What Cream Can You Put On Herpes

How Is Genital Herpes Diagnosed

You should always have the primary infection of genital herpes diagnosed by a healthcare professional. If you develop any symptoms of genital herpes it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. This is because the infection is much easier to diagnose when its still active. If the HSV has reverted to a dormant state then the laboratory analysis may come back as negative, meaning a conclusive diagnosis will not be possible until you suffer a recurrent outbreak.

Your doctor or sexual health specialist may ask:

• If this is the first time you have experienced these symptoms.
• If you have ever suffered from cold sores .
• If you have ever had a sexually transmitted infection .
• About your history of sexual partners.

For a conclusive diagnosis a swab will be used to collect a sample of fluid from one of the blisters. This sample will then be sent to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will be able to identify the presence of the herpes simplex virus.

Recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes can then be self-diagnosed and treated as long as the symptoms remain the same and the outbreaks do not get worse.

Why Herpes Should Not Be Popped

Herpes blisters is the result of viral infection affecting your immune system. As a result, the blisters occurring across your infected skin are infectious. These blisters are filled with fluid carrying infectious virus. While it might be common to pop acne pimples, popping herpes blisters filled with herpes simplex virus should be avoided.

When herpes blisters are popped, the fluid discharges, spreading another infection on various sections of your skin. This may either result in other fever blisters, which are either red, white or clear, or cause invigorating pain on broken sores. Popping fever blisters is also not recommended as this may pass the disease to other people with weak immune system. The simplex virus continues replicating during each stage of the herpes, which makes it still likely for the others to be infected from the infectious fluid.

The problem will likely be worse when you pop the blisters with unsterile needles or hands. In addition to a viral infection, herpes blisters are also medically considered as an open wound. When you are accessing this wound with any unsterilized devices, you are likely to worsen the infection, as these devices might carry germs that might spread to the infection site. These germs can possibly harm the skin tissues, causing superficial damages resulting in scars, which may stay even after the breakout subsides.

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What Causes Genital Herpes Flare Ups

Hormones. Hormonal changes, like those that occur in the menstrual cycle, can affect genital herpes outbreaks. Surgery, weak immune system. Trauma to the body, such as having surgery, may make herpes symptoms appear.

What can be mistaken for herpes? Herpes symptoms can be mistaken for many other things, including:

• A different STI which causes visible lesions, such as Syphilis or genital warts
• Irritation caused by shaving.

What triggers a herpes outbreak? Triggers for recurrence Illness, stress, sunlight, and fatigue can trigger recurrent herpes outbreaks. In women, menstrual periods may trigger an outbreak. When did I become infected? The first time a person has noticeable signs or symptoms of herpes may not be the initial episode.

Is Sudocrem antibacterial? In addition, the emollient effect of Sudocrem can help to soothe sore inflamed skin whilst leaving the skin feeling soft. Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream can also be used for other skin conditions that require a soothing, protective antiseptic cream with additional healing, antibacterial and antifungal properties.

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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.

Keeping Herpes Outbreaks To A Minimum

I HAVE HERPES, WHAT NOW?Besides going to your doctor and getting the prescribed therapy, there are a few lifestyle tips that can help make a Herpes outbreak more bearable. I have listed them below.

1) Always keep the affected area clean and dry2) Try to avoid touching the area during an outbreak, but if you do touch it, wash your hands immediately after contact3) During the hot months, avoid excessive heat or sunlight, sometimes these can trigger an outbreak4) As tempting as it might be, do not break open the blisters. This will not shorten the length of time that they stay.5) You may feel as if you have invented some new therapies, but you should not use sprays, feminine deodorants, or douches,6) You should also avoid putting petroleum jelly, alcohol, antibiotic cream or ointment, or cortisone cream or ointment on genital herpes because they will sting and they will not help heal the sores any faster.7) Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing. Save the fitted clothes for times when you are not having an outbreak.8) You have to figure out what works for you, try a warm bath. Some find it soothing and others think that it hurts.9) When you are finished showering or bathing, use a blow dryer set on low or cool to dry the genital area.

WHEN SHOULD SOMEONE CONSIDER SUPPRESSIVE THERAPY

DAILY SUPRESSIVE MEDICATION ASK YOUR DOCTOR WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU

Valcyclovir HCL 1GM Orally Each Day

Valcyclovir HCL 500MG Orally Each Day if Less Than 9 Outbreaks Each Year

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Does Herpes Need To Be Treated

Treating herpes simplex symptoms may not be necessary. Herpes simplex infections clear up even if no treatment is given. But treating genital herpes can be helpful particularly if there are severe symptoms. Some people are affected more than others. See below for the rare occasions when it can be serious.

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How To Apply Aciclovir Cream

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer’s printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about using aciclovir cream and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from using it.
• Apply the cream five times a day. The best way to do this is to use it every four hours during the day . Dab the cream on to the area rather than rubbing it in. This will minimise any damage to the blisters, which could cause pain and spread the virus around.
• Start using the cream at the first sign of infection and continue to use it for five days. This is often sufficient time for the sore to heal but you can continue to use the cream for a further five days if needed. Remember to wash and dry your hands before and after using aciclovir, to prevent spreading any infection.
• If you forget to use the cream, apply it as soon as you remember and then continue using it again at your usual times.

Use An Antiviral Medication

Topical over-the-counter meds dont work as well as prescription antivirals as cold sore treatments, says Bruce Robinson, M.D., a dermatologist in private practice in New York City and clinical instructor of dermatology at Lenox Hill Hospital. Over-the-counter creams may provide relief from the tingling and burning, but they arent the best option if you want sores gone fast.

The best way to treat cold sores is to start treatment earlyin that prodromal stagewith a prescription oral antiviral medication like valacyclovir , says Lorraine Young, M.D., co-chief of dermatology clinical services at UCLA.

A common regimen is to take 2,000 milligrams in the morning and again later on in the day. This âdecreases the virus from replicating, so then it will help it to heal faster, says Dr. Young. It may even prevent the cold sore from erupting in the first place.

Theres even a newish way to get this medicine theres a form of acyclovir that you can put between your lip and gum on the side the cold sore is erupting on. It sits there and dissolves slowly throughout the day, offering your body a steady stream of the medicine to tame the 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 Is Genital Herpes Treated

There is no cure for genital herpes. However, it is possible to reduce the symptoms using anti-viral medicine. This is most effective when started within 72 hours of the first symptoms.

Medicines can help control outbreaks if they are frequent or severe. Anti-viral medicine can reduce the risk from passing the virus on to a sexual partner.

The symptoms can also be helped by:

• gently bathing the area with a warm salt solution
• pain medicine, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
• local anaesthetic ointment or cream
• urinating while sitting in a warm bath, if urination is painful

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Do Natural Remedies Help

There are several options that can be tried to ease the pain. A73612 and Donnor52059 suggest dabbing cornstarch directly on the sores. I can’t find any scientific studies that have researched this, but I can’t see that it would do any harm.

A73612 also recommends squirting water from a bottle over the sores when you pee. This is a time-honoured method that will help to ease the pain.

Yolandayw mentioned taking a simple painkiller such as paracetamol during an outbreak. Feelbroken advised putting Vaseline on the sores. Lidocaine 5%, a local anaesthetic gel that numbs the area, is another option. Some people find it helpful to put on five minutes before passing urine. You need to get it on prescription and it doesn’t suit everyone. Some people develop sensitivity to it which makes the symptoms worse.

Yolandayw also advised using ice as a home remedy. Simply wrap the ice in a tea towel and apply for 5-10 minutes. Never put ice directly on the skin as this can cause ‘ice burn’. Drinking plenty of water can also be helpful as it reduces the concentration of urine, making it less painful when you have to pee.

D91907 mentioned putting aloe vera gel on the sores. There is some scientific evidence that aloe vera is useful for both genital and oral herpes.

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.

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Is There Anything I Can Do To Relieve The Symptoms Myself

In some women, genital herpes blisters cause pain when urinating . Many of them find it soothing to pee while sitting in warm, shallow water . You can do this using special tubs that fit into toilet bowls. They are available at a reasonable price, for instance from pharmacies or on the internet. It’s best not to use soaps or bath additives because they can irritate the affected area even more. Other things you can do to avoid irritating it further include wearing loose-fitting clothes and underwear made out of fabrics that have a smooth surface.

Painkillers such as ibuprofen are an option if the blisters become very painful.

Topical antiviral treatments such as creams or ointments don’t provide any relief, but they can increase the risk of viral resistance. Experts advise against using topical treatments for genital herpes.

To Use Acyclovir Cream Follow These Steps:

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What Is The Usual Treatment For Genital Herpes

The doctor may prescribe antiviral tablets to speed up healing and reduce the severity of a first episode. Aciclovir is the most commonly used antiviral drug for treating genital herpes. You dont need the tablets if the first episode is mild, or if you have almost recovered before you see the doctor.If you get more episodes later on, you will be less likely to be offered with antiviral tablets as outbreaks clear up without treatment.To prevent a recurrent outbreak with antiviral tablets, you need to start taking them within 24 hours of noticing the beginning of the outbreak. When you start after 24 hours, it is unlikely that the tablets will have much effect. This is why you should have a prescription or tablets ready, so that you can start to take them as soon as possible see dosing information below. Members can ask for our antiviral drug fact sheet see subscription form. And we offer self-help suggestions too.

Can I Use Abreva On Genital Herpes

Asked

30 Oct 2011 by Rachel_Marie22

Official Answer

Abreva is indicated for the treatment of cold sores around the mouth caused by Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1. Abreva is not to be used on genital herpes which is most commonly caused by Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2

There is no medication to cure your body of the genital herpes virus. Treatment is aimed at easing symptoms, reducing the frequency of recurrences and reducing transmission.

Symptoms can be improved by:

salt bathsice packs to the affected areapain-relieving medication such as acetaminophenantiviral medication such as acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir. These can reduce the severity of an episode if taken early enough .

Topical antivirals like Abreva usually used for cold sores on the lips or face are not appropriate for use on the genitals.

For more information see:

+0Sapphyreopal5

If you have HSV-1 genitally, I donât see why not. Of course as with anything you put on the skin, test it somewhere else beforehand. For those who are saying no you canât because HSV-2 causes genital herpes and HSV-1 causes cold sores, they are not 100% correct . While most cases of oral herpes is HSV-1, itâs possible for them to be caused by HSV-2. There are also more cases of HSV-1 being found in the genital region, possibly due to the decreased number of people having HSV-1 orally say in childhood. HSV is NOT a site-specific virus .

+0dixie12488CAMPOSPAULAK

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