Prognosis
Herpes infections of the nose are easily treatable diseases if treated in time. Often the disease is even self-limiting, i.e. even without drug therapy the blisters heal on their own after some time. In case of a weakened immune system, previous diseases or damaged skin, even a seemingly harmless infection can be dangerous.
Especially in the stage of open blisters, other germs can additionally infect the small injuries (“superinfection“). Bacteria in particular cause very painful, bloody rashes. Neurodermatitis patients must be particularly careful! In rare cases, the herpes viruses can damage other organs, such as the brain or eyes. Due to the difficult hygienic conditions in the area of the nasal mucosa, patients may have to prepare themselves for a longer course of the disease.
Can herpes patches also be used on the nose?
Herpes patches, such as those available from the company “Compeed”, are usually advertised for the treatment of lip herpes. They are also suitable for nasal herpes, but only for external use. The patches are not suitable for use in the nose.
Is there a difference between nasal and lip herpes?
Nasal herpes and lip herpes are caused by the same herpes virus, HSV-1. Nearly 100% of adults carry this virus and most have been infected with it since early childhood, especially through direct contact with lip herpes. Various factors can cause the virus, which slumbers in the body of the infected person without causing symptoms, to be reactivated.
In this case, lip herpes and nasal herpes can also occur in parallel and plague the person affected. Typical triggers are stress, feverish infections, increased sunlight or an immune deficiency. Treatment with acyclovir ointment is common for both types of herpes.