Herpes is a viral infection that cannot be cured but can be treated. There are many ways to manage the severity and frequency of herpes flare-ups, including home remedies that can be used to alleviate symptoms naturally along with prescription medications. 

While some individuals affected by herpes may not experience any symptoms at all, others may have initial outbreaks, and some may have recurrent outbreaks with painful sores and blisters, most often on the mouth or genitals. In this blog, let’s explore how to treat herpes naturally. 

What is Herpes?

Herpes is a common, lifelong viral infection that is spread from person to person through close, direct, and intimate contact. It affects nearly half of all American adults under the age of 50. The term “herpes” actually refers to two different forms of the herpes simplex virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Here’s a detailed study of the Herpes virus, which might prove useful to you.

Many infected individuals have never experienced a visible sore, and among those who do, the frequency and severity of outbreaks can vary widely. Both strains HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be diagnosed via a swab or blood test at a medical clinic.

How to Treat Herpes? 

There are several types of remedies for both the stages of HVS-1 and HVS-2. People should not try to treat herpes with random home remedies without consulting the doctor. No drug can eradicate the herpes virus. However, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine, such as acyclovir, or Valtrex, to prevent the virus from multiplying. Meanwhile, over-the-counter herpes treatments, often creams, and herpes ointments like acyclovir and penciclovir creams can help manage tingling, itching, and pain. 

If a person is taking an antiviral medication, the symptoms may resolve nearly 1-2 days more quickly than if no treatment were used. Medication is also used to reduce the severity of symptoms. Taking these medications every day for longer periods can significantly reduce the risk of passing herpes to another person, though it remains a possibility. If the person experiences the recurrences more frequently, a doctor may recommend taking an antiviral for 6-12 months at a time. 

How Do You Know If You Have Herpes?

Viral infection

Where herpes symptoms do occur, the lesions usually appear as small, painful blisters on or around the genitals, rectum, or mouth. Typically, the initial herpes outbreak will appear four days after exposure, with a range of 2 to 12 days. The blisters will break and leave painful sores that may take two to four weeks to heal.

During the first breakout, the herpes lesions often last longer and are more contagious. Other symptoms may include a fever, body pains, swollen lymph nodes, and a headache. 

Many people can sense a recurrent outbreak coming before the lesions appear, with symptoms that may include genital pain, or tingling or shooting pains in 5the legs, hips, or buttocks. Sometimes there will be no symptoms, and many people don’t know they have herpes. 

What Are the Symptoms of Herpes?

Herpes on her face

During the breakout, the most common symptoms of herpes infection are pain and herpes lesions. These are small red bumps or white blisters, or sores, that will emerge on the mouth, face, genitals, anus, inner thighs, or buttocks. 

Other Symptoms Associated with Herpes Include:

  • Pain or burning sensation during urination.
  • Fever and, illness. 
  • Discharge from the urethra, the tube that releases urine from the body.
  • Discharge from the vagina.
  • Painful ulcers that form when blisters rupture and ooze or bleed. 
  • Continues headaches and body aches.
  • Tender, enlarged, or swollen lymph nodes.

If these symptoms go beyond level, the herpes virus will move from your skin into your nervous system. There, it will be dormant until it is reactivated by a trigger, such as stress and other illnesses. 

How to Get Rid of Herpes on the Lip?

Herpes on her lips

Cold sores are sometimes called Oral herpes because herpes simplex is the virus type 1 (HSV-1). This virus is common in the mouth and it is highly contagious. It spreads through saliva or close contact, often through sharing utensils, or towels, with someone who has a cold sore. 

To get rid of herpes on your lips, there are antiviral medications that can help you to heal faster, including acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir, and penciclovir. These medications are traditionally the most effective ointments that help you to get rid of herpes in your lips

Home Remedies For Herpes

Skin irritation

The following tips can help you relieve some discomfort from the herpes virus:

  •  Bathing in lightly salted water or soaking in a warm sitz bath.
  • Take extra care when washing the sores and use fragrance-free soaps.
  • Squirting water from a bottle or bidet onto blisters to ease the pain while urinating.
  • Applying aloe vera gel to treat the cold sores
  • Applying petroleum jelly to the affected areas.
  • Wear loose clothing to avoid irritation.
  • Refraining from sexual activity, even with the protection, until symptoms have gone completely. 
  • Apply a cream or lotion to the urethra before urinating.

Some people found that using ice packs can help us from irritation. However, never apply ice directly to the skin, it’s better to wrap the ice in a cloth first

How to Prevent Herpes Outbreaks?

There is no complete way to prevent herpes, but the following strategies can reduce the risk of developing herpes outbreaks:

  • Try to make lifestyle changes that support your immune system and manage triggers.
  • Eat well, getting enough sleep, and managing stress are important.
  • Prevent yourself as much as possible from the extreme sun, wind, and heat. 
  • Wear proper suitable sunscreen and moisturizer, even on your lips, and try to protect 
  • Always wash your hands well after touching a herpes sore. 
  • If you have an active cold sore, avoid sharing dishes, towels, toothbrushes, or makeup with other people. 
  • The major side of prevention involves reducing the spread of herpes to others. Antiviral medications are one of the important prevention tools. 
  • Wash your hands thoroughly, especially after touching the affected area, during an outbreak.
  • Avoiding sex while the symptoms are present. 

Conclusion

There is no way to cure the possibility of the herpes virus completely. The only thing we can do is, preventing before it come and, treat them from multiplying. We hope this blog helps you understand the virus herpes and to know the possible ways and remedies to stay away from the viral infection.