Modern pharmaceutical consulting is not only a test of professional knowledge, but also a real test of the character of the leader. Many buyers are confident that they have a good understanding of medications, and from this position they communicate with a pharmacist or pharmacist. At the same time, they can take antibiotics “to prevent ARVI” or retell the most sophisticated advice from popular TV presenters. In such a situation, the chief administrator should, on the one hand, dispense the required over-the-counter drugs, on the other hand, warn the person about the danger of his misconceptions regarding drugs, and on the third, not take on the role of a doctor and not make a diagnosis based on symptoms. Confusion and misunderstanding can arise even over something as simple as a seasonal problem like orolabial herpes. Our “cheat sheets” are intended to help the pharmacist communicate with the client on this topic. With the season of winter infectious exacerbations on the rise, let’s remember once again what most often worries customers with requests for remedies for “colds on the lips.”
Give me some kind of alcohol tincture for colds on the lips - maybe calendula or boric alcohol
Applying alcohol solutions to lesions is a very controversial method. On the one hand, they, of course, dry and have an antiseptic effect. However, not a single tincture, as well as boric or salicylic alcohols, are active against the causative agents of “colds on the lips” - herpes simplex viruses. Moreover: these drugs contain ethyl alcohol in a fairly high concentration - up to 70%. When applied to damaged skin, irritation and even burns may occur, which will only worsen the situation. The pharmacy's assortment today includes products that act directly on herpes viral particles, preventing their reproduction and accelerating recovery. It is these drugs that are considered the “first line” for the treatment of herpes on the lips.
Features of application
If you are using chlorhexidine liquid as a mouth rinse, dilute the substance to 0.5 concentration. For children – up to 0.1-0.2%. The ideal dilution option is warm distilled water with a small amount of ethanol.
Useful: Genital herpes in men
Use alcohol, glycerin or distilled water for dilution. To treat deep wounds and burns, use a sterile solution. Chlorhexidine is also incompatible with soap. Therefore, it is not recommended to wash the treated areas with soap solutions or shampoos during the day.
Have you ever been tested for herpes?
Not really
All medicines against herpes on the lips are the same, give me something cheaper
Indeed, many drugs intended for the treatment of orolabial herpes contain the same active substance. Most often this antiviral drug is acyclovir, less often - penciclovir. However, there are means that have characteristic differences. For example, one of the creams, along with acyclovir, contains hydrocortisone. This remedy, unlike single drugs, simultaneously prevents the formation of new rash components and shortens the healing time of existing rashes, reducing the severity of the inflammatory reaction and itching [2].
Contraindications and restrictions
Chlorhexidine is a gentle drug, but there are some restrictions on its use:
- allergic reactions and hypersensitivity to some components of the drug or the main active ingredient;
- age up to 5 years;
- Wounds should not be treated if the eardrum is damaged, open-type traumatic brain injuries and spinal injuries with spinal cord damage;
- During pregnancy and lactation, be sure to consult a doctor before taking it.
I heard that there are some very effective pills against herpes on the lips. This is true?
Indeed, there are antiviral drugs for the treatment of herpes intended for oral administration. Today, three oral drugs in this group are used - acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir. Penetrating inside a cell infected with the herpes virus, they block DNA synthesis and stop the reproduction of the pathogen. All oral antiviral drugs are available only with a doctor's prescription.
Local forms remain over-the-counter: ointments, gels or creams. For recurrent colds on the lips, it is advisable to use these drugs, since they are practically not absorbed into the bloodstream and do not have a systemic effect.
Drugs against herpes on the lips in tablets can be prescribed in cases where relapses occur very often. This happens, for example, when the immune system is malfunctioning. If you keep having recurrent cold sores, you'd better see a doctor. He will find out why your immune system is not doing its job and may prescribe an oral antiviral medication for herpes.
I caught a cold, and lo and behold, my lips were covered. Give me some tea for colds
You are confusing two completely different infections - respiratory and herpes. A cold, or ARVI, develops when the body is infected with respiratory viruses. But a “cold on the lips,” or a relapse of orolabial herpes, appears when the herpes simplex viruses, which live in the body constantly, are activated. Therefore, when itching or rash appears on the lips, traditional cold remedies are not effective: they only act on the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections or respiratory viruses. In the case of “cold lips,” it is advisable to use antiviral drugs that are active against herpes simplex pathogens.
Immediately after the procedure
In fact, the entire healing procedure can be divided into several stages. Initially, swelling appears. Then hematomas may occur. This reaction is considered normal. Additionally, there may be a feeling of tightness and fullness in the mouth area.
You should not evaluate the result immediately after the procedure. It will change somewhat in the future. To understand what your lips will look like, you need to wait a few days. In general, the result is visible within a week.
If bruises appear, there is also no need to panic. They occur if the cosmetologist touches a vessel. The situation is not dangerous. However, this may not look aesthetically pleasing. They will go away on their own within a few days.
On the first day after the procedure, you should not drink hot drinks. It is better to minimize the use of cosmetics. Additionally, you should not swim in the pool or overheat. If you follow your doctor's recommendations, the likelihood of developing side effects is minimal.
Recommend some remedy for cold sore lips for a pregnant woman
Unfortunately, first-line drugs for the treatment of exacerbations of orolabial herpes are indicated for use during pregnancy only if the benefit to the mother outweighs the risk to the fetus and child [2]. Expectant mothers can be encouraged to use a lip balm or cream with a UV filter - it protects the skin of the lips from the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation, which is considered one of the triggers for relapses of herpes. Additionally, I would recommend lip moisturizers to prevent dry skin.
Lip care after augmentation
You need to take good care of your lips. This will speed up healing and also minimize the risk of negative consequences. Care includes the following activities:
- Using moisturizing balms or hygienic lipsticks. They will saturate the area with liquid and prevent cracking.
- Minimizing physical activity. It is better not to go to the gym for about 2 weeks. Visiting him is fraught with increased blood pressure, which is extremely undesirable.
- To relieve swelling, it is recommended to use special ointments. The doctor will prescribe them.
- If inflammation or herpes appears, you must inform a specialist. He will examine the area and then suggest treatment.
In general, the healing process proceeds quite quickly. The injected gel will saturate the skin with hyaluronate, and the area will take the required shape. To quickly relieve swelling and redness, you can apply a cold compress. It is not recommended to perform them too often. Extreme cooling can lead to dryness, resulting in a risk of chapped lips. This is fraught with the appearance of new wounds and an increase in healing time.
Recommend something effective to get rid of this herpes once and for all
Unfortunately this is not possible. Once entering the body - most often this happens in childhood - herpes simplex viruses never leave it. They penetrate the nerve ganglia of the trigeminal nerve and migrate from them only during relapses, and then return again to the zone of permanent “dislocation”. Activation of the infection occurs against the background of a number of risk factors, or triggers. They can be: fever, stress, fatigue, hormonal changes, respiratory infections, etc. By the way, with age, the frequency of relapses of orolabial herpes decreases.
There is no remedy that would allow you to get rid of herpes infection at once. However, there are drugs that alleviate the condition during the activation of the disease and speed up recovery. These are primarily acyclovir-based products that block the proliferation of herpes viruses. Acyclovir ointments and creams are the drugs of choice for recurrent colds on the lips, having an optimal balance of effectiveness and safety.
Genital herpes during pregnancy
Is genital herpes transmitted from mother to fetus in pregnant women?
If primary infection with the virus occurs during pregnancy, especially in the first half, then there is a possibility of the virus entering the fetus with the development of intrauterine infection and impaired fetal development. This is a serious complication of genital herpes, and, fortunately, it is very rare. If the virus was present in a woman’s body before pregnancy, then her immune system, already familiar with the herpes virus, effectively protects the fetus during pregnancy, and infection is possible only during childbirth, and then with the condition that at this moment the disease is in the active phase. Therefore, it is especially important not to miss relapses of genital herpes activity during pregnancy in order to begin treatment on time and prevent transmission of the virus to the child during childbirth.
I always bought ointment with acyclovir for herpes on the lips. Maybe there is something more modern now?
Acyclovir is truly a drug with “experience”: it was synthesized back in 1977 [4]. In those years, it was an innovative drug that offered a unique opportunity to control herpes infection. Today it remains one of the most popular remedies against herpes, although, of course, it has competitors. However, it cannot be said that they have any significant advantages compared to acyclovir.
Thus, the only alternative to local forms of acyclovir, penciclovir, which is also available in the form of an ointment, has a structure and mechanism of action similar to the parent of the group. Research results indicate that 1% penciclovir is as effective for cold sores as 3% acyclovir [5]. However, if acyclovir is applied 5 times a day, then penciclovir should be used a little more often - every 2 hours. Whether it makes sense to change the drug is up to you to decide.
Answers to popular questions
To study the situation in more detail, we recommend that you read the answers to popular questions. Additionally, you can contact your doctor and clarify with him the nuances of interest. Our specialists provide comprehensive support. They work with patients both before and after the procedure. The cosmetologist ensures that the patient receives care. He clarifies all the details. As a result, the occurrence of effects is reduced.
How long does it take for lips to heal after augmentation?
Recovery takes 1 to 2 weeks. However, everything is individual. The speed of recovery is affected by proper care. If the patient uses healing and soothing ointments, discomfort will decrease, swelling will subside faster, and the recovery procedure will take less time. However, the funds can be selected together with your doctor. Specialists will find out which drugs can be used in a particular case, and then prescribe the appropriate medication.
Is it possible to drink alcohol after lip augmentation?
Drinking alcohol during the entire healing period is strictly prohibited. This is due to the fact that it has a thinning effect on the blood. As a result, extensive hematomas may appear that do not look very aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, there is a risk of developing other negative reactions. Because of this, it is recommended to refrain from drinking alcohol.
Kissing after lip augmentation
The pain persists for the first few days. Therefore, kissing can bring physical discomfort. It's better to avoid them. When the swelling subsides and the discomfort disappears, they are acceptable. However, it is best to refrain from excessive activity until healing is completely complete.
Is it possible to play sports after lip augmentation?
Physical activity increases sweating and increases blood pressure. All this negatively affects the healing process. As a result, the likelihood of infections and side effects increases. Therefore, it is not recommended to exercise for at least one week. It is better to postpone going to the gym until healing is complete.
Is it possible to smoke after lip augmentation?
Smoking is also included in the list of prohibited activities. In the first days, holding a cigarette with your lips will be uncomfortable. This will significantly increase discomfort and also slow down healing. The risk of side effects will also increase significantly. Therefore, during the recovery period after lip augmentation, smoking is prohibited.
