How To Manage Genital Herpes With Compresses
Warm and cold compresses are the simplest natural treatment for genital herpes. Though the idea of a compress might sound old fashioned, research shows that topical therapy can effectively alleviate symptoms of genital herpes outbreaks and even contribute to the prevention of outbreaks when used promptly.
Here are a few tried-and-true natural compress ideas to get you started:
- -Dry, warm compress using warmed rice in a sock
- -Cold compress using an ice pack or soft washcloth filled with ice
- -Baking soda paste
- -Crushed garlic cloves mixed with olive oil
- -Topical apple cider vinegar using one-part ACV and three-parts warm water
Femiclear Yeast Infection 1 Day Dose
Price: $26.99
FemiClear Yeast Infection 1-day dose includes a vaginal ointment and an external itch relief ointment, each weighing 0.5 ounces. The company claims that the ointments may provide relief from itching, irritation, and discharge.
The vaginal ointment formulation contains ingredients such as:
- oxygenated olive oil
The external relief ointment contains the following ingredients:
CUROXEN does not contain the following ingredients:
- petrolatum-derived products
When applying CUROXEN, people should first clean the affected area. They should then apply a thin layer of the product at least three times a day or as needed.
Below is some information about FemiClear services that people may find useful when purchasing FemiClear products:
Suppressive Therapy For Recurrent Hsv
Suppressive therapy reduces frequency of genital herpes recurrences by 70%80% among patients who have frequent recurrences . Persons receiving such therapy often report having experienced no symptomatic outbreaks. Suppressive therapy also is effective for patients with less frequent recurrences. Long-term safety and efficacy have been documented among patients receiving daily acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir . Quality of life is improved for many patients with frequent recurrences who receive suppressive therapy rather than episodic treatment . Providers should discuss with patients on an annual basis whether they want to continue suppressive therapy because frequency of genital HSV-2 recurrence diminishes over time for many persons. However, neither treatment discontinuation nor laboratory monitoring is necessary because adverse events and development of HSV antiviral resistance related to long-term antiviral use are uncommon.
Valacyclovir 500 mg orally 2 times/day for 3 daysOR
Valacyclovir 1 gm orally once daily for 5 days
*Acyclovir 400 mg orally 3 times/day is also effective, but are not recommended because of frequency of dosing.
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Home Remedies For Herpes
There is currently no cure or vaccine for either HSV-1 or HSV-2.
Prescription medications have been proven safe and effective in reducing pain and partially suppressing the herpes virus during active outbreaks.
But many natural treatments and home remedies can complement these treatments and help to soothe outbreak symptoms in their own right.
In recent years, scientists have expanded their research into the antiviral properties of certain natural remedies.
If proven effective in the future, these remedies could be especially important in battling infections that have become resistant to prescription antivirals.
Baking Soda For Genital Herpes
During the blistering phase of your genital herpes outbreak, you may want to try using baking soda. In addition to keeping the area dry and making it less hospitable to bacteria, baking soda may help to gently speed up the drying of your herpes blisters.
To try this method, mix pure baking soda with a little water until it forms a thick paste. Apply the paste to your sores with a cotton swab or cotton ball, being careful to use a new swab each time so you don’t contaminate your baking soda mixture.
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Herpes Causes And Risk Factors
Causes of herpes include acquiring the virus through sexual contact, coupled with immune system suppression and sometimes nutritional deficiencies.
HSV-1 is primarily transmitted by oral-oral contact. On the other hand, HSV-2 is considered a sexually transmitted disease and usually passed during oral or vaginal sex.
A scary finding is that more cases of genital herpes than ever before are now being caused by HSV-1 , and about 85 percent of people with genital herpes dont even know it. Studies show that about 50 percent of the new genital herpes infections in young adults are due to HSV-1 and about 40 percent in older adults. The fact that most people dont ever find out theyre infected is one of the reasons that transmission rates are steadily climbing.
Risk factors for acquiring herpes include:
- Kissing someone who has symptoms of an active herpes virus
- Engaging in any form of unprotected sex
- Having sex with multiple partners
- Spreading the virus through contact with cold sores on the eyes, secretions on the fingers, or ulcers/sores on buttocks and upper thighs
- Having certain other illnesses that lower immune function, such as HIV/AIDS, an autoimmune disorder or hepatitis
- Eating a poor diet that causes nutrient deficiencies and lowered immunity
- Smoking cigarettes, drinking high amounts of alcohol or abusing drugs
How To Take Valtrex
Valtrex is a tablet that should be swallowed. You can take Valtrex with or without food. It is important to stay hydrated when using Valtrex.
If you are taking Valtrex for cold sores, chicken pox, shingles, or genital herpes, start treatment as soon as possible after your symptoms start. Initial signs of infection may include tingling, itching, or burning, or when the sore appears.
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Diet And Supplements For Herpes
Many health practitioners, including traditional and alternative, consider the amino acid lysine to be a first line of defense in controlling herpes. Interest in lysine as a treatment for herpes began when laboratory research showed that when lysine is added to a herpes virus culture its growth was inhibited.
There are other dietary supplements that play a key role in controlling herpes as they support immune function. They include: Vitamins A, E, C, B-6, B-12, and the minerals selenium and zinc.
Licorice acts as an overall tonic, and has anti-inflammatory as well as antiviral properties. Burdock and dandelion cleanse the liver and enhance immune system function. Siberian ginseng helps the body deal with stress and improves energy.
Keeping the body pH level in balance is crucial since herpesvirus grows three time faster in an acidic environment.
Foods that foster acidity include most highly processed foods, coffee , soft drinks, sugar, alcohol, white vinegar, tomatoes, red meat, fried foods, and white bread. If you have a tendency toward frequent outbreaks, you may want to eliminate these foods from your diet.
Fresh, whole foods particularly green and yellow vegetables, fruits , legumes and whole grains, especially millet, yams, green salads and high quality protein such as chicken and fish promote an alkaline state that discourages growth of herpe rvirus.
Impact of Stress and the Immune System
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Coconut Oil For Genital Herpes
Besides being great for cooking, coconut oil can provide some significant health benefits. In some cultures, the coconut tree is even referred to as the tree of life. Clinical studies on coconut oil and its components have even backed some of these benefits:
Not enough evidence exists yet on coconut oil for genital herpes to prove that it directly treats herpes lesions however, its many beneficial qualities may soothe irritated skin around outbreaks and moisturize dry herpes scabs.
Monolaurin, a coconut-oil-derived fatty acid, has also shown some promise as a natural treatment for genital herpes.
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When To See A Doctor
Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you suspect that you are experiencing an initial outbreak of genital herpes, or are experiencing especially severe and frequent recurrent outbreaks.
Its especially important to consult your doctor about initial or recurrent genital herpes outbreaks if you are pregnant, are trying to become pregnant, or if you have a compromised immune system.
Talk to your doctor about which herbal treatments or oral supplements they recommend, if any, as a complementary treatment.
Customer Reviews And Brand Reputation
FemiClear does not have Trustpilot or Better Business Bureau registration. However, the company website features several customer reviews.
These reviews generally praise the quality of FemiClear products and state that the ointments are easy to apply and work immediately. Customers also generally report that the genital herpes items are effective in relieving itching and burning.
However, some people reported a burning sensation after applying HClear, suggesting that this product may not be suitable for people with sensitive skin.
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Expect The First Outbreak To Be The Worst
Remember that although herpes lasts a lifetime, the first outbreak typically causes the most pain, while later outbreaks tend to be much milder.
You will always have herpes, and the sores will come and go, but you can decide not to treat the current outbreak. If its not that unpleasant or uncomfortable, some patients will do that, says Gade.
Olive Leaf Extraction Method
Olive leaves were collected in Mid-November and dried at ambient room temperature, and the powdered extract was stored in dark until further usage. The powder was dissolved in 100 mL of extraction solvent that was made of 80% ethanol at 60°C. The mixture was filtered using Whatman filter paper NO: 1. The extract was evaporated at room temperature under vacuum conditions. The leaves were obtained at the best possible time of the year, which had the highest amount of active ingredients washed, dried, and hydroalcoholic extract was extracted. The extract analysis using the HPLC showed that the active ingredient, oleuropein, was 0.475 mg/g of the total extract. The ointment was prepared in 2% and was provided to the patient.
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Types Of Antiviral Drugs
There are three oral antivirals recommended for the treatment of oral or genital herpes:
| Famvir, 250 mg | Twice daily |
Preventing genital herpes recurrence is important as it reduces the risk of HIV. According to the CDC, having an active genital herpes infection increases the risk of HIV by 200% to 300%.
Using Hydrocortisone Cream For Skin Rashes
Hydrocortisone cream is a topical steroid used to treat mild inflammatory skin conditions, commonly referred to as dermatitis.
Hydrocortisone cream is available over the counter in different strengths, such as 0.5% and 1.0%. It is also available by prescription, at a strength of 2.5%.
Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid, similar to a hormone produced naturally in your adrenal glands. It works by easing the swelling, itching, and redness caused by dermatitis.
Hydrocortisone is also an ingredient used in a number of antibacterial or antifungal preparations, such as in athlete’s foot creams and diaper ointments.
This article explains the conditions that hydrocortisone cream can treat, those it cannot, how to use the cream, and the possible side effects.
Anupong Thongchan / EyeEm / Getty Images
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Complementary And Alternative Medicine
Some people use natural therapies to treat herpes, either on their own or to support standard medical care. The research supporting their use is generally weak, with little evidence that they can reduce either the severity or duration of an outbreak. Even so, many people swear by their effectiveness and consider them a vital part of managing herpes outbreaks.
Complementary and alternative therapies sometimes used to treat herpes include:
- Propolis: This is a sticky substance produced by bees that may help speed the healing of genital herpes. A 2017 study found that people who used propolis ointment experienced better healing by the 10th day of treatment compared to those who used a sham ointment.
- Algae extract: Lab studies suggest that algae extract can inhibit the growth of HSV-2 in test tubes. Whether it can do so in humans has yet to be proven.
- Acupuncture: A 2011 study concluded that acupuncture was mildly effective in reducing pain caused by the herpes zoster virus , the type of herpes virus that causes shingles. While this suggests that acupuncture may be useful in easing genital herpes pain, this has yet to be proven.
What Are The Side Effects Of Valtrex
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. A medical professional can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a medical professional. You may report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 800-FDA-1088.
Valtrex can cause several side effects, most of which are not dangerous. However, some serious side effects can occur.
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When Stress Triggers A Herpes Outbreak These Complementary Therapies May Calm It Down
A healthy lifestyle and the right supplements may offer relief from genital herpes.
A healthy lifestyle and the right supplements may offer relief from genital herpes.
Anna Ivanova/Alamy Alamy
A viral infection causes genital herpes, and there is no cure for it. But if you have genital herpes, you can use complementary approaches to reduce how often you have outbreaks. Some alternative therapies can also provide relief from discomfort and pain during outbreaks that do occur.
This kind of viral outbreak , and other viruses, like a cold, is usually related to stress and your immunity, says Lucy Gade, MD, MPH, the medical director at the Center for Wellness and Integrative Medicine at Northwell Health, in Oyster Bay, New York. As a result, an alternative medicine approach to herpes treatment involves making smart lifestyle choices to foster your general wellness. In doing so, you bolster your immune systems ability to fight the two viruses that cause herpes, herpes simplex virus 1 and herpes simplex virus 2 .
A healthy diet, appropriate sleep, finding ways to decrease stressors in your life These alone will make your herpes outbreaks less frequent, says Dr. Gade. Such healthy habits will also improve your overall well-being, lengthen your life, and boost your happiness.
But first, make sure you have an accurate diagnosis for whats causing your symptoms.
Another Alternative For Genital Herpes Outbreaks
If you prefer natural remedies but want to try something backed by more extensive clinical research, you may want to consider light therapy. You may not already have this treatment in your kitchen cabinet, but its a proven therapy that allows you to avoid pharmaceuticals in the comfort of home.
Multiple studies show that red light therapy not only reduces the pain of a genital herpes outbreak, it also decreases the viral load in peoples systems, potentially decreasing the severity and frequency of recurring outbreaks.
The Luminance RED Genital Sore Treatment Device is an FDA-registered, handheld device that harnesses similar waves of red light for the management of genital herpes blisters without the use of chemicals.
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Dosage: How Much Valtrex Should I Take
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form :
- For treatment of chickenpox:
- Adults and children below 2 years of ageUse and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- Children 2 to 18 years of ageDose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, taken three times a day for 5 days. However, the dose is usually not more than 1000 mg three times a day.
- For treatment of cold sores:
- Adults2000 milligrams every 12 hours for one day.
- Children 12 years of age and above2000 milligrams every 12 hours for one day.
- Children below 12 years of ageUse and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For treatment of genital herpes, first outbreak:
- Adults1000 milligrams two times a day for ten days.
- ChildrenUse and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Femiclear For Genital Herpes Symptoms Multi Symptom
Price: $59.99
FemiClear for Genital Herpes Symptoms is a topical ointment that the company claims may help relieve the symptoms of genital herpes outbreaks. FemiClear states that the treatment is not a cure for herpes.
The formula contains ingredients such as:
- colloidal oatmeal
The company recommends that people apply the product at least four times a day and as often as necessary thereafter.
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Symptoms Of Genital Herpes In Females
Getting a menstrual period can cause an outbreak of genital herpes.
Also, a person may mistake the symptoms of genital herpes for those of a yeast infection or bladder infection.
Genital herpes can spread in the following ways:
- receiving oral sex from a partner with a cold sore
- touching a herpes sore, then touching the genitals
- a baby can contract genital herpes during birth if the mother has the virus
People can sexually transmit the virus even if they have no visible symptoms.
It is not possible to contract genital herpes from toilet seats, bedding, swimming pools, or touching other objects. The virus can only spread from human-to-human contact.
Best For Skin Barrier: Vaseline 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly
- Price: $3.2917.70
- Pros: available in a range of sizes, suitable for sensitive skin
- Cons: reports of product hygiene issues from online sellers
A person can purchase Vaseline online through Amazon.
Vaseline states it is hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive, dry skin.
It also claims that its product helps seal in moisture, which may help the skin heal naturally. Additionally, petroleum jelly creates a barrier between the skin and outside elements.
This Vaseline product may be best suited to people with cold sores.
Vaseline costs between $3.2917.70, depending on the tub size.
Pros: suitable for smaller budgets, high volume per bottle, third-party testedCons: limited research into the effectiveness of L-lysine for herpes
These caplets are suitable for vegetarians and free of allergens such as yeast, wheat, gluten, milk, and lactose. They are also free of sugar.
CVS Pharmacy claims these caplets may help support healthy skin, collagen production, and tissue maintenance.
CVS states it requires third-party testing for all supplements.
The company recommends taking one caplet a day on an empty stomach. Each pill contains 1,000 mg of L-lysine.
CVS Pharmacy L-Lysin Caplets cost $11.29.
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