Herpes: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Many people know the situation, which occurs preferentially before important appointments: in the area of the lips it tingles, tightens and itches, a short time later small, painful blisters bloom on the reddened skin. A few days later, they burst and dry out. After a few days, the scare usually comes to an end and the crusts heal. Until the next attack – days to years later. How does cold sore develop, what helps against the blisters on the lip and how can you prevent it?

Causes and triggers of herpes simplex.

The disease is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and type 2. The name herpes is borrowed from the Greek and means “to duck,” “to creep”: quite fitting for the typical characteristic of the herpes virus to hide in the body – usually without symptoms – at the nerve roots after the initial infection.

Only in certain situations does it suddenly leave its hiding place, crawl along the nerve tracts back to the skin and mucous membrane and attack the upper layers there. Triggers for this can be stress, disgust, sun exposure or a cold, for example.

You can read detailed information about the causes of herpes here.

Where can you get herpes?

The herpes virus affects – predominantly as type 1 – mostly the lips (herpes labialis, lip herpes), less the nose or nasal mucosa and rarely the eyes (herpes corneae), but can also – especially as type 2 – cause symptoms in the area of the anus and genitals (genital herpes or genital herpes).

Incidentally, the herpes viruses are a large family that can also cause other diseases – for example, chickenpox and its secondary infection, shingles.

Prevent herpes – 3 tips

The herpes virus occurs everywhere – protecting yourself from infection is thus almost impossible. In addition, most people have infected yes already in their childhood. However, a strong immune system probably ensures that the viruses are less likely to be activated.

These tips will help prevent an outbreak of herpes:

  1. It is recommended to keep the defenses on their toes with zinc, selenium and vitamins C and E.
  2. Also with enough sleep, exercise and a healthy diet you support your immune system at work.
  3. If you are sensitive to sunlight, it helps to protect your lips with a sunblock before going outside – there are even lipsticks with lemon balm extract.

Avoid infection in acute herpes.

If you currently have cold sores, be careful not to spread the viruses further. Your cutlery, plates and glass are taboo for others during this time, as are toothbrushes and towels. You should also refrain from kissing for a few days.

The application of all means should be done with a cotton swab, not with the fingers – this reduces the risk of bringing the viruses to other parts of the body.