Wednesday, March 27, 2024

What Over The Counter Medicine For Herpes

How Does Suppressive Treatment Work

An All Natural OTC Topical Product for Genital Herpes Outbreak Symptoms

Some people may have regular, more serious outbreaks of genital herpes, more than six times a year. In this case, you could get a low-dose antiviral treatment, which you would take daily for about 6 or 12 months. This is known as suppressive therapy and it helps to either stop the outbreaks completely or make symptoms less serious.

If you use this treatment, you would be asked to stop afterwards to see if your outbreaks happen less often and are less serious. If the outbreaks have not improved, you may be offered another long-term, daily dose of antiviral medication.

Donât Miss: How To Take Valacyclovir For Herpes

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.

Back to top

Related Resouruces For Herpes

* Prescription savings vary by prescription and by pharmacy, and may reach up to 80% off cash price.

Pharmacy names, logos, brands, and other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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.

Don’t Miss: What Can I Take For Herpes Outbreak

Features To Consider When Buying Cat Eye Drops

One product that cat owners should have on hand is a bottle or two of eye drops for their cats, especially if their furry friends frequently experience allergies or conditions that directly affect their eyes.

Cats that wander in and out of the house may occasionally get some irritants like dirt and dust in their eyes. Hence, even perfectly healthy cats would greatly benefit if their fur parents have readily available eye drops at home.

Since this type of medication often addresses symptoms and is not directly used for a full treatment of any ailment, they are safe to use daily. When buying, find a medication with these features to ensure that you get the best product for your furry friends:

Safe Ingredients. Examine the ingredients list and make sure that the eye drops youre getting are entirely safe to use even without a prescription from a veterinarian. One example of a safe ingredient is hypochlorous acid, a safe antimicrobial agent. Bear in mind that the use of incorrect medication may result in further irritation which we do not want to happen. If you find products that contain alcohol or bleaching agent, its best to avoid them.

Application.Find a product that is easy to apply. Some drops may come with droppers, which make it a lot easier for cat owners to administer the application of eye drops on their fur babies.

What Can I Do If I Have Herpes Simplex 2

Herplex Homeopathic Supplement 60pcs Oral / Genital Herpes &  Cold Sore ...

Many people who find out they have herpes feel depressed knowing theyll always have the virus and can give it to others. But you arent alone. Herpes is one of the most common STIs, both in the U.S. and worldwide. If you have herpes, you should:

  • Learn all you can about it. Information will help you to manage your disease and feel better about yourself.
  • Talk about your illness with your doctor.

If you have herpes, you can still:

  • Have sex if you use a condom or dental dam , and you tell your partner about your illness. Some couples, who have sexual relations only with each other, may choose not to use condoms even though one partner has herpes. Because each situation is different, you should ask your doctor if this is the right choice for you in your relationship.
  • Have children. People with herpes can still give birth to healthy babies. If you have herpes and plan to have children, discuss your illness with your healthcare provider.

If you have herpes, you should also get checked for HIV and other STIs .

Recommended Reading: Can Herpes Make You Feel Sick

Treatment Genital Herpes Over The Counter

Treatment of genital herpes over the counter is available in the form of over-the-counter medications, supplements, topical remedies, and at-home DIY measures. While these methods are generally not as effective as prescription medications, they can often be more comfortable and less expensive than traditional methods. Some of the most common over-the-counter drugs for genital herpes treatment are the following. Read on to learn about each one and which is right for you.

Antiviral medications can be used as needed. In most cases, you can take an antiviral drug for genital herpes over the counter at the onset of an outbreak. You can also take one of these drugs during the prodrome, the period before an outbreak. Antiviral drugs are an excellent choice for treating outbreaks of genital herpes. If you notice an outbreak early enough, these medications can shorten the duration of the outbreak by two to four days. Antiviral medications can also help prevent or treat complications.

The best genital herpes over-the-counter treatments are topical treatments containing antiviral drugs. Topical applications can relieve the pain and discomfort associated with genital herpes. In addition to topical treatments, you can also seek medical advice. Doctors prescribe oral antivirals as well as topical creams and gels for herpes. They also advise patients to seek medical advice to determine if they should take oral or topical antivirals for genital herpes.

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. Its 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 dont provide any relief, but they can increase the risk of viral resistance. Experts advise against using topical treatments for genital herpes.

Read Also: Can I Put Cold Sore Cream On Genital Herpes

Also Check: Does Hand Sanitizer Kill Herpes Virus

What Is The Outlook

The main concern with corneal infection is that it can cause scarring of the transparent front part of the eye . With scarring, the normally clear cornea can become like frosted glass. This may sometimes seriously affect vision.

  • Epithelial keratitis tends to settle and go away within a few weeks. It has a good outlook and often causes little or no scarring.
  • Stromal keratitis is more likely to result in corneal scarring and loss of vision.
  • Recurring episodes of active infection can make any existing scarring worse.
  • Prompt treatment with antiviral eye ointment or drops helps to minimise damage during each episode of active infection.

Overall, good vision remains in about 9 in 10 eyes affected by herpes simplex infection that is, vision good enough to drive. However, severe and recurrent herpes simplex eye infections may lead to serious scarring, impaired vision and even severe sight impairment in some cases. If severe sight impairment does develop, a corneal transplant may be the only option to restore vision.

Further reading and references

Genital Herpes Treatment In Pregnancy

INVESTIGATION: Lawsuit alleges woman contracted herpes at makeup counter

You may be offered antiviral treatment:

  • to treat outbreaks in pregnancy
  • from 36 weeks to reduce the chance of an outbreak during birth
  • from diagnosis until the birth if you first get herpes after 28 weeks of pregnancy

Many women with genital herpes have a vaginal delivery. You may be offered a caesarean, depending on your circumstances.

You May Like: Is Herpes Contagious All The Time

Also Check: How Does Acyclovir Work Against Herpes

Can Cold Sores Be Prevented

There are steps you can take to prevent spreading cold sores to others if you have them:

  • Avoid any direct physical contact with other people, particularly kissing or intimate sexual activities such as oral sex.
  • Always wash your hands if you touch the affected area.
  • Try not to share things like cups, cutlery, towels, toothbrushes, razors, flannels and cold sore creams with anyone else.
  • Try not to pick at a cold sore as this can lead to further infection and/or scarring.

There are also ways to prevent spreading cold sores from erupting again:

  • Try to avoid your triggers. Triggers are different for different people but can include things like a cold , sunlight, very windy conditions, emotional or physical stress and hormonal changes.
  • Take care of your general health avoid getting run down and overly stressed.

Recommended Reading: How Many People Have Genital Herpes

What Are The Symptoms Of Genital Herpes

The symptoms of genital herpes vary a lot. Most people have very mild symptoms or none at all.

Symptoms can vary from a mild area of irritation to more painful blisters or sores and generally feeling unwell. Common symptoms may include:

  • sometimes sores on the cervix

If you are having a first episode of genital herpes, you are more likely to also feel generally unwell and have fever, headache and general bone and muscle aches.

This may last for several days, during or after which reddened areas may appear on your genitals. These may develop into painful blisters. The blisters then burst, generally to leave sores that gradually heal, usually without scarring.

The severity of this first episode varies between people, but for some it may be severe and last for up to 3 weeks if not treated. These symptoms should quickly resolve with treatment. There is effective treatment available if symptoms are problematic.

Also Check: Can Herpes Be Controlled With Medication

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.

Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Herpes Simplex 1 Fast

Herbs Vitamins And Other Supplements

Otc Herpes Treatment Cvs

It isnt always possible to eat foods containing the high levels of nutrients your body needs to fight genital herpes, but herbs, vitamins, and supplements can help. The following choices are known to boost immune system function and help the body combat herpes outbreaks.

Zinc. Chickpeas, pork, lamb, and wheat germ all contain high levels of zinc. Research shows that zinc ions are active against the herpes simplex virus and may even extend the time between outbreaks.

Lysine. Research is still ongoing, but recent reports suggest that daily lysine supplementation may reduce the recurrences of herpes outbreaks. Though lower doses of lysine show little effect, high doses of up to 3,000 mg a day may be beneficial.

Probiotics. Probiotics are well known for their immune-boosting abilities. Now research also shows that certain probiotic strains can limit herpes infections as well.

Vitamin B Complex. The full range of B vitamins serves many critical roles in your body, including healthy cell growth, metabolism, and energy. You need all of these functions in full force to respond to an active outbreak of herpes.

Aloe vera. Aloe vera isnt just for sunburn! Pure aloe vera offers antimicrobial, antifungal, and wound healing properties that soothe herpes symptoms and encourage rapid healing.

Recommended Reading: How To Get Someone Pregnant With Herpes

Counselling For Genital Herpes

If you have just found out that you have genital herpes, it is likely you will have a lot of questions. A diagnosis of genital herpes often comes as a shock.

For many people who have genital herpes, the physical symptoms are outweighed by the emotional stress relating to the diagnosis. There are many misconceptions about genital herpes, including the belief that it is associated with promiscuity.

Seeing a counsellor may be a good idea to discuss any concerns you may have. Counselling offers a way of dealing with your concerns.For more information see the NZ Herpes Foundationor talk with one of their trained counsellors on 0508 11 12 13 free call 0508 11 12 13 or 09 433 6526 .

Cold Sore Treatment Walgreens Cold Sore Medications Oral Healthask A Pharmacist

I then took 2- 500mg tabs of Lysine, and next day took 4 of them throughout the day, the tingling went away, and the outbreak never happened. WebMD Medical Reference Reviewed by, traci. Best Answer: I am sure you know that there is no cure, but what makes an outbreak go away, or what can prevent one, or what can stop one from happening when you get the first symptoms is L-Lysine. The second time, it actually lasted, in minor form, for about 3 days, but it was easily hidden with lipstick. Home Care Measures for Genital Herpes.

Also Check: What Medication For Genital Herpes

Don’t Miss: What Is Used To Treat Herpes

When Is Preventive Treatment Considered

Some people have outbreaks of genital herpes very often or experience especially severe symptoms. Then it may be a good idea to take antiviral medication for a longer time including during symptom-free phases. The goal is to prevent further outbreaks and to keep the symptoms from becoming so severe. Also, the antiviral medication reduces the likelihood of infecting others. As preventive treatment, the WHO recommends the following:

  • aciclovir: 400 mg two times per day,
  • famciclovir: 250 mg two times per day or
  • valaciclovir: 500 mg once per day.

Research shows that preventive treatment can considerably lower the risk of further outbreaks. The people participating had four or more herpes outbreaks per year before the start of the studies, and then took an antiviral medication or a fake treatment for up to one year. A comprehensive analysis of the study results shows that

  • 96 out of 100 people who took a placebo had at least one further outbreak of genital herpes.
  • 46 out of 100 people who were given antiviral medication had at least one further outbreak of genital herpes.

In other words, the medication prevented further outbreaks in 50 out of 100 people within one year.

People with very frequent herpes outbreaks also benefited from preventive treatment: In one study involving people with very frequent outbreaks, the medication lowered the number of episodes in one year from 11 to 2.

Recommended Reading: Can You Test For Genital Herpes

How Do I Choose The Best Over

Herpes Simplex 1 & 2: Symptoms, Transmission and Treatment

Herpes is a medical condition caused by a virus and can lead to the development of painful blisters. Some forms of herpes may be transmitted through sexual contact with an infected partner. An over-the-counter treatment is any type of medical treatment that does not require a prescription by a doctor. Over-the-counter herpes treatment options may include medications, lifestyle modifications, or herbal treatments. There is no actual cure for herpes, so any over-the-counter herpes treatment methods are aimed at reducing symptoms of the disease.

Over-the-counter herpes treatment options may include the use of pain relievers or topical preparations. Pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen may help to ease the pain and discomfort when an outbreak occurs. Topical preparations such as creams, ointments, or gels may be useful in treating painful outbreaks as well. It is important to note that many of these products have not been FDA approved and may not be safe for all patients. It is important to discuss the benefits and risks of such treatment options with a doctor.

You May Like: Can Herpes Turn Into Aids

How Is Herpes Simplex Treated

Some people have few to no herpes outbreaks and choose not to have treatment. But many people prefer to use medications that shorten outbreaks and reduce symptoms.

During an outbreak, you may use an antiviral ointment or cream to help lessen your symptoms and help them go away faster, but it only works if you start it soon after you start an outbreak. Many people with HSV-2 take daily oral medications to keep outbreaks at bay.

Your provider may prescribe a topical medication or oral medication such as:

Order Antiviral Treatments For Herpes

If you have genital herpes, you can get an online prescription for antiviral herpes medication discreetly and easily. Our doctorâs prescribe aciclovir, valaciclovir or famciclovir via our online service.

Order for a herpes outbreak: if you have a flare-up of symptoms, you can get a short course of medication to help control the outbreak.

Order to prevent outbreaks: if you get outbreaks more than 6 times a year or find your symptoms are hard to deal with, you can have suppressive treatment. This is where you take a low dose of antiviral medication every day to help prevent outbreaks.

Order a herpes test: if you need to check if youre a carrier of herpes, you can order a herpes test online now.

1st outbreak â up to 10 days £25.00

Click & Collect: free Next Day Delivery: £3.99Dispensing and standard delivery included.

Read Also: Will Genital Herpes Go Away

When To Get Tested

Consult a doctor about any of the following symptoms:

  • tingling or itching around the genitals
  • pain when peeing
  • unusual vaginal discharge

The World Health Organization describes the risk of the herpes virus passing to a newborn during childbirth. Although this is rare, people who are pregnant and have herpes should let their doctors know.

Using a condom or another barrier method of protection during sex reduces the risk of the virus transmitting. It is also a good idea to avoid sharing sex toys with someone who has herpes.

Several online companies offer STI testing kits, including:

  • EverlyWell: This company sells tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and HIV.
  • LetsGetChecked: This company sells tests for several common STIs, and it provides prescriptions at no extra cost if a test result is positive.
  • PriortitySTD: This company returns results within 3 days.

Anyone with a positive test result should contact a healthcare professional.

Popular Articles
Related news