manifest itself as a result of emotional disorders and stressful situations.
- Any poisoning of the body can provoke herpes. To promote its appearance can and such harmful habits as frequent use of alcoholic beverages, coffee and smoking.
There are other reasons why this may happen.this disease can manifest itself. For example, poor nutrition, lack of vitamins and minerals, frequent and prolonged exposure to the sun, excessive physical activity, and as a result, overwork of the body, constant stressful situations, menstruation in women - all this can provoke the manifestation of the herpes virus. Here, everything is also associated with a weakened immune system. Herpes on the lips itself is quite contagious and can be very easily transmitted to other people. For example, one of the ways to transmit the infection can be considered a kiss, using the same dishes with a sick person, using the same towel, etc. This suggests, first of all, that it is necessary to observe the rules of hygiene and avoid contact and interaction with the disease itself. It is very important to know that the first type of herpes can manifest itself not only on the lips, it can easily spread to the eyes and other areas of the skin on the face. If you feel an unpleasant sensation on your lips in the form of burning and itching, or tingling and pinching, accompanied by the formation of blisters, then you need to take all necessary measures as soon as possible.
What it is necessary to know if there was herpes on the lips
As already mentioned, herpes on the lips isvery contagious. For this reason, after each contact with the sore (for example, when applying ointment), you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap. This is necessary to avoid spreading the infection to other parts of the body. Never try to get rid of the sore by picking it off. This will only increase the risk of spreading the infection. To avoid herpes on the eyes, limit yourself in applying makeup for the period when the infection on the lips does not go away. If there is an urgent need to apply makeup, try to ensure that your hands are always washed after contact with the sore. But it is worth knowing that even with clean hands you should not touch the mucous membrane of the eye. When using contact lenses, remember that in no case should you wet them with your saliva, otherwise the risk of spreading herpes to the eyes will be too great. Use separate towels, eat from separate dishes, so as not to infect other members of your family. After the infection has disappeared, it is recommended to thoroughly disinfect all dishes that were in contact with, towels, toothbrushes and other items. If possible, replace them with new ones, otherwise herpes may reappear. During manifestations of the disease, try to avoid direct sunlight. This can only worsen the condition, significantly increase the burning and itching sensation.
Methods and ways of penetration of the herpes virus into the body
You can become infected with this virus while still inin the womb, but the most common way of infection is considered to be contact with a sick person. After the herpes virus penetrates our body, it goes to the nerve cells, where it subsides for some time. This process is called a persistent state. At the moment when the human immune system weakens, the virus wakes up and begins to actively multiply. The result of such actions of the virus is a rash on the lips and other parts of the body (depending on the type of virus). The human body becomes vulnerable to the virus in the following cases:
- As a result of hypothermia.Perhaps, it is for this reason that the manifestation of the herpes virus is often called a cold, because very often a certain pattern is observed: you got too cold - herpes appeared on your lips.
- Frequent lack of sleep only provokes an activeactivity of the virus. This is due to the fact that the body is exhausted and trying to sleep. Mental activity is dulled, the immune system also tries to sleep, which gives the herpes virus an excellent opportunity to pass unnoticed by the guards. Lack of sleep, of course, does not lead to the fact that the immune cells begin to dormant, but still it is able for some time to depress the body's defense system.
- Regular use of so-called externalstimulants can create excellent conditions for the development of the virus. Human nutrition should be rational and balanced. Do not often use coffee, which only creates the illusion of vivacity. The lack of necessary useful elements and vitamins can lead to the fact that the activity of the herpes virus will increase significantly.
- Depression, constant stress, depressioncondition - all this makes the body vulnerable to the virus. Any feeling of suffering in the body weakens the immune system, which gives the virus the opportunity to actively develop and multiply.
Treatment of herpes on the lips
The appearance of this virus on the lips includes several stages:
As already mentioned, treatment of herpes on the lipsit is necessary to start as soon as possible. If any discomfort in the lip area, itching and burning occurs, you should use special ointments that are sold in any pharmacy. Such antiherpetic ointments contain penciclovir or acyclovir. Zovirax ointment is considered very good in the fight against herpes. The price of such an ointment is on average 300 rubles, but it lasts a long time and the result will not be long in coming. Acyclovir is much cheaper, the price for it is 25-45 rubles. These ointments can dry out the blisters that have formed on the lips, relieve burning and itching. It is necessary to apply the ointment to the affected area every 2-4 hours. You can also use ointments containing zinc. They are necessary for skin disinfection. Such treatment is quite fast and gives positive results. If you often have herpes on the surface of the lips, then you can additionally take Acyclovir tablets or a more expensive drug - Voltarex. Quick treatment of herpes is also possible with the help of ordinary table salt. It is enough to lubricate the affected area of the lips with a cotton swab soaked in a thick salt solution. Calendula or chamomile infusion will also help to quickly cure a cold sore on the lips.
Cold on the lips: rapid treatment and prevention
As you know, with the right balancenutrition, the human immune system is able to fight any infection. The human immune system produces antibodies that can suppress the development of the herpes virus. It is necessary to strengthen the immune system, take vitamin complexes. For example, in the autumn-spring period, strengthen the body with special preparations based on echinacea (Immunal), take vitamin-mineral complexes (Supradin, Complivit), take vitamin C more often. Try to avoid any stressful situations, get enough sleep. Include more fresh fruits (mainly citrus fruits) and vegetables in your daily diet. Eat enough kiwi, onions and cabbage. Vitamins of group B, especially vitamin B6 and B12, products rich in selenium and zinc can also protect against herpes. Fish and meat, sunflower seeds, sprouted wheat are rich in zinc. There is a lot of selenium in seafood, nuts, eggs. By the way, zinc promotes rapid healing of small wounds. Herpes can also be treated with folk remedies. There is a special herbal tea that can quickly relieve the manifestations of the virus and alleviate the symptoms of the disease. To prepare this tea, you will need 1 part juniper berries, 3 parts bird cherry berries and the same amount of lemon balm. Mix everything, then take 1 tablespoon of the mixture and pour 1 glass of boiling water. It is recommended to drink this tea 3-4 times a day. You can also add a teaspoon of honey. Another herbal tea that can quickly solve the problem consists of propolis and chamomile flowers. A teaspoon of chamomile flowers should be poured with one glass of boiling water and left for 10 minutes. Then add 1 teaspoon of propolis alcohol tincture (10%) to the broth. The resulting solution is ready for use, drink it in small sips. The following mixture is considered quite effective in the fight against the herpes virus: you need to take 1 tablespoon of honey, 3 cloves of garlic (grated on a fine grater), 1 tablespoon of ash. Mix everything thoroughly and apply to the affected area. It is important to remember that if herpes on the lips does not go away within 10 days, then you should consult a doctor who will select the most appropriate treatment. And remember: the weaker your immune system, the more likely the herpes virus will manifest. Monitor your health and take care of it.
