With the onset of autumn, we are increasingly pursued by colds. They can manifest themselves in different ways, depending on the so-called weak points in the body - someone starts to scratch their throat at the slightest hypothermia, someone suffers from a runny nose. Some people recognize a cold by the characteristic runny rash on the lips.
The reason for this manifestation is the viral disease herpes, the causative agent of which is in the body of 90% of the population of our planet. However, not everyone gets a cold on their lips. This is because most infected people are only carriers of the virus. Even if you yourself are unfamiliar with such a problem, your acquaintances or friends probably asked you: “A cold has come out on your lip, how to treat it?” The photos posted in this article show that such rashes do not look very attractive.
Today we will talk about this disease in detail, find outthe reasons for its appearance, we will present medications and ways to treat it with folk remedies.
Common misconceptions
All patients suffering from this disease can be divided into two groups. Some panic and start looking if a cold has come out on the lip, than to treat it quickly, preferably in one day, others consider the disease not so terrible and let things go by themselves. Both are wrong - it is unlikely that you will be able to get rid of rashes in one day, although if treatment is started in a timely manner, the disease will recede in two to three days. Wrong and those who consider the disease "not serious". It can be passed on to other people, causing some pretty serious complications, so don't put off treating it.
Causes of a cold on the lips
Everyone who often encounters this problem knows the algorithm of the disease. At first, a person feels a slight tingling and itching on the lip. Then a barely noticeable red dot appears on the skin, which is inflamed and painful. At this point, a little later, tiny transparent bubbles filled with liquid appear. Sometimes herpes is accompanied by swelling, burning, ulcers. Often the disease occurs against the background of high fever and soreness of the lymph nodes on palpation.
This wound heals quite quickly, since the appearance of blisters indicates the end of the disease. However, if you start treatment at the initial stage (when itching appears), open wounds can be avoided. Undoubtedly, everyone caresquestion: "If a cold has come out on the lip, how to treat and how to get rid of the scourge?"
Main factors causing disease
When infected with herpes, and it is transmitted by airborne or sexual contact, the virus is fixed in the body and may not manifest itself in any way. Rashes appear only with a decrease in immunity. The most common factors that cause such a manifestation of a cold include:
- Hypothermia. Herpes quite often appears on the lip after a person has been caught in the rain, frozen, chilled at a bus stop, waiting for transport, etc. In some cases, herpes also causes a sharp temperature drop - for example, when you went out hot after playing sports outside.
- Diseases. The body's defenses are seriously undermined by some diseases. These include AIDS, HIV, syphilis, diabetes and other systemic diseases.
- Pregnancy. When carrying a child in women, immunity may decrease. Very often, expectant mothers complain that a cold has come out on their lip. How to treat this disease during pregnancy, we will tell a little later.
- Damage. Various injuries, cuts and bites of the mucous membrane of the lips can provoke the appearance of herpes on the lips.
Do I need to see a doctor?
At the initial stage, when the disease is not disturbing, patients who do not have a cold on their lip do not seek medical help. How to treat quickly at home such a manifestation of herpes, they already know. For those who have rashes for the first time, it is better to contactdoctor to get the necessary recommendations and appointments. If the rash spreads into the oral or nasal cavity, large ulcers or blisters occur, reddening of the affected areas and pain, we recommend that you consult a doctor.
Duration of treatment
It should be noted that it is impossible to get rid of the herpes virus, well-conducted treatment can relieve the symptoms and manifestations of the disease. The result of treatment depends on how quickly the treatment was started, what methods and means were used in the treatment at home, what kind of immunity the patient has.
A cold came out on the lip: how to treat at home
This disease requires an integrated approach to treatment - the use of external and internal agents at the same time, a balanced diet. The possibilities of modern medicine allow you to quickly suppress the virus, putting it into a "sleeping" state. The actions of all currently known drugs are aimed at reducing the reproduction of viruses and relieving symptoms. For millions of people around the world, the question is relevant: “What should I do if a cold has come out on my lip? How to treat this disease at home?”
Common drugs
According to doctors, the best remedy for colds on the lips, quickly relieving the symptoms of the disease, is Zovirax ointment. It relieves inflammation in 2-3 days. "Acyclovir" is an analogue of "Zovirax", a cheaper drug, although it works no worse. Before using ittreat the affected area with an antiseptic.
Often, antiviral drugs are prescribed simultaneously with ointments:
- "Penciclovir".
- "Gerpevir".
- "Aciclovir".
- "Famciclovir".
The following medicines are used to maintain immunity at home:
- Echinacea tincture.
- "Immunal".
- "Gery-max".
- "Neuromultivit".
Sometimes none of the listed drugs is available at home, and a cold has come out on the lip. How to treat her in this case? Powdered aspirin or paracetamol can be used. These drugs are almost always in the home medicine cabinet. But if not for the first time a cold has come out on the lip, how to treat rashes, patients usually know. That is why you should always have the necessary medicines on hand.
Treatment during pregnancy
Expectant mothers are especially worried if a cold has come out on their lip. How to treat her in this case, because the use of many drugs for women in this position is unacceptable. Doctors say that herpes on the lip during pregnancy is not dangerous in most cases, since most of the population has this virus in the body, and there are antibodies to it.
Danger of the virus for the baby
In the first trimester of pregnancy, the virus is dangerous only if the woman has contracted the virus immediately after conception. At this stage, life isis born, the heart begins to beat for the first time, organs are laid. Any, even minor interference in this process can have serious consequences.
In the second trimester, herpes is also dangerous for primary infection, although to a lesser extent, because the baby is already fully formed. However, the risk of developmental abnormalities and preterm birth remains.
So, if a pregnant woman has a cold on her lip, how to treat it? Undoubtedly, the virus is dangerous and it must be fought. And even if there are antibodies to it, the rashes on the lips look unaesthetic and by themselves they will not go away without treatment. If the disease is recurrent, then the treatment is minimized - the expectant mother will be able to cope on her own, which in most cases happens. But during the initial infection, the doctor conducts the necessary treatment and provokes the production of antibodies.
Gels and ointments
If a cold came out on the lip, how to treat a pregnant woman? This is decided only by the gynecologist observing her condition. He prescribes drugs that are safe for the child and at the same time effective. These include:
- "Panavir" is a herbal antiviral agent. Its active ingredient is an extract of potato shoots. Produced as a 0.002% gel or aerosol for topical and external use.
- "Penciclovir" is an antiviral synthetic drug of prolonged action. Available as a 5% topical cream and 5% ointment;
- Oxolinic ointment -antiviral drug, which is available in the form of 0, 25 and 3% ointment. The active substance oxolin has a local effect, it does not accumulate in the human body.
Traditional medicine
In the absence of contraindications during the period of exacerbation of the virus, pregnant women can use folk remedies, having previously agreed on their use with their doctor. For the treatment of colds on the lips with folk methods, the following remedies are effective:
- Egg wrap, which is located on the inside of the shell.
- Vegetable or essential oils (sea buckthorn fir, tea tree oil, almond).
- Paste "Forest Balsam". It is applied to the affected area in a thin layer and left overnight. The paste has a drying, cooling, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. The remedy quickly relieves the symptoms of the disease (burning, hyperemia, itching), the crusts dry out faster and fall off.
- Ice cubes applied to the affected area of the skin.
- Eruptions are cauterized with fir oil every two hours. This method is not suitable for people who are sensitive to pain, as the oil burns strongly when cauterized.
- Vaseline-based calendula extract ointment accelerates wound healing when used at least three times a day, and preferably every two hours. The product must be stored in the refrigerator.
- Calendula pomade containing calendula or tea tree extract;
- Cauterization of rashes with propolis tincture. The agent is applied to wounds without affecting he althy tissues 6-7 times a day. It is advisable to protect the delicate skin of the lips from drying out with a moisturizer;
- Every housewife has garlic in her kitchen. It can be used in the fight against herpetic eruptions. Phytoncides, which are contained in its juice, have antiseptic properties that suppress viral activity. Lubricate several times a day of rash with juice or rub with a cut clove.
Using alternative medicine for lip rashes will help a pregnant woman reduce pain and speed up wound healing.
Treatment of children
Many parents are interested in: “If a cold has come out on the child’s lip, how to treat the baby?” Treatment of rashes in children, especially in the smallest, should be carried out under the strict supervision of a pediatrician. Quite often, the use of antiviral ointments and gels is not enough. You may need to take medication. Therefore, it is better not to postpone a visit to the doctor in order to prevent the spread of rashes in other areas.
Weakened immunity
Pediatricians believe that if the virus is activated 2-4 times a year, then this is considered an unfavorable course of the disease, requiring complex therapy. In this case, experts talk about weak immunity, which must be supported. With regular rashes, the child is prescribed immunomodulating drugs even in the latent period, in order to avoid new manifestations. If rashes appear once a year, then this should not cause serious concern. They can be treated locally. In the complex treatment of children for internaluse of antiviral drugs. They can be in the form of tablets or injections.
Famciclovir, Aciclovir have proven themselves excellently. Multivitamin complexes are prescribed to strengthen the immune system. As well as immunostimulants, for example, "Interferon", "Nazoferon". These drugs activate their own immunity. They are prescribed only in cases where rashes appear several times a year. In children with good immunity, subject to all hygiene requirements, herpes may not be activated for several years.
With severe itching and a large area of damage, antihistamines are prescribed ("Tavegil", "Suprastin"). For topical application, ointments are used that act on the site of infection. When the virus manifests itself weakly, these funds are enough. Ointment "Zovirax" is prescribed even for newborns. "Acyclovir" is often prescribed because of the effectiveness of the drug and the low price, which is important for young parents. Oxolinic ointment is used to treat children older than two years. These funds should be used at the first signs of the disease, preferably before the onset of rashes with swelling and redness. Apply ointments every four hours, or as directed by a physician.
