However, in 17-20% of people, the herpes virus periodically “wakes up” and begins to actively multiply. This process is called relapse and is accompanied by the appearance of rashes on the face.
The most common factors that can trigger a recurrence of herpes include:
- hypothermia,
- colds and other viral or bacterial infections,
- overwork,
- stress,
- injury,
- menstruation,
- “strict” diets, hypovitaminosis and exhaustion,
- excessive passion for tanning.
The virus can infect any area of the skin or mucous membranes of the body. But most often, during a relapse, the lips and nasal mucosa become targets.
For some, “cold lips” occur only occasionally, being mainly a cosmetic drawback. But for people with severely reduced immunity, the presence of the herpes virus in the body can become a serious problem. So, for example, in patients with AIDS
, cancer patients, people who have undergone organ transplantation, the common herpes virus can cause damage to internal organs.
Prevention
Prevention of “colds on the lips” consists, first of all, in strengthening the immune system. It is advisable to maintain a sleep and rest schedule, and do not forget about hardening. During epidemics of ARVI and influenza, it is important to avoid staying in crowded places.
Those who often have exacerbations of herpes are advised to check their immune system and undergo an examination, including for the presence of other hidden infections.
If any illnesses or malfunctions in the immune system are found, the doctor will recommend treatment. Please note that self-administration of antibiotics, antiviral drugs and immunomodulators instead of help can create a number of problems.
Who is at risk?
ŒIf a person is constantly in a stressful situation, lacks rest and sleep, and also periodically gets hypothermic, there is only one outcome: against the background of general fatigue, the lips will definitely “break out.”
- Heavy smokers and those who like to have an extra drink put themselves at additional risk.
- Vulnerability to the virus increases if the body lacks vitamins and essential microelements that help to stay in shape. A strict diet, fasting, imbalance and imbalance in nutrition can lead to a decrease in immunity and create conditions for the activation of the virus.
- Excessive exposure to the scorching sun. Sunbathing lovers and fans of artificial tanning need to be on alert, as UHF radiation can damage the thin skin of the lips. Herpes will not slow down in its appearance.
- For those who cannot imagine their winter holiday without active pastime in frosty, windy weather, we also recommend that you take care of preventive measures in advance.
There is no need to worry if rashes appear no more than twice a season. In the cold season and during sudden changes in climate zones, this is quite normal. But if this illness has become your constant guest and companion, then this is an important reason for an unscheduled visit to the doctor. Perhaps the problem lies in the immune system.
Herpes on the lip is an unpleasant disease, but in general it is possible to effectively cope with the problem. You can ask your local physician in detail about how to quickly cure a cold on the lip. But, no matter how much we want it, there is no medicine that can give a 100% guarantee of getting rid of HSV. If in Soviet times treatment was reduced to iodine cauterization, castor oil and Zelinsky drops, then modern methods of treating herpes are aimed at improving the quality of life of the infected person and can significantly slow down the development of the virus. You are probably familiar with such drugs as Acyclovir, Zovirax, or analogues - drugs with similar names. They are produced by different manufacturers under one or another trade name, and they are quite widely represented in pharmacy chains. Vaccine therapy also shows some results.
Remember! Only a doctor can prescribe the best remedy for colds on the lips. Self-medication is life-threatening!
Treatment of herpes on the lips
Today there are no drugs that would completely destroy the herpes virus in the human body. However, there is a group of special antiviral agents that effectively suppress the reproduction of HSV-I.
Recurrences of herpes that affect the lips or nasal mucosa respond well to local treatment with cream or ointment. In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend pills.
If antiviral cream
start using it for existing rashes, healing occurs faster than with other treatment methods.
It must be remembered that early initiation of treatment is the key to success. Before the bubbles appear, the lips become very sensitive, itching and tingling occur. And if the disease begins to be treated at the stage of these precursors, then rashes may not appear, and recovery will occur as soon as possible.
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What is the best way to treat herpes: effective ointments and tablets for herpes infection
The most well-known antiherpetic drug is acyclovir. Its effectiveness for the treatment of types 1, 2, 3 and 4 of herpes has been proven in clinical studies. Acyclovir is recommended by the World Health Organization to combat HSV.
Acyclovir stops the reproduction of the pathogen and inhibits its activity. It is mainly used in the form of a cream, which is applied several times a day to the affected area of the skin. This drug also exists in tablet form. The rules of admission in each individual case should be discussed with the attending physician.
The drug Penciclovir is considered no less effective. It is also recommended by WHO, as this medication has successfully passed numerous clinical trials. It suppresses the activity of herpes virus types 1 and 2, and is also effective against its strains. Penciclovir can be used in patients who are resistant to acyclovir.
However, Valaciclovir is considered the most effective drug against herpes infection. It is more effective than the previous two medications. In the human body, under the influence of enzymes, valacyclovir is converted into acyclovir.
In almost all antiherpetic drugs, the main active ingredient is acyclovir, penciclovir or valacyclovir.
Drugs for the treatment of oral herpes
There are a wide variety of antiviral medications to treat the symptoms of this disease, which are available in dosage forms for topical use. They begin to act faster than drugs in tablet forms and act directly on the site of infection.
The best creams and ointments for type 1 herpes:
- Pen-Gerpevir;
- Atsik;
- Lipster;
- Gerpevir;
- Zovirax;
- Acyclostad;
- Agerp.
Acyclovir, penciclovir and valacyclovir are also included in medications that must be taken orally, that is, through the mouth.
They are included in the following herpes tablets:
- Gropivirine;
- Valavir;
- Acyclovir-Darnitsa;
- Atsik;
- Lipster.
Drugs for the treatment of genital herpes
Some of the medications listed above are suitable to combat it, but medical experts advise using drugs that contain valacyclovir. This is due to the fact that HSV type 2 has a greater number of negative symptoms and can cause complications, and valacyclovir is stronger than penciclovir and acyclovir.
Effective drugs to combat HSV type 2:
- Proteflazid drops, Proteflazid suppositories;
- Valavir tablets;
- Roller tablets;
- Lipster tablets;
- Valaciclovir-Hetero tablets.
In addition, to treat the viral infection in question, the following auxiliary agents are used:
1. Immunomodulators . They help strengthen the immune system and enhance protective responses against viruses.
Examples of these tools:
- Cycloferon;
- Anaferon.
2. Antiseptics . They are used to prevent re-infections. Antiseptics are used to treat infection sites.
The most famous medicines:
- Chlorhexedine;
- Miramistin.
3. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) . Herpes infection is accompanied by inflammatory processes that help suppress NSAIDs.
Examples of these drugs:
- Ibuprofen;
- Nimesil.
4. Analgesics-antipyretics . With genital herpes, fever may occur. It can be brought down with the help of the most famous analgesic-antipyretic paracetamol.
5. Antihistamines . During HSV, a person experiences itching sensations at the sites of infection. Ulcers and blisters are very itchy, but they should never be scratched, otherwise scars will remain in their place. Antihistamines are used to reduce itching.
Popular products of this group.
- Erius;
- Claritin;
- Eden.
The doctor must decide which remedy to choose for the treatment of herpes simplex virus and which auxiliary medications to take in each individual case. And to prevent the occurrence of the disease or its relapse, you can carry out simple prevention.
Memo
It must be remembered that when herpes rashes appear, a person becomes acutely contagious. Moreover, not only those around him can suffer, but also the sick person himself. For example, from a lesion on the lips with dirty hands the virus can be carried into the eyes or genitals.
Therefore, it is important to follow the following rules.
- Do not touch lips affected by rashes. If you touch them, wash your hands thoroughly.
- Use your own towel and utensils.
- If your lips are affected, do not squeeze the blisters or pick off the scabs. This may cause additional skin infection.
- Refrain from kissing and oral-genital contact.
- If you wear contact lenses, do not wet them with saliva to moisten them.
- Apply antiviral cream to your lips not with your fingers, but with cosmetic sticks.
Symptoms
You can guess that an imminent encounter with a cold on the lips is coming from the accompanying symptoms. Initially, a tingling and slight burning sensation appears on the edge of the lip. After a short time, the area where the herpes is located turns red, swellings appear, which turn into small blisters. At the third, most painful stage, the sores characteristic of herpes become noticeable. And finally, stage number four is the attenuation of inflammation. At this stage, the herpes on the lip becomes covered with a yellowish crust.
If you let the disease take its course, the risk of getting additional complications in the form of diseases of various organs is quite high. Without proper attention, herpes can appear anywhere there are mucous membranes. The ENT organs, oral cavity, and genitourinary system are at risk. Let's not forget about herpetic sore throat.
Recommend something effective to get rid of this herpes once and for all
Unfortunately this is not possible. Once entering the body - most often this happens in childhood - herpes simplex viruses never leave it. They penetrate the nerve ganglia of the trigeminal nerve and migrate from them only during relapses, and then return again to the zone of permanent “dislocation”. Activation of the infection occurs against the background of a number of risk factors, or triggers. They can be: fever, stress, fatigue, hormonal changes, respiratory infections, etc. By the way, with age, the frequency of relapses of orolabial herpes decreases.
There is no remedy that would allow you to get rid of herpes infection at once. However, there are drugs that alleviate the condition during the activation of the disease and speed up recovery. These are primarily acyclovir-based products that block the proliferation of herpes viruses. Acyclovir ointments and creams are the drugs of choice for recurrent colds on the lips, having an optimal balance of effectiveness and safety.
Recommend some remedy for cold sore lips for a pregnant woman
Unfortunately, first-line drugs for the treatment of exacerbations of orolabial herpes are indicated for use during pregnancy only if the benefit to the mother outweighs the risk to the fetus and child [2]. Expectant mothers can be encouraged to use a lip balm or cream with a UV filter - it protects the skin of the lips from the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation, which is considered one of the triggers for relapses of herpes. Additionally, I would recommend lip moisturizers to prevent dry skin.
Treatment for colds on the lips
As you know, it is better to prevent any disease than to waste your health, time and money on a long fight against it. It is enough to follow simple rules of prevention than to treat colds on the lips.
Follow 4 rules when you have a cold
- Wash your hands more often to avoid self-infection of genital herpes with herpes, if you do not want herpes on the lips to change its place of residence and move “on the floor below.”
- Use only personal hygiene items and cutlery.
- Hold off on kissing.
- Apply cold remedy to your lips using cotton swabs.
To prevent the appearance of herpes on the lip:
- Consumption of vegetables and fruits, vitamins (especially C, E).
- During epidemics of influenza and acute respiratory infections, cover your face with an individual gauze bandage
Protect your lips with a trusty lipstick. On lips that are dry, chapped, cracked in the cold or under the scorching sun, microcracks form. These are the places that colds love. Hygienic lipstick EVO Panthenol accelerates the regeneration and healing of cracked lip skin, while cocoa butter and Shea butter provide hydration and prevent dryness.
