What is herpes?
Many people have already experienced a herpes infection in their lives. These painful little blisters on the lip heal on their own after some time. But for some people, they unfortunately return again and again at indefinite intervals.
How do these painful blisters develop?
They often announce themselves by a slight tingling sensation and a feeling of tension on the lip. Anyone who has ever had herpes will know exactly. It usually doesn’t take long and the small bubbles fill with liquid. This fluid is highly contagious and contains a very high concentration of herpes viruses. It is the herpes simplex viruses type 1 that cause cold sores. Anyone who has been infected with the herpes viruses and that is almost 90 percent in Germany will unfortunately not get rid of them. After a few days, the bubbles burst and a crust forms, which peels off after a few days. From the first tingling sensation to healing, it usually takes seven to ten days.
How does an outbreak of herpes viruses occur?
Once you have been infected with herpes viruses, you carry them forever. The viruses often lie dormant unnoticed in the nerve nodes for many years or decades until they are reactivated.
A new outbreak may occur if:
- the immune system is weakened
- in case of a high stress factor
- in case of fever
- in strong sunlight
- due to hormone fluctuations
- by disgust
Do herpes blisters occur only on the lips?
Herpes blisters occur predominantly on the lip. However, herpes can also occur in other places. On the nose, on the eyes or in the genital and area.
What to do against herpes blisters?
The herpes blisters should not be pierced under any circumstances. Because the bubbles filled with viruses would spread and spread much faster. Also, you should not touch them with your fingers or at least wash your hands thoroughly immediately afterwards. If it has blurred one, pharmacies offer ointments with the active ingredients penciclovir or acyclovir, which work well and can shorten the infection.
Are there effective home remedies?
Anyone who starts treatment at the first tingling sensation can also achieve good results with home remedies. For example, with honey, because honey has antiviral and antimicrobial properties. The juice of the aloe vera plant also has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Tea tree oil has a disinfecting effect. The tannins of black and green tea have an anti-inflammatory effect. The oil of lemon balm relieves swelling and redness and can prevent the viruses from multiplying further.
Some arginine-rich foods are thought to promote herpes.
These include:
- Pumpkin seeds
- Soybeans
- Peanuts
- Pine nuts
- different types of nuts
- Wheat germ
- Tuna
What should you pay attention to during infection?
So that the viruses are not distributed unnecessarily, good hygiene is particularly important during this time. Wash your hands every time you touch or apply active ingredients. Do not scratch the blisters, healing will only be delayed. Do not share crockery, cutlery and towels with other people. Wash towels and washcloths at 60 degrees.
The good thing about a herpes infection – in most cases, the spook is over after a good 10 days!