How To Get Rid Of Oral Herpes At Home

Types Of Antiviral Drugs

There are three oral antivirals recommended for the treatment of oral or genital herpes:

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%.

Im Pregnant How Could Genital Herpes Affect My Baby

If you are pregnant and have genital herpes, it is very important for you to go to prenatal care visits. Tell your doctor if you have ever had symptoms of, or have been diagnosed with, genital herpes. Also tell your doctor if you have ever been exposed to genital herpes. There is some research that suggests that genital herpes infection may lead to miscarriage, or could make it more likely for you to deliver your baby too early.

Herpes infection can be passed from you to your unborn child before birth but is more commonly passed to your infant during delivery. This can lead to a potentially deadly infection in your baby . It is important that you avoid getting herpes during pregnancy. If you are pregnant and have genital herpes, you may be offered anti-herpes medicine towards the end of your pregnancy. This medicine may reduce your risk of having signs or symptoms of genital herpes at the time of delivery. At the time of delivery, your doctor should carefully examine you for herpes sores. If you have herpes symptoms at delivery, a C-section is usually performed.

Get Rid Of Herpes Fast Find Out How

How to Find Natural Treatments for Herpes?

There are a range of excellent natural treatments for herpes. The best way to find all of them at once is to get a natural treatment for herpes e-book today. This type of e-book is so easy to find online, especially in light of the fact that its filled to the brim with the most gentle, safe and effective natural treatment tips.

When you download this type of electronic book today, youll access the perfect template for natural herpes treatment. This means step-by-step instructions on how to tailor your lifestyle with a mind to preventing herpes outbreaks and reducing the severity of symptoms during outbreaks.

Without this type of e-book, you may miss out on learning about the best natural treatment options. Since an e-book wont cost much, youll find that its a cost-effective way to access the expert knowledge that you need. For example, an e-book of this type will allow you change your diet with a mind to combating herpes, while also giving you the ability to select the right supplements.

Related: Herpes Cure Secrets Natural Cure for Herpes Type 1 and 2

While these two tips just scratch the surface, they are definitely really important! What you put into your body has the power to make your herpes symptoms less drastic. It may even make them disappear.

Note: This Page was last updated on Sunday 21st of August 2022

Also Check: Can You Get Hiv From Herpes 2

Learn How To Get Rid Of Herpes With Natural Ways

Why Choose Natural Treatments for Herpes?

Antibiotics wont relieve herpes symptoms or prevent outbreaks. The most common prescription-strength treatments are therefore oral medications which are antibiotic, as well as creams which are applied topically. While these medications and creams do work for some sufferers, they tend to trigger side effects which may be rather unpleasant.

To help you understand why prescription-strength medications arent perfect treatment options, lets look at one popular prescribed medication for herpes and explore its pros and cons

Valtrex is the name of this medication, although it may also be referred to as Valacyclovir. Its an anti-viral medication which was approved by the Food & Drug Administration in summer of 2009.

For natural or homeopathic ways to rid yourself of herpes, you can look into various things such as vitamin B supplements added to your daily routine or even consuming foods such as seaweed, nutritional yeast, whole grains and bee pollen. A lot of people have also had great success while using tea tree oil and aloe vera to help lessen the onset of outbreaks or getting rid of some of the discomfort that can come along with it.

This medication works pretty well on herpes simplex outbreaks. It gets results by decreasing the virus asymptomatic shedding. It also helps to reduce the risk of the virus being transmitted. While these pros are good, the cons are pretty bad.

This medication increases the risk of renal failure.

Help Prevent Future Cold Sores

Though the virus that causes cold sores does not have a cure, there are measures you can take to prevent outbreaks. These preventive measures include:

• Understanding your cold sore triggers. Figuring out what sets off your cold sore outbreak can help you keep them away in the long term. Some common cold sore triggers include anxiety, sunburn, exhaustion, hormonal changes, the common cold, or minor scratches or injuries to the lip. You may need to avoid excess sun exposure, find ways to reduce anxiety levels, or take other actions to prevent future outbreaks.
• Replacing contaminated items. After you go through the healing process and get rid of your cold, make sure to replace your toothbrush, lip balm, and any other items that made contact with your cold sore and are not easily washed and disinfected. The virus that caused your cold sore can live on these items for days and cause your lips to become reinfected.
• Talking to your doctor or dentist. If you suffer from cold sores often, your doctor or dentist may recommend taking an antiviral medication regularly to help prevent outbreaks. They can also help you identify possible triggers and recommend lifestyle changes to decrease your chances of getting cold sores.

Cold sores can be annoying, painful, and inconvenient. When you have an important event on your calendar, use these tips to get rid of a cold sore fast, prevent future outbreaks, and restore your lovely smile.

Also Check: How To Relieve Genital Herpes Pain

Can You Get Rid Of Herpes For Good

It is not possible to be permanently cured of herpes. Once infected, an individual carries the sexually-transmitted infection for the duration of their life. While various treatments and remedies can effectively treat and slow the progression of HSV-1 and HSV-2, no cure has been discovered for the disease.

How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Getting Genital Herpes

If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of getting genital herpes:

• Be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who is not infected with an STD
• Using latex condoms the right way every time you have sex.

Be aware that not all herpes sores occur in areas that are covered by a latex condom. Also, herpes virus can be released from areas of the skin that do not have a visible herpes sore. For these reasons, condoms may not fully protect you from getting herpes.

If you are in a relationship with a person known to have genital herpes, you can lower your risk of getting genital herpes if:

• Your partner takes an anti-herpes medication every day. This is something your partner should discuss with his or her doctor.

Read Also: How Are You Tested For Herpes

Don’t Miss: Can Herpes Type 2 Be Cured

Who Might Get Herpes Simplex

People of any age can contract herpes simplex. You are more likely to get the virus if you:

• Were assigned female at birth.
• Have had multiple sex partners.
• Started having sex at a young age.
• Have a history of any sexually transmitted infection .
• Have a weakened immune system.
• Dont use condoms for intercourse and dental dams for oral sex.

Who gets HSV-1, commonly known as oral herpes?

Anyone can get HSV-1. Most people contract HSV-1 during childhood. It spreads when an adult who has the virus has close contact with a child, such as when a family member kisses a child.

Who gets HSV-2, commonly known as genital herpes?

Genital herpes affects sexually active teens and adults of all genders and races. It can spread if you have multiple sexual partners and dont use condoms or dental dams.

People assigned female at birth are more at risk. Delicate vaginal tissue can tear, making it easier for the infection to get in. Black people who were AFAB are especially vulnerable, with an estimated 1 in 2 people AFAB between the ages of 14 and 49 infected with HSV-2.

How Long Does A Herpes Outbreak Last

Dr. Anna E. Pickering

Dr. Anna E. Pickering

Medically reviewed by Dr Anna Pickering, PhD in Cell & Molecular Biology. Postdoctoral fellowship at Oregon Health & Science University. Anna grew up in Oregon & has a love for science and writing.

From the onset of initial symptoms, herpes takes an average of 2 to 3 weeks to go away with proper treatment.

Every case of herpes is different depending on the person. There are many factors that can alter the amount of time it takes a herpes outbreak to clear. Some of these include:

• What type of herpesâHSV-1 or HSV-2 you are suffering from
• How many herpes outbreaks youâve had in the past
• How frequent your herpes outbreaks are
• If you are taking preventative antiviral medication or using suppressive therapy
• If you have already started treatment for this outbreak

Read Also: How Fast Does Herpes Go Away

Read Also: Is Herpes Tested In Std Tests

Best Affordable Herpes Test: Healthlabs

HealthLabs offers laboratory-based herpes tests. These may be the best option for people who do not have health insurance and those working with small budgets.

After placing an order, the person receives a laboratory requisition form, which they need to print out and present at a laboratory. The company claims it has 4,500 laboratory locations, and individuals should receive their test results within 23 business days.

HealthLabs has three herpes tests available for purchase:

• a test for HSV-1, which costs $45
• a test for HSV-2, which costs $45
• a test for HSV-1 and HSV-2, which costs $79

People may also order at-home tests for other STIs, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV.

To order either herpes test, a person must access the company website and enter their ZIP code to find their nearest testing center.

The company claims it has over 4,000 private test centers across the United States.

After ordering the herpes test, a person can walk into their local center to receive the testing. An appointment is not necessary.

The test procedure involves a simple blood test and urine sample, which typically takes a matter of minutes. A person can expect to receive their online test results within 13 days.

Treatment For Herpes On Finger

Herpes on finger cures on its own within 3-4 weeks without any treatment. However, the treatment is recommended to fasten the healing process, reduce the symptoms, control outbreaks and to prevent the chances of recurrence. The most commonly prescribed antiviral medication is acyclovir. It is administered in five days course. Other medications helpful in treatment are valacyclovir and famciclovir. Over-the-counter painkillers can be taken to relieve pain. Topical anesthetic cream can be applied on the affected area.

In addition to this treatment, you can go with some easy-to-follow home remedies and self-care measures. You should keep the sores clean and dry. Dont touch them frequently to prevent the virus from spreading. Application of cold tea bags is found to be helpful in inhibiting viral activity and decreasing the frequency of outbreaks. You can use baking soda or cornstarch in the form of paste prepared in water. This helps to keep the blisters dry, which accelerates healing of sores.

Don’t Miss: How Long Does It Take To Get Rid Of Herpes

Prevention Strategies For Non

If your partner has herpes but you dont, you may be able to reduce your risk by taking an antiviral prior to sex. The strategy, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis , may be appropriate if your partner has frequent outbreaks or your immune system is weakened by HIV or other causes.

If you are an adult, the symptoms of herpes are usually pretty manageable and only rarely cause complications. However, herpes can be very dangerous if it is transmitted to a growing baby during pregnancy.

If you have genital herpes and are pregnant, or if you are sexually involved with someone who is pregnant or planning to get pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about managing the risks.

Recommended Reading: Can Herpes Cause Stomach Pain

How Can You Treat Cold Sores Naturally

Generally, cold sores can heal on its own without treatment within a few weeks. However, if you experience a frequent reoccurrence of cold sores, you must see us, our dentists, who then may prescribe antiviral medication/injection or lip cream or laser treatment in some cases. We can’t stress enough that you need to call immediately and seek help at your first symptoms or outbreak, pain, swelling or the typical tingling feeling are the most commonly reported symptoms.

You can also try these natural remedies for treating cold sores:

• Ice – Soothe your cold sore by applying an ice pack.
• Over-the-Counter Creams – Use these creams to manage pain or to keep the skin soft when healing. Sunburns resulting from exposure to the sun can also trigger a cold sore, so use sunscreen to prevent it.
• Pain-Relievers – Apply over-the-counter painkillers to manage pain.
• Tea Tree Oil/ Peppermint Oil – Use tea tree oil or peppermint oil to heal cold sores.
• Propolis – Being a man-made form of beeswax, this ointment can be used to treat cold sores.
• Manuka Honey – Produced by New Zealand bees, this honey is as effective as a topical medication to treat cold sores.
• Lemon Balm – Use lemon balm extracts to heal your cold sores.
• Lysine – Use lysine cream or its capsule form to treat cold sores.
• Vitamin C and E – Both Vitamin C and Vitamin E can help inactivate the Herpes Simplex Virus and prevent cold sores.

Recommended Reading: What Medicine Can You Take For Herpes

Takeaways: How To Get Rid Of A Cold Sore

Cold sores are caused by a virus known as HSV-1 . Symptoms like tingling, itching, or burning generally start 2-10 days after exposure to HSV-1, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

For most people, a cold sore outbreak lasts about 2 weeks. You can shorten the outbreak with over-the-counter antivirals like Abreva.

Many home remedies, like bee propolis or kanuka honey, may fight cold sore infections.

You can treat cold sore pain with ice, a cold compress, or anti-inflammatory or pain relieving medications.

Avoid touching/picking at a cold sore, as this could spread the infection or worsen the outbreak.

If you have severe pain, open eczema sores near your cold sore, or experience frequent cold sore outbreaks, call your doctor.

What Are The Possible Complications Of Oral Herpes

Autoinoculation from touching a cold sore on the lip can cause herpes of the finger . Autoinoculation occurs most commonly at the time of primary infection, when viral shedding is high and the immune system is still gearing up to contain it. The antibodies that are made after primary infection are usually but not always successful in preventing autoinoculation during recurrent attacks.

A more serious complication is infection of the eye, or ocular herpes . It may be a mild surface ulceration with little discomfort, or it may cause deeper, painful ulcers that threaten vision. Ocular herpes is also caused by autoinoculation. If not treated, ocular herpes may lead to serious damage or even blindness.

Rarely, herpes simplex may infect the brain, causing encephalitis. This infection requires hospitalization and intravenous antiviral medications. HSV-1 is among the commonest causes of fatal viral encephalitis worldwide.

In immunocompromised people, such as those with HIV infection or those receiving chemotherapy, severe outbreaks of herpes may occur. Colds sores may spread to large parts of the lower face or invade organs. Antiviral drugs are used to prevent or lessen such attacks.

You May Like: Would I Know If I Had Herpes

How To Treat Cold Sore Pain

Home remedies and medications can reduce the pain caused by a cold sore. For effective cold sore pain relief, try:

• Ice or a cold compress
• Anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen
• Pain relievers like Tylenol
• Benzocaine or lidocaine gel to numb the affected area

Be sure not to touch or pick at your cold sore, as this can extend the length of your infection and cause more pain.

Best Subscription For Herpes Test: Letsgetchecked

The LetsGetChecked home kits can test for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. This test kit may be best for people who require regular testing as the companys subscription options can offer significant discounts.

A person receives a collection kit with all the tools they need to collect their samples at home. This includes needles, a prepaid envelope, alcohol swabs, and a tube. The tests come in discreet packaging so that other people will not know what the person has received.

The person also has access to an instruction video on the company website that explains how they should take their test. LetsGetChecked suggests that people take a blood sample before 9 a.m. and return it to the laboratory on the same day.

The company states that it issues the results within 25 days.

Individuals who receive a positive result can contact a nurse through the company, and they may suggest a treatment plan.

LetsGetChecked offers a one-time purchase for $119. Anyone who requires regular testing can purchase a LetsGetChecked subscription and get discounts on its tests. For instance, a 3-monthly subscription will give a person a 30% saving on the cost of the kits.

Read Also: How To Get Over Herpes