Natural Home Remedies For Genital Herpes

What Happens If Herpes Goes Untreated

The first outbreak of genital herpes can be the most severe and can cause complications such as vaginal yeast infections, urinating problems, and meningitis.

Treatment may not be necessary for subsequent outbreaks, but anyone experiencing very regular or severe outbreaks should speak with a doctor about preventive treatment.

Home Remedies For Hsv

Herpes is not a curable disease, but it is treatable.

There are many ways to lessen the severity and frequency of herpes flare-ups, including home remedies that can be used alongside prescription medications.

While most people who have herpes do not experience symptoms at all, others experience one initial outbreak, and others have recurrent outbreaks with painful sores, blisters, or lesions, most often on the mouth or genitals.

For these patients, the goal of treatment is to reduce discomfort, support the healing process, hasten remission, and reduce the frequency of future outbreaks.

In this article, Ill explore how home remedies can help accomplish these treatment goals.

Ill explain the difference between oral and genital herpes, and review the most common symptoms.

Ill go over the major dos and donts for herpes outbreaks.

Then Ill review the latest recommendations around home remedies for herpes, including dietary changes, and Ill explain how these home remedies can be used alongside other treatment options.

Ill discuss steps you can take at home to prevent herpes from flaring up and spreading.

And Ill tell you when to see a doctor about herpes.

What Are The Symptoms Of Genital Herpes

Signs of genital herpes may include:

• burning sensation on the genitals and thighs,
• appearance of small red blisters or sores on the genitals and inner thighs
• swollen lymph nodes in the groin
• it may or may not be painful
• vaginal discharge in women
• painful urination

Those infected with genital herpes often experience discomfort. They should avoid any sexual contact, as well as kissing during the symptoms of the infection. Although genital herpes is considered an incurable disease, it can be controlled and somewhat controlled with some natural remedies.

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Licorice Root For Herpes

Image: Shutterstock

What You Have To Do

How Often You Need To Do This

Repeat this every few hours.

Why This Works

Domeboro powder is a commonly used astringent in hospitals, especially for ulcers, sores, and lesions. It also relieves the pain and itchiness .

Let us now take a look at a few frequently asked questions regarding herpes.

How K Health Can Help

Did you know you can get affordable primary care with the K Health app? K doctors are able to treat herpes with medication, but patients must be diagnosed already. If youre worried that you might have genital herpes, a K doctor can refer you to a physician for an in-person visit. to check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed text with a doctor in minutes. K Healths AI-powered app is HIPAA compliant and based on 20 years of clinical data.

K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

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Cool Or Warm Compression

Cold or warm compression is an effective natural remedy to treat the symptoms of herpes. Applying heat can be helpful even if the sore has not developed completely. If a sore has already formed, warm compression can help in reducing the pain and inflammation. You can make a dry warm compress by filling a soft cloth with rice and heating it for a minute in the microwave. You can also use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Apply an ice pack or a clean, soft washcloth filled with ice on the sore affected area. You can even take frozen peas in a soft piece of cloth. You can use these compressions on the sores after every few hours.

Also read: Useful Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Fever Blisters Or Cold Sores

What Causes Genital Herpes

Two types of Herpes Simplex Virus or HSV are linked with Genital Herpes i.e. HSV2 and HSV1

HSV2 is specific for causing Genital Herpes and is transmitted through sexual contact. It is highly contagious even if there is no open sore on genital area.

HSV1 is the main cause of fever blisters around the mouth which causes genital herpes through the orogenital route

The HSV virus tends to enter the body through any cut in the skin or mucus membrane lining the openings in the body, like mouth, nose, and genitals. After entering the body, the virus enters cells where it multiplies and symptoms appear.

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Articles Ongenital Herpes Treatment

• Future Treatments

Scientists have studied alternative treatments, like herbal extracts and nutritional supplements, based on some genital herpes patients claims that they help relieve symptoms. Some study results have been promising, others discouraging.

Many people say that an extract of the echinacea plant helps boost the immune systems ability to fight the genital herpes infection. Some say it decreases the frequency and severity of genital herpes outbreaks. Researchers in the U.K. compared the effect of echinacea with that of a placebo. They gave echinacea to 50 people with genital herpes for six months and a placebo for another six months. There was no significant difference in the number of herpes outbreaks during the two periods.

Another study showed that an ointment containing propolis, a waxy substance that honeybees make, may help genital herpes sores heal. Sores healed faster for people using the propolis ointment than in those using ointments containing the antiviral drug acyclovir or a placebo. The ointment was applied to herpes sores four times a day. After 10 days, 24 of the 30 people using propolis ointment said their sores healed, compared with 14 of the 30 people using acyclovir ointment and 12 of the 30 using a placebo.

Researchers have also found that the herb Prunella vulgaris, and an edible mushroom, Rozites caperata , contain chemicals that fight both the oral herpes virus and the genital herpes virus .

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So What Is The Best Way To Manage Herpes

The best way to reduce symptoms and recurrence of Herpes is medically proven antiviral medication such as Aciclovir. This is available in both a tablet form for genital herpes and cream for lip sores. These medications can be purchased from a local pharmacy or from a trusted online pharmacy such as e-Surgery. Triggers for Herpes outbreaks include stress , a lowered immune system and friction to the area affected.

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Vi Take A Warm Bath With Epsom Salt:

Epsom salt is also used as an operative measure to treat the infection. You need to soak the infected area for about 15-20 minutes in half a bucket of warm water mixed with a handful of Epsom salt. Later, you could also soak yourself in a hot tub of bathing water mixed with Epsom salt for ½ an hour to relax the sore muscles and make your genital herpes recovery faster.

Reviews For Gotucream Organic Herpes Treatment Cream

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What Are The Signs Of Herpes In Children

The herpes virus can be spread to babies and children if they are kissed by someone that is infected and has active cold sores. Although rare, it is also possible to spread herpes to a child or infant by touch if a person touches their cold sore and then touches the baby or child.

Precautions can be taken to protect infants and other children from getting the virus. Avoid kissing children if you have a cold sore and ask other people not to as well. Wash your hands frequently if you have a cold sore and you are around children.

Apply Lemon Balm Essential Oil

You already know that lemons can clean almost everything in your house. Now, a review study suggests that lemon balm essential oil may kill the herpes virus in laboratory dishes. Since cold sores are caused by a herpes virus, this may be an effective cold sore remedy, per the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine. Plus, older research published in Phytomedicine shows that the antiviral properties in lemon may reduce swelling and blister redness, too. As you feel the tingle of a cold sore forming, apply a drop or two of lemon balm essential oil to the area, then hold an ice cube on top of the area for 10 minutes. After icing, spread a thin layer of petroleum jelly to protect the sore and prevent it from cracking. Repeat this process several times a day. Note: Sometimes if you react quickly enough, a cold sore wont emerge or its severity can be greatly reduced.

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Eat To Boost Your Immune System

Cold sores often occur when your immune system is weakened, according to Cedars-Sinai. To keep it strong, eat foods rich in vitamin C and zinc, both of which possess antioxidant powers. Berries, kiwis, citrus fruits, and melons are all high in vitamin C, and beans, poultry, shellfish, and whole grains are good sources of zinc. In addition to diet changes, your exercise and even your attitude may impact your immune system. So you may want to consider trying these simple habits to naturally boost your immune system.

Can You Test For Herpes At Home

Yes, there are at-home sexually transmitted infection tests for herpes.

LetsGetChecked is a health and diagnostic company that offers home laboratory testing services. The home Herpes Test checks for HSV-1 and HSV-2 by taking a blood sample from your finger.

Read more about at-home herpes tests here.

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Make A Licorice Root Paste

Licorice contains anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties, and an acid found in licorice root has been shown in studies to counteract symptoms and stop the cold sore virus from spreading. Some research has suggested that it can also be an effective remedy for canker soresa non-contagious sore that forms on the inside of the mouth and isnt caused by HSV-1.

For a cold sore, applying licorice powder or licorice extract topically may work best. Mix 1 tablespoon of licorice root powder with 1 teaspoon of petroleum jelly, and leave the cream on the sore for several hours or overnight.

Try Taking The Supplement Lysine

In terms of taking supplements to prevent breakouts, I especially recommend L-lysine. This is the primary supplement for herpes, Gade says. L-lysine is an amino acid, a building block of protein. When you have an outbreak, it can be taken orally to shorten the outbreak in conjunction with an antiviral medication.

Lysine appears to be useful in reducing the number and the severity of outbreaks. The usual daily dose is between 1 and 3 milligrams.

Some studies suggest that taking lysine regularly may help prevent outbreaks of both cold sores and herpes sores. In Gades experience, patients have had no side effects using lysine. In some people, though, there have been reports of the supplement causing abdominal pain and diarrhea.

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Herbal Remedies For Genital Herpes By Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda provides best combination of effective herbal remedies such as Herpi Care Pack for ayurvedic treatment of genital herpes. These herbal remedies are prepared from using best quality herbs and strictly follow the principles of Ayurveda. All these herbal remedies of Planet Ayurveda are 100 percent pure, natural and vegetarian. These are free from chemicals, additives and preservatives. These are safe to use as these are free from side effects.

How Far Away Is A Cure For Herpes

Theres currently no cure for herpes, but that might change in the future.

According to 2020 research published in Nature, scientists from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center removed 90 percent of the HSV-1 virus from cells in mice using gene editing.

However, it takes time to transition potential treatments from animals to humans. In a 2020 news article, one of the researchers that authored the Nature paper estimated that it would be at least 3 years before human trials.

Scientists are also researching the possibility of creating a vaccine to prevent herpes. A 2022 study outlined a new approach to developing an mRNA vaccine for herpes. The vaccine mentioned in the study worked well in mice and guinea pigs.

The researchers say that theyre aiming to conduct human trials before the end of 2022, and the vaccine could be available within the next 10 years.

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Best Zinc Supplement: Thorne Zinc Picolinate

• daily allowance of zinc, larger bottles are expensive

These zinc capsules are gluten, dairy, and soy-free.

Thorne claims that these supplements may support immune and reproductive health. Each capsule contains 30 mg of zinc.

The company recommends taking one capsule per day.

It is important to note that 30 mg of zinc is more than double the daily recommended value, which the National Institutes of Health states is 811 mg for adults.

A person can choose between bottles containing 60 or 180 capsules. They can also choose a bottle that holds National Sanitation Foundation certification for sport, meaning the product has been tested and found to be free of banned substances.

Thorne Zinc Picolinate 30 mg costs $1735.

• the medicinal plant Tripterygium hypoglaucum
• compounds in the oil of cloves and the essential oil of cinnamon and basil

A person can use oils in a diffuser, diluted in a carrier oil, added to a bath, or massaged on the skin.

People should not consume essential oils, as some are toxic and can cause harm.

When using essential oils for aromatherapy, it is also important to consider anyone else in the area. Some essential oils are harmful to pets and pregnant or nursing people.

Using a carrier oil is important, as the essential oil may cause adverse effects if a person applies it directly to the skin. Carrier oils

Some medications can lower the chance of spreading the herpes virus and reduce the severity and frequency of the symptoms.

Herpes Symptoms And Signs

In order to diagnose herpes, a health care provider can swab an area of visibly active herpes infection or, if symptoms arent active, a blood test can be given that measures the number of herpes antibodies present in the body. The antibodies dont indicate herpes itself, but rather show the immune systems response to the presence of the virus in the body. Its important to note that sometimes a swab can give false negative results since herpes lesions need to be large enough to yield enough detectable virus and if the outbreak is already healing it also may not be detected in a swab.

The most common herpes symptoms include:

• Developing either a single cold sore or cluster of multiple cold sores that form on the lips, inside the mouth, or on the genitals, buttocks and upper thighs.
• Sores can sometimes be severe, painful and rupture and cause fluid to be secreted out.
• Some herpes canker sores develop a thin, white coating and burn when touched while they healing.
• Around herpes cold sores, its common to feel pain, tenderness and other symptoms of a rash, such as redness or signs of swelling.
• Some people are able to tell before an outbreak if one is going to occur because they feel tingling, itchy sensations near the affected area.
• Some people develop other symptoms during herpes outbreaks that are similar to those caused by a cold or the flu. This may include fatigue, irritability, aches or a slight fever.

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Apple Cider Vinegar For Genital Herpes

Apple cider vinegar has become known for all kinds of wonderful health benefits as a food, including lowering your blood sugar and helping with weight loss. Evidence also demonstrates apple cider vinegar’s topical antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

However, applying undiluted vinegar to your nether regions could be extremely painful, especially with open sores present. Instead, mix one part apple cider vinegar with three parts warm or cool water and apply to the area. You could also fill a small hip bath or sitz bath basin with the mixture and soak the affected areas for several minutes.