Lidocaine Ointment Directions For Genital Herpes
For adults, the elderly and children for pain relief:
How Is Genital Herpes Treated
Genital herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus . The virus causes an outbreak of blisters which are common herpes symptoms. Treatment is with antiviral medication to help prevent and control outbreaks.
If youre unsure if you have herpes, you can take a genital herpes test at home.
There are 3 main types of treatment for genital herpes:
Aciclovir tablets are used for outbreaks of genital herpes or cold sores to treat the symptoms. They can also be used to prevent outbreaks from happening if you get them often. How much you take and how long you take them for can vary depending on what youre using it for whether youre using it to treat an outbreak or to prevent future outbreaks.
Valaciclovir tablets are known as a pro-drug, which means your body converts it into aciclovir after you take them. Like aciclovir tablets, they can be used to treat symptoms or to prevent outbreaks.
A doctor may prescribe famciclovir tablets if you find that aciclovir or valaciclovir havent worked for you.
What Can I Do To Prevent Frequent Herpes Recurrences
There is no need to change your lifestyle or take steps to prevent recurrences until you know whether or not you are going to get any. You will see plenty of internet sites offering dubious treatments that are unnecessary and probably have no effect for treating herpes.
These suggestions to help control outbreaks come from people with genital herpes, based on their own experiences. The HVA cannot confirm that any of them will work for you, but we believe they are worth considering:
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What Is A Cold Sore
A cold sore, or fever blister, is a small but painful blister that develops on or around the lips. They sometimes appear in small clusters of two or more sores. Cold sores usually result from infection with the herpes simplex virus type 1 , a very common viral infection.
HSV-1 spreads through saliva and from the skin around the mouth. The most common ways to infect another person are through intimate contact such as kissing or oral sex. It’s also wise to avoid sharing straws and drinks with others during a cold sore outbreak.
Even though cold sores are caused by a herpes virus, a cold sore on your lip does not mean that you have genital herpes. The two conditions are caused by similar viruses, but genital herpes is considered a sexually transmitted infection and usually results from infection with the herpes simplex virus type 2 .
There is no cure for either type of herpes virus. Once you’ve been infected, the virus hides in your nerve endings until a trigger “wakes it up” again to cause an outbreak of sores. After the outbreak, the virus returns to dormancy until the next trigger.
How Effective Are Medications For Herpes
Prescription antiviral medications have proven effectiveness in managing HSV symptoms.
A 2017 study comparing the antiviral medications acyclovir, famciclovir, penciclovir and valacyclovir to treat herpes simplex labialis found all antiviral medications were effective to shorten healing time for lesions and reducing pain. The comparison study found valacyclovir had the fastest healing time and pain reduction.
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What Is Episodic Treatment Of Genital Herpes
Episodic treatment of genital herpes involves starting a course of antiviral tablets as soon as you notice symptoms of an outbreak, such as tingling or redness on an area of genital skin.
Taking medication at the first signs of an episode will help to reduce the length and severity of symptoms. It may also ward off an outbreak if you start taking the medicine as soon as you notice warning signs of a recurrence.
This type of treatment is often the preferred treatment for people who dont have genital herpes outbreaks very often.
What Happens If I Overdose
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
An overdose of numbing medicine can cause fatal side effects if too much of the medicine is absorbed through your skin and into your blood. Symptoms may include uneven heartbeats, seizure , slowed breathing, coma, or respiratory failure .
Lidocaine and prilocaine applied to the skin is not likely to cause an overdose unless you apply more than the recommended dose.
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What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, with the cap on and tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture . Never leave this medication in your car in cold or hot weather.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
About Herpes Local Anaesthetic Gel
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Using herpes local anaesthetic gel
Wash and dry the affected area. Apply the gel as needed to the affected area. Wash your hands afterwards.
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Side effects of Instillagel
Some people might experience an allergic rash or local skin irritation when using the gel.
For full information on side effects and correct use, see the patient information leaflet. If any side effects concern you, contact us via your Patient Record.
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Effectiveness of Instillagel
Works immediately to ease pain and irritation. Instillagel does not affect the duration or severity of an outbreak.
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How Instillagel for herpes works
Instillagel, is a local anaesthetic gel. Its active ingredient is lidocaine hydrochloride 5%, which numbs the area it’s applied to.
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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.
What Should I Watch For While Using This Medication
Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.
Do not get this medicine in your eyes. If you do, rinse out with plenty of cool tap water.
This medicine can make certain skin conditions worse. Only use it for conditions for which your doctor or health care professional has prescribed.
Be careful to avoid injury to the treated skin while the area is numb and you are not aware of pain.
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Conditions Hydrocortisone Creams Cannot Treat
Hydrocortisone is not useful as a treatment for hives . This is because hives are caused by histamines, not skin inflammation.
Histamines are chemicals produced by the immune system in response to allergens, which are allergy-causing substances. An overreaction can sometimes cause a rash.
In this case, an oral antihistamine may be the best treatment choice. At the same time, hydrocortisone cream may be prescribed to relieve itchiness and swelling.
Hydrocortisone cream has its limits. Don’t count on it to relieve:
- Acne. In fact, the cream could make it worse.
- Broken skin, including blisters, boils, ulcers, or chancre sores.
- Rosacea and impetigo. The cream can upset both conditions.
The point should be clear: Using hydrocortisone cream on these problems would be a little like using a shop vac on a small kitchen fire. It’s a fine tool but the wrong one for the job.
You may use hydrocortisone cream on children. But be careful, especially with infants and toddlers. Speak with your pediatrician before using hydrocortisone cream to treat eczema or diaper rash. Other products may be gentler and work just as well on little ones.
Before Using Topical Acyclovir
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to acyclovir, valacyclovir , any other medications, or any of the ingredients in acyclovir cream or ointment. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any condition that affects your immune system such as human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome .
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using acyclovir, call your doctor.
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What Side Effects May I Notice From Receiving This Medication
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention :
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Possible Side Effects Of Benzocaine
The most common side effect of benzocaine is a temporary stinging at the site of application until the numbing kicks in. However, long term use of benzocaine can also cause a serious but rare side effect called methemoglobinemia.
Benzocaine can cause methemoglobinemia by itself, but the risk increases when used in combination with certain other drugs. The greatest risk is for children under the age of two, which is why benzocaine products should not be used for this age group.
Methemoglobinemia is a life-threatening condition of the blood that deprives vital body tissues and organs of oxygen. It must be treated immediately. Symptoms of methemoglobinemia include:
- bluish tint to the skin
- shortness of breath
To see which drugs increase your risk of developing methemoglobinemia while using benzocaine, consult this list of known drug interactions. It includes prilocaine and sodium nitrite as well as phenobarbital, nitroglycerin, metoclopramide and many more.
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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
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.
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Stage : Ulcer Eruption
This stage can be the most painful cold sore stage, as the blisters burst, leaving open sores.i You may also see a red ring of inflammation around the affected area. Stage 3 is the most infectious stage, so take care to avoid spreading the virus until your cold sore has completely healed and disappeared.
The HSV-1 virus is highly contagious. It spreads through skin-to-skin contact or via the moist inner skin that lines the mouth, eyes or genitals. iv In most cases, the virus causes a mild infection, but it poses a more serious risk for newborns and those with a weakened immune system. It can also be sight-threatening if it reaches your inner cornea, the transparent layer at the front of your eye, and is left untreated.ii
Avoid touching your cold sore and always wash your hands after applying cream or before touching your eyes, genitals, or areas of broken skin. Avoid sexual contact and do not share any personal items that may have come into contact with your saliva, such as cutlery or toothbrushes.iv
Dont pick or peel the scab as you may damage the delicate, new skin underneath, slowing the healing process, and even leading to scarring. Let the scab fall off naturally.
Cold Sore Scab Stage
Can You Cure Herpes
Unfortunately, theres no cure for herpes. The virus stays inactive in your body and activates from time to time to cause outbreaks, months or even years after youre first infected. This is when you get symptoms. Antiviral medication for herpes can only help control the outbreaks or suppress the virus.
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Overdose: What Happens If I Take Too Much Valtrex
If you take too much Valtrex, it can lead to acute kidney damage. This is a medical emergency that can cause toxicity in your body and the inability to make urine.
Hemodialysis is a procedure that helps your body eliminate toxins and balance fluidthis may be necessary until your kidney function is restored.
Find A Doctor You Feel Comfortable With
While some doctors have a special interest in sexual health, others may not be familiar with, or comfortable discussing, these issues. Finding a doctor with whom you can openly and comfortably discuss these issues is important. There are doctors who specialise in this area: some are in private clinics, while others belong to sexual health services. There are also sexual health services in country areas. All sexual health services are strictly confidential.
Talk to your doctor if you are feeling worried about the impact of genital herpes on your sex life, relationship or future relationships. Your doctor can give you advice on how to discuss sexually transmitted infections with your partner, and can recommend support groups.
References
1. Genital ulcer disease . In: eTG complete. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited 2016 Jul.http://online.tg.org.au/complete/ .2. BMJ Group. Patient information from the BMJ Group: Genital herpes . http://bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/pdf/patient-summaries/532420.pdf 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Genital herpes CDC fact sheet . http://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm .4. Australian STI Management Guidelines for use in primary care. Herpes . http://www.sti.guidelines.org.au/sexually-transmissible-infections/herpes .
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