Is There An Ointment For Herpes

What Are The Best Natural Remedies For Herpes

When experiencing a herpes outbreak, one of the most important things someone can do is keep the area clean, cool, and dry, since heat and dampness can irritate the sores. Maintaining a healthy immune system can go a long way too, according to Dr. Hayag. âA strong, healthy immune system can keep herpes under control, prevent outbreaks, and reduce the duration of symptoms,â she says. âSupplements like zinc, vitamin C, and echinacea are vital to increasing your immune function and easy to incorporate into your daily routine.â And when it comes to natural remedies, there are several that can provide much-needed relief.

How To Get Rid Of Cold Sores As Quickly As Possible

If you have frequent outbreaks, you can talk to your healthcare provider about trying oral antiviral medications. Some studies show that they can speed healing of a herpes outbreak when compared to a placebo .

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your healthcare provider will weigh the risks of taking these medications against any benefit. Herpes simplex virus infections are usually not dangerous during pregnancy, but there are some cases where they can be. A healthcare professional can decide if you need to take this drug . Taken by mouth, antiviral medications like acyclovir have been shown to cross the placenta, but there isnt evidence of the medication causing harm so far.

Genital Herpes And Pregnancy

Its really important to speak to a healthcare worker if you have herpes during pregnancy, especially if its your first outbreak. Theres a risk that your baby can develop neonatal herpes which can be very dangerous or even fatal for the baby. If you have herpes, your healthcare provider will be able to prescribe antiviral treatment to keep your baby safe and help you have a healthy pregnancy.

Speak to a healthcare worker for more information or if you have any concerns.

References

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How Common Is Genital Herpes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 40 million to 50 million adults in the United States have genital herpes. HSV II infection is more common in women and in people who have had more than five sexual partners. Most people with HSV II do not know they have it, because it does not always cause symptoms.

Propolis As Good As Acyclovir For Herpes

The British Dental Journal published a letter in 2006 with the statement that propolis might be as effective for the treatment of the herpes simplex virus as the pharmaceutical herpes treatment drug, acyclovir.

The letter cited a 2000 study published in Phytomedicine. In this Russian study, ninety participants took either a placebo, acyclovir ointment or a propolis ointment as a treatment for herpes simplex virus- 2.

The participants were divided into groups of thirty each and were to apply the various ointments four times a day at the blister stage of any genital herpes outbreaks. Each participant was examined on days three, seven, and ten.

On day ten, twenty- four out of thirty participants in the propolis ointment group had healed. In the acyclovir ointment group, fourteen participants had healed. Only twelve of the placebo grouped had healed by day ten.

The study concluded that the healing process was faster with a propolis ointment containing flavonoids.

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How To Get Rid Of Itchy Skin

Studies show that antibiotics, particularly those in the penicillin and sulfa groups, are the most common cause of drug allergies. Most drug allergies are usually limited to hives, swelling, and skin rashes, but some people experience rare and life-threatening reactions, called anaphylaxis. Drug allergies are caused by your immune system mistaking the antibiotic for a foreign substance .

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What Are The Treatments For Cold Sores

You cant cure HSV or a cold sore, but you can alleviate the pain it causes by avoiding spicy or acidic foods, applying ice, and using over-the-counter remedies. Look for medicines that contain numbing agents such as phenol and menthol to reduce cracking and soften scabs. Abreva is an over-the-counter topical remedy used to help speed healing and minimize pain from a cold sore. It must be used many times a day to speed the healing.

If your cold sore is especially painful or irritating, your doctor may prescribe an anesthetic gel to alleviate pain or an antiviral oral medication to speed healing or prevent recurrence. The antiviral medicines available for treatment include acyclovir , famciclovir , and valacyclovir . These oral medications are more effective when started within the first 48 hours of the outbreak. Valacyclovir is more expensive, but is better absorbed in the digestive tract and therefore more reliable. Acyclovir and another antiviral medication called penciclovir also come in a topical form.

Cold sores can become complicated by a bacterial infection, so it is also important to keep them clean by washing gently with soap and water as needed.

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What Is Aciclovir Cream

Its an antiviral cream used to treat herpes infections affecting the mouthcold sores. It cant be used for infections affecting the eyes, and is recommended to treat genital herpes.

How do I know I need to use the cream? cold sores are most contagious during an outbreak. You should start using the cream at the first sign of an infection . It is best to start using it at this stage before the cold sore is visible, as treatment is more effective. You can use it once your cold sore has appeared but the cream may not always work.

What are the dosages available? The cream is available in a strength of 5%, which means there is 5 g of the active ingredient, aciclovir in 100 g of cream.

How do I apply it? the cream is applied five times a day for four days to treat cold sores. You can apply it for a total of ten days if you still have symptoms. Use the following steps when applying it:

• Always wash your hands before and after applying aciclovir cream
• Apply it approximately four hours apart. Applying the cream at evenly spaced intervals makes it more effective as the amount of aciclovir absorbed into your skin remains constant
• If you forget to use the cream, use it as soon as you remember and continue as before. However, if it is nearly time for your next application, then skip the missed application
• Contact your doctor if your cold sore hasnt healed after 10 days or if your symptoms get worse during treatment
• Use the cream within 4 weeks of opening

Treatment The First Time You Have Genital Herpes

You may be prescribed:

• antiviral medicine to stop the symptoms getting worse you need to start taking this within 5 days of the symptoms appearing
• cream for the pain

If you have had symptoms for more than 5 days before you go to a sexual health clinic, you can still get tested to find out the cause.

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Can I Get A Ointment For Genital Herpes For A Reasonable Price

A ointment for genital herpes is supposed to be a lifelong companion. You will enjoy faster opening times, better quality, and a better view by paying more for your product. Likewise, a new ointment for genital herpes costs between $$$ and $$$. You miss out on some luxury features, but its still a great deal.

Symptoms Of Genital Herpes

Many people who have genital herpes may not be aware they have the infection, because they may not have any symptoms.

The first episode of herpes can cause considerable pain and distress. Symptoms of the first episode may include:

• flu-like symptoms such as feeling unwell, headaches and pains in the back and legs, with or without enlarged glands in the groin
• small blisters around the genitals these break open to form shallow, painful ulcers, which scab over and heal after one to two weeks
• small cracks in the skin with or without an itch or tingling
• redness or a distinct rash
• some people also have considerable pain and swelling in the genital area, and hence may have additional pain and difficulty passing urine.

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What Are The Side Effects Of Acyclovir Ointment

Topical acyclovir ointment is usually well tolerated. When you use a topical ointment to treat herpes labialis, you may experience adverse effects, including burning, itching, and tingling where you apply the treatment or dry, flaky skin in that area . These side effects typically go away quickly.

In rare instances, some people may experience an allergic reaction to acyclovir. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever experienced an allergic reaction when using other antiviral medications . Signs of an allergic reaction include sudden swelling in the lips, face, or mouth, hives, itching, and difficulty breathing. If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek medical attention immediately.

Topical acyclovir ointment is for external use only . Keep this product out of reach of children and only use this product according to the medical advice youve received from a healthcare professional.

How Do Dermatologists Diagnose Herpes Simplex

During an outbreak, a dermatologist often can diagnose herpes simplex by looking at the sores. To confirm that a patient has herpes simplex, a dermatologist may take a swab from a sore and send this swab to a laboratory.

When sores are not present, other medical tests, such as blood tests, can find the herpes simplex virus.

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How To Treat Deep Cuts

Around 90 percent of women tear in some way during vaginal delivery, according to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. If you have a vaginal cut or tear that results from childbirth, your midwife or doctor should give you detailed instructions for how to care for the area.

If a tear has reopened or a new tear has occurred, its important that you seek immediate medical attention. Delaying care may result in long-term complications.

During the healing process, you may find it helpful to:

• Rinse the area with sterilized water. Use a small bottle with a narrow plastic tip to do this. Your doctor may advise you to rinse after every time you use the bathroom or after every cleaning.
• Wear a pad for the first several days to help draw any blood away from the cut and keep the area clean.
• Take OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help ease your pain.

If youve experienced a sexual assault, you shouldnt try to treat the wound on your own. Your doctor or healthcare provider can assess your symptoms and help you care for any lacerations or bruises that have occurred. They may also prescribe pain killers or other medication to help you treat your symptoms.

How Should This Medicine Be Used

Topical acyclovir comes as a cream and an ointment to apply to the skin. Acyclovir cream is usually applied five times a day for 4 days. Acyclovir cream may be applied at any time during a cold sore outbreak, but it works best when it is applied at the very beginning of a cold sore outbreak, when there is tingling, redness, itching, or a bump but the cold sore has not yet formed. Acyclovir ointment is usually applied six times a day for 7 days. It is best to begin using acyclovir ointment as soon as possible after you experience the first symptoms of infection. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use topical acyclovir exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your symptoms should improve during your treatment with topical acyclovir. If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Acyclovir cream and ointment are for use only on the skin. Do not let acyclovir cream or ointment get into your eyes, or inside your mouth or nose, and do not swallow the medication.

Acyclovir cream should only be applied to skin where a cold sore has formed or seems likely to form. Do not apply acyclovir cream to any unaffected skin, or to genital herpes sores.

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Key Benefit: Fda Approved And Available Over

How Abreva works:

The active ingredient in Abreva is Docosanol 10%, also known as behenyl alcohol. This is a type of alcohol traditionally used as an emollient, emulsifier and thickener in cosmetics and supplements.

Abreva has been shown in clinical study to shorten the healing time of cold sores. When Abreva is applied to cold sores it helps to soothe any irritation and strengthens the cell membranes to prevent the infection becoming worse.

Directions:

Apply 5 times a day for up to 10 days.

More Information:

Prevention Of Genital Herpes

The best protection against STIs is to always use barrier protection such as condoms, female condoms and dams . Because herpes is spread by skin-to-skin contact, condoms will reduce the risk of transmission, but it will not protect sexual partners completely as condoms do not cover the entire genitals.

Using lubricant with a condom during sex will also reduce the risk of trauma to the genital skin. This has been shown to reduce HSV transmission, especially in the first six months of a sexual relationship. Silicone-based lubricants are recommended.

Remember that herpes transmission can occur when symptoms are present , but may also occur even if there are no genital symptoms through asymptomatic viral shedding.

For people who have frequent episodes of genital herpes, antiviral medication, taken daily, helps to reduce transmission of herpes to a sexual partner.

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How To Take Acyclovir

Use Acyclovir exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not take by mouth. Topical medicine is for use only on the skin.

Start using acyclovir as soon as possible after the first appearance of symptoms .

Wash your hands before and after applying this medicine.

Apply only enough cream to cover the cold sore or tingly area.

Apply only enough ointment to cover the genital lesion completely. Wear a glove or a finger cot or use a cotton swab when applying the ointment to avoid spreading the virus to other body parts and to other people.

Acyclovir topical cream is usually applied 5 times daily for 4 days. Acyclovir topical ointment is usually applied 6 times daily for 7 days. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

How To Prevent Cold Sores

Cold sores can have many different triggers, including stress and long periods of sun exposure. Noticing and managing these triggers, when possible, may help reduce the frequency of cold sores.

If sun exposure is a trigger, using a lip balm that contains SPF and a sunscreen on the face may help.

Cold sores are highly contagious. To prevent the spread, a person should not:

• touch the cold sore, unless they are applying medication or a remedy
• kiss or have oral sex, as the virus can spread during these activities

After touching a cold sore, wash the hands thoroughly with soap and water.

A person can typically treat their cold sore at home with over-the-counter medication or home remedies. However, consider seeing a doctor if a cold sore:

• is large or very painful
• is not healing on its own
• keeps coming back

People with weakened immune systems should also speak with a doctor about the need for prescription antiviral medications.

Here, we look at some common questions about cold sore creams.

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Related Resouruces For Herpes

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This article is not medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.

Genital Herpes Is Spread By Skin

The virus can be spread when someone with HSV has an episode or an outbreak characterised by having a sore, blister, ulcer or skin split . It can also be spread between episodes, when there is no sore, blister, ulcer or skin split present called asymptomatic viral shedding.

During viral shedding the virus is on the skin surface and can be spread through genital skin-to-skin contact, or from the mouth or face to genital skin during contact.

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