Many people are familiar with the condition when bubbles appear on the lips that itch and hurt. This disease is caused by the herpes simplex virus, the most common disease on earth. Scientists have found that more than 90% of the world's population is infected with it. This is explained by the fact that the virus is very contagious, spreads easily and remains in the body for life. It may not manifest itself in any way, but under certain conditions it is activated. This condition is also called "cold on the lips." It appears suddenly and gives a person not only physical, but also psychological discomfort. Women are especially affected by the fact that herpes appears on the lips. Treatment at home in most cases brings positive results, but only after 5-7 days.
Features of the virus
Discovered it at the beginning of the 20th century, but explored it only in the 90s. The virus is verydurable and viable. It is stored at room temperature for a day, especially on soft surfaces. He does not like metal objects very much and in a couple of hours he dies on them. But the temperature of -70 ° is favorable for him, he lives in such conditions for up to 5 days. Only high temperature kills the herpes virus - it dies in half an hour already at + 50 °. It enters the body mainly through damaged skin or mucous membranes. Herpes remains in the cells forever, and it is impossible to completely get rid of it. Scientists believe that almost all life on Earth is infected with this virus, except for fungi and algae. Therefore, each person needs to know how herpes on the lips is treated at home.
Types of virus
Science knows about 200 types of herpes virus. But only eight of them affect a person:
1. Virus of the first type or herpes on the lips. Home treatment is possible and usually resolves within a week.
2. Also herpes simplex, but not localized on the face, but in the genital area.
3. Varicella zoster virus and shingles. They are most easily tolerated in childhood, adults have a high temperature and severe complications.
4. Infectious mononucleosis appears most often in adolescence and is characterized by fever and swollen lymph nodes.
5. Cytomegalovirus. It is believed that more than 50% of people are affected by it. But it is activated when immunity is reduced or during pregnancy.
6. Roseola baby is found only in babies under 2 years old and notdangerous.
7. The virus that causes chronic fatigue syndrome.
8. A radon virus that, when the immune system is severely reduced, causes cancer.
Features of herpes of the first type
Called herpes simplex or the common cold because it is often activated during colds. This is the most common form of the virus. True, in most people it may not manifest itself in any way, and only 20% of those infected experience frequent relapses. In most cases, herpes occurs on the lips. Treatment at home brings positive results, since most often the course of the disease is simple. The body itself produces antibodies that cause the virus to go into a latent or latent form.
Eruptions are localized most often on the upper lip, but can also appear on the lower, near the nose and even on the cheeks. Usually 1-2 vesicles appear, but in severe cases they can be many and merge, sometimes covering the entire lip. The situation is complicated by the fact that during a conversation or eating, the blisters are injured and therefore heal more slowly. And many are interested in the question of whether it is possible to effectively treat herpes on the lips at home. Scientists believe that it is impossible to completely get rid of the virus - it is incurable. This is due to its features.
What happens when a virus enters the body
After contact with an infected person, the virus enters the skin cells and is embedded in them. Herpes is a type of DNA-containing virus, andeach of its cells includes 74 genes. Inside the human body, the virus embeds its DNA into the genetic apparatus of the cell forever. He forces her to produce proteins for her reproduction. Often this is asymptomatic, but with the formation of a large number of viral cells, rashes appear on the lips. Then the body begins to produce antibodies that fight the virus. After the destruction of most of its particles, only those that are built into the cells of the body remain. Most often, the ganglia of nerve cells, such as the trigeminal nerve, are affected. The virus enters a latent or dormant state.
Causes of herpes activation
Under certain conditions, most often with a decrease in immunity, the virus is activated and reproduces. What can trigger this process?
- colds and infectious diseases;
- hypothermia or overheating - this can be prolonged exposure to the sun, swimming in cold water and even sitting next to the air conditioner;
- stressful situations, conflicts;
- severe overwork, lack of sleep;
- malnutrition, lack of vitamins or poisoning;
- abuse of alcoholic beverages and strong coffee, smoking.
Since it is impossible to completely cure herpes, you should try to minimize the recurrence of the disease. And for this you need to know their reasons.
Symptoms: herpes on the lips
Those who often get breakouts can easily recognizethe first signs of virus activation to take immediate action. This will help reduce the period of illness to a few days. And without treatment, a relapse usually lasts from a week to a month, and the disease goes through four stages:
1. First, the patient feels tingling, itching and tingling on the skin, usually in the region of the upper lip. It is the viral cells that begin to activate and move from the nerve ganglia to the surface of the lips.
2. Next, inflammation develops. The skin turns red, vesicles appear with transparent contents. The skin in this place hurts and itches. Bubbles gradually grow in sizes.
3. Then the bubbles burst, and the liquid spreads over the surface of the skin. At this time, the patient is highly contagious.
4. A yellowish crust forms over the burst bubbles. It is not recommended to touch it, let alone remove it. After a while, it falls off on its own without scarring.
Ways of infection with herpes
95% of people are infected with this virus. But in the majority, it is dormant in the ganglia of nerve cells. Despite the fact that herpes lives in the body of almost every person, we can talk about infection. After all, upon contact with the virus, its dormant cells are activated. Infection occurs most often from a sick person or through personal hygiene items. The virus enters through skin lesions or through mucous membranes. Most often, they become infected with herpes through kisses, when using shared towels, dishes or bedding. Very often, the virus passes from mother to fetus during pregnancy and childbirth. Therefore, it turns out that many peopleherpes is in the body from birth.
Principles of herpes treatment
Until now, no medicine has been created to help completely get rid of this virus. It is so firmly embedded in the DNA of cells that any treatment can only reduce the frequency and reduce the duration of relapses. Its methods are selected depending on the individual course of the disease. After all, everyone has herpes (colds on the lips) in different ways. Treatment should begin immediately when the first symptoms appear: itching and tingling. So you can speed up the healing of the bubbles up to several days. What is used to treat herpes?
- external antiviral drugs - creams and ointments;
- drugs that increase immunity;
- in difficult cases, antiviral drugs are used in the form of tablets or intravenously;
- you can use various folk remedies;
- you also need to follow a certain diet.
Because the virus is highly contagious, you can not open the bubbles and peel off the crust. After contact with infected areas, wash your hands. Otherwise, you can spread the virus to other parts of the body. The most dangerous thing is to touch your eyes, because herpes easily penetrates through the mucous membrane.
The most effective drug for herpes
In the 70s of the 20th century, a drug was created specifically for the treatment of this disease. It is integrated into the viral DNA and prevents its reproduction. This drug was called "Acyclovir". He and other drugs based on it noware the most effective against the herpes virus. But you need to apply them when the first signs of the disease appear. The most commonly used ointment is Acyclovir. You need to apply it on rashes several times a day with clean hands or a special stick. After contact with an infected area, hands should be washed with soap and water.
In recent years, other drugs based on Acyclovir have been created. These are medicines "Zovirax", "Vivorax" and "Ciclovir". The drug "Zovirax" is considered the most effective, because it contains propylene glycol, which facilitates the penetration of the cream into the deeper layers of the skin. There are also analogues of Acyclovir: Fenistil Pencivir and Vectavir ointments. In difficult cases of the disease - with frequent relapses and a long course - these drugs are used in the form of tablets. There are also stronger means: "Valacyclovir" and "Famvir" - its analogue. But they are used only as directed by a doctor, as they have many contraindications and side effects.
Other medicines used for disease
Perhaps there is no such virus that would annoy people so much, regardless of their social status and lifestyle, like herpes on the lips. Treatment at home in most cases brings positive results, and antiviral drugs speed up the healing process. But sometimes other medicines are required.
- Means "Panavir". Herbal preparation obtained from potato seedlings. Histhe peculiarity is that, in addition to the antiviral effect, it relieves itching and pain and, in addition, prevents the spread of viral cells.
- Drug "Abreva". A cream that acts on cell membranes and protects them from the penetration of the virus. When applied, its reproduction quickly stops.
- Sometimes antibacterial ointments and gels are used: oxolinic, tetracycline ointments, Flucinar, Liniment Cycloferon and others.
- To help the body resist the virus, immunomodulatory drugs are used: Interferon, Viferon, Likopid and others.
- Analgesics, anti-inflammatory and sedatives are used to relieve pain and itching.
Simple treatment of herpes on the lips with folk remedies
In some cases, for example, with individual intolerance to some drugs, folk remedies can be used for treatment. Very often, with these methods, you can quickly help yourself if you have herpes or a cold on your lips. Alternative treatment is available to everyone, because simple means are used for this, which are always at hand. It is most effective to apply them externally, lubricating or cauterizing emerging bubbles. So you can quickly stop the reproduction of the virus. So, how to cure herpes on the lips with folk remedies?
- It is very effective to cauterize rashes several times a day with propolis tincture, fir or sea buckthornoil, Valocordin or just plain alcohol.
- Good help in the fight against this herb disease. It is necessary to make lotions from fresh aloe juice, Kalanchoe, chopped raspberry twigs, juice from aspen leaves or tricolor violet. Decoctions of mint, chamomile, calendula and St. John's wort are also effective.
- You can also use the tools that everyone has in the kitchen: apply table s alt, gruel from soda and water, lemon juice or a clove of garlic to the rashes.
- Those who want to know how to quickly cure herpes on the lips at home can prepare an ointment in advance that will help them. It is made from vaseline with Streptocide powder or calendula leaf juice, from a mixture of ash, honey and grated garlic. You can also prepare celandine juice, which is stored for a long time.
In recent years, herpes on the lips, treatment, causes and prevention of the disease have been well studied by medicine. But scientists have not yet created a tool that can completely rid a person of this virus. Therefore, you need to lead such a lifestyle that he remains dormant and does not annoy with his frequent relapses.
