Herpes on the lips (lat. Herpes labialis, in everyday life the names cold sores or fever on the lips are sometimes used) is a consequence of infection with a certain type of herpes virus. This disease is one of the common infectious diseases of the skin and mucous membranes, which is easily transmitted between people.
There are 8 known types of herpes simplex virus, and each type predominantly causes herpetic lesions of a certain type. Herpes on the lips is initiated by infection with the herpes simplex virus type 1, much less commonly with type 2. The type 1 virus can also cause other diseases, for example herpetic stomatitis, herpetic keratoconjunctivitis.
How does the virus become infected?
The virus can be infected in different ways: airborne droplets, contact (through shared towels, cutlery, through kissing), sexual intercourse, self-expression (when the virus from ulcers enters healthy mucous membranes and infects them). You can become infected through a blood transfusion and a child can receive the virus from the mother in utero. The incubation period (from the moment of contact until the first signs appear) is 2-14 days. A person becomes contagious as soon as sores appear on the lip, and is contagious to others until the scabs fall off .
Photo: One of the most common ways of transmitting herpes is contact.
Treatment of streptoderma
The program and duration of treatment directly depends on the severity and form of the disease. With the right approach, it does not take more than 10 days. These are necessarily local preparations for direct treatment of the affected areas, antibiotics for oral administration, physiotherapy and folk remedies.
Antiseptic treatment of lesions
It is produced using antiseptic agents. They treat the affected areas, disinfecting, preventing the spread of infection and drying the wounds. It is important to apply antiseptic not only to them, but also to surrounding areas. To speed up healing, you can pierce the conflicts with preliminary disinfection of the needle and cauterize the wounds with an antiseptic.
As the latter, such popular remedies as brilliant green, potassium permanganate, fucorcin, hydrogen peroxide, and salicylic alcohol are often used. But, each of them has its own side effects in the form of burning, subsequent dryness and tightness of the skin.
The best option for antiseptic treatment of streptococcal lesions is the pharmaceutical drug Rivanol 0.1%. This is a time-tested disinfectant composition that does not cause discomfort when used even on open wounds. It is worth noting that Rivanol leaves marks on skin and clothing, so it requires careful handling. But it effectively blocks and destroys pathogenic bacteria and quickly restores the skin.
You need to treat conflicts with an antiseptic several times a day. If the skin in their place is roughened, it is recommended to lubricate it with salicylic petroleum jelly. Such procedures will have to be repeated until the skin is completely cleared of traces of streptoderma.
Antibiotic therapy
It is prescribed only based on the results of bacterial culture - you need to find out which antibiotic can suppress the activity of pathogenic microflora. Penicillin drugs are most effective in the fight against streptococcus, but they have their own contraindications and side effects. In addition, in most cases, along with streptococcus, other bacteria also “work” on the skin.
Depending on the severity of the condition and medical history, the doctor prescribes local or systemic treatment.
- Local.
It involves applying antibiotic ointments. This is done 2-3 times a day. The ointment relieves inflammation, suppresses infectious activity and ensures wound healing.
- Systemic.
Along with local medications, antibiotics are prescribed for oral administration for a course of 5 to 14 days. The specific drug and its dosage are determined by the doctor individually. Taking antibiotics is also accompanied by the prescription of antihistamines, means to maintain normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as measures to strengthen the immune system.
It is not recommended to purchase and take antibiotics locally and orally on your own - streptococcus is not sensitive to all drugs. What worked well once may turn out to be ineffective or ineffective now.
Immunomodulators
In case of a protracted course of the disease, the doctor will prescribe drugs with an immunomodulating effect. Usually these are intramuscular injections such as pyrogenal, neovir, levamisole. They significantly increase the body's resistance and help quickly defeat infection.
In case of a standard, not advanced course of streptoderma, vitamins of groups A, B, C, E and P are prescribed in parallel with the main course of treatment.
Physiotherapy
UV irradiation helps suppress the activity of pathogenic microflora. Ultraviolet light has a detrimental effect on streptococcus, quickly drying the affected areas and promoting skin regeneration.
Traditional methods
As an addition to the main course of treatment, it is recommended to make lotions and treat the affected areas with infusion of oak bark, sage, chamomile, and string. This should be done after antiseptic treatment (but not immediately, but at least after 15-20 minutes) and in between applying antibiotic ointment. The above compositions have a pronounced anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and wound-healing effect.
Why do cold sores appear on the lips?
Those who suffer from herpes have noticed that exacerbations begin along with ARVI. Herpes occurs when immunity decreases, the protective forces of which are used to suppress ARVI. Colds on the lips also appear when the body’s defenses are weakened: with chronic fatigue, lack of sleep, frequent stress, poor diet, alcohol abuse and active smoking, in women at the beginning of pregnancy and in the first 5-7 days after childbirth.
Photo: Colds on the lips can only appear if the immune system is weakened
Diagnosis of streptoderma
You shouldn’t rely on chance and herbs, which have been used to treat all kinds of skin diseases since ancient times. In the absence of proper treatment, itchy and bursting sores lead to serious complications, including glomerulonephritis and rheumatism. Timely and high-quality diagnosis allows you to correctly identify the symptoms of streptoderma.
- Visual inspection.
An attentive doctor records all visible manifestations of infection. It is difficult to confuse streptoderma with other skin diseases.
- Anamnesis collection.
Complaints, information about chronic and recent inflammatory infectious diseases, living conditions, contacts with infected people, and bad habits are important.
- Bac sowing.
For scraping, they take the discharge from the wound, inoculate it in a nutrient medium and determine the specific pathogen - streptococcus or not. At the same time, its sensitivity to antibiotics of various groups is revealed. If there are problems with blood vessels, reduced immunity and its obvious deficiency, bacterial culture is contraindicated.
- Additional research.
These include OAC and OAM, detailed blood biochemistry, blood analysis for thyroid hormones, Wasserman reaction, HIV, and helminth testing. The activity of streptococcus is confirmed by high ESR, leukocytosis, and C-reactive protein.
Many doctors make a diagnosis based on the first three points. Rarely does anyone prescribe treatment for streptoderma after a full course of examinations.
How does herpes manifest?
In medicine, it is customary to distinguish 5 stages of the development of herpes simplex: 1. The first stage occurs when blisters appear. It manifests itself as burning and itching in the lip area, and its swelling. 2. The second stage begins with the appearance of bubbles. At first small, they grow and fill with clear liquid. After a couple of days the liquid becomes cloudy. 3. The third stage of the disease is characterized by rupture of the vesicles. In place of the burst blisters, ulcers with swelling form. This stage is dangerous due to the development of complications. The person at this moment is very contagious. 4. In the fourth stage, the ulcers become covered with a dense crust. 5. At the fifth stage, the crusts dry out and fall off. The symptoms go away. The person becomes no longer contagious.
Prevention of streptoderma
Prevention of streptodemia in children and adults is based on compliance with the following four points.
- Hygiene comes first.
Regularly washing your hands with soap and washing your face is taught from the cradle, but, unfortunately, not everyone makes this rule a habit. Resorcinol, sulfur, and tar soap are recommended for hands and face. Showers should be regular, a sauna or bath at least once a week, or more often. It is necessary to wash your hands before and after eating, using the toilet, contacting pets, and returning from the street. Under no circumstances should there be dirt under the nails - it is often hidden by a spectacular manicure.
- Healthy lifestyle
If you cannot play sports or exercise, spend as much time as possible in the fresh air and ventilate the room more often. Hardening is very effective in strengthening the immune system, but you need to get used to it gradually.
- Complete nutrition.
It should be sufficient, but not excessive in calories, regular and frequent (at least 3 times a day). Include more vegetables, legumes, fruits, meat, fish, and dairy products in your diet.
- Treatment of damaged skin.
At the slightest cut, abrasion, or abrasion, treat it as quickly as possible with an antiseptic: chlorhexidine, brilliant green, or better yet, Rivanol 0.1%. The latter does not pinch, does not burn and restores the skin well, just be careful - it leaves yellow marks.
- Control of chronic diseases.
Do not delay visiting a doctor if there is another exacerbation of an ulcer, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, diabetes, etc. Advanced varicose veins also greatly reduce the immune system and lead to a decrease in the protective barrier of the skin.
Do you have translucent, itchy yellowish blisters or sticky spots around your mouth? No amount of baby oil, powder, or brilliant green can do this. Streptoderma requires a serious professional approach to treatment. Using only traditional methods can only lead to complications. Treat the first sores with an antiseptic, for example, Rivanol (it should definitely be in your home medicine cabinet), and immediately see a doctor.
How can herpes be dangerous?
Herpes can cause many complications. Some of them are life-threatening.
- Bacterial complications. Most often, bacteria simply attach to the virus and the blisters fill with pus. If the blisters have already burst, then the ulcers become covered with pus, the pain in the lip becomes unbearable and a crust does not form.
- Herpetic stomatitis is a lesion of the oral mucosa. The disease begins with a sharp increase in temperature, salivation and sharp pain when chewing food. There are many blisters in the mouth, similar to herpes on the lips.
- Herpetic eye damage begins with pain in the eyes and lacrimation. A person cannot open his eyes due to severe pain. A dangerous condition that can result in blindness.
- Herpes of the esophagus. Occurs when herpes spreads from the lips. There are difficulties when swallowing, severe pain, refusal to eat and weight loss.
- Herpetic pneumonia and herpetic hepatitis occur in people with immunodeficiency and occur together with bacterial and fungal processes.
- Herpetic damage to the nervous system occurs in the form of meningoencephalitis and is the most severe form of herpes. It begins with a sharp headache, nausea and vomiting, high fever, movement disorders and convulsions. The disease is unfavorable.
Photo: To avoid complications, you need to start treating herpes in a timely manner.
Surrender who can
Before you begin treatment, you first need to make sure that it is really the herpes virus type 1. Because blisters on the lips can also occur when infected with the genital herpes virus (type 2), which is already more dangerous. Therefore, it is better to take a test such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction). The material you will need is blood and the contents of the vial. This study will help determine the type of virus (there are 8 types in total), as well as determine the degree of infection activity. But it’s easier to donate blood for antibodies to herpes simplex viruses types 1 or 2. If the virus is in the body, there will be antibodies.
And if relapses of the disease (primarily genital herpes) occur frequently and cause a lot of suffering, then antiviral medications will have to be taken for several months. Immunomodulatory therapy, antiherpetic vaccine and ozone therapy also play a role in complex treatment.
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