How to treat herpes on the lips

How does primary infection occur?

Often, the initial infection with a herpes infection has no symptoms and is not noticeable. But it happens that complications appear along with herpes:

gingivostomatitis - inflammation of the oral mucosa and gums;
an increase in temperature, accompanied by the appearance of blisters and ulcers in the mouth;
herpetic panaritium (inflammation of the finger tissue) - the infection can spread to the fingers if they are pulled into the mouth;
rashes can occur throughout the oral cavity, affecting the gums, which turn red and bleed. The child refuses to eat because the process becomes painful.

What should you know about treatment?

Whatever drug is offered for use, it is worth remembering that it will not be possible to cure herpes once and for all. Any medication can inhibit the replication of the virus, but they will not be able to eradicate the problem that is embedded in the DNA. Each time the immune system weakens, a favorable environment for the development of the disease will appear, and herpes will progress.

As for treatment, doctors most often recommend using the following drugs:

Acyclovir cream or ointment 5%. There are many analogues of the drug - Zovirax, Acyclovir-acri, Hexal, Sandoz. A distinctive feature of these medications is that they cost little, especially if they were produced in Russia. The downside is that the effectiveness of these funds will also be low. In addition, the drugs have distinctive features - they are suitable for every person, regardless of age, which cannot always be said about other medications. The main disadvantage of this drug is that more than 50% of viruses easily tolerate Acyclovir. In addition, it does not penetrate very well through the crust and skin on the lips and does not disperse into the tissues.
Fenistil-pentsivir. It is one of the most popular remedies aimed at combating this disease. The main substance is penciclovir. About 0.2% of bacteria are resistant to this substance, which increases the chances of recovery. This drug can only be used by patients over 12 years of age. The medication contains substances that will help speed up the absorption of the component through the crust, that is, it reaches the skin as much as possible. The advantage of the drug is that it blocks the reproduction of the virus for up to 48 hours after application. In fact, the medication accumulates in the tissues. Compared to the previous substance, the cost of this will be higher, up to 330 rubles.

We recommend reading: Botox or Dysport - which is better?

How to fight a “cold”?

If herpes appears for the first time or in a baby under 6 months, and the disease is accompanied by fever and affects not only the lips, then you need to consult a pediatrician for antiviral therapy.

Often recurrent infections go away on their own. But you can shorten their duration by using local antiherpetic agents (active ingredient acyclovir).

Ways to reduce discomfort:

apply a cold compress to the area of the rash;
avoid sour and spicy foods;
choose cool drinks;
if there is severe pain, then use ibuprofen or paracetamol;
Do not use products containing lidocaine due to possible side effects or overdose.

How to prevent the spread of the virus:

it is important to ensure that the child does not scratch the rash and wash his hands;
use individual dishes, towels, toothbrushes for a child with a herpes infection;
during an exacerbation, you should not engage in contact sports;
a child with a “cold” on his lips should not kiss other people.

Getting to know the disease better

Herpes on the lips, photos of which can often be found on the Internet, are the result of a virus called “herpes simplex virus type 1.” In most cases, infection occurs in early childhood, and then this virus will remain in the human body throughout life in an inactive state. If unfavorable factors for human immunity arise, the virus will immediately begin to make itself known. This manifests itself as follows: herpetic rashes can appear on the lips, completely covering the entire surface of the lips. The sign also appears on the skin near the lips.

When does herpes not need drug therapy?↑

There is no need to use medications for herpes on the inside of the lip if:

it occurs less than 3 times a year;
the illness lasts no more than 5 days;
symptoms are limited to a small area of the lip.

In such cases, it is better to use traditional medicine, especially before the first signs appear, that is, immediately after the lip swells and the characteristic tingling begins. The most accessible and proven remedy is ordinary earwax. If you apply it to the affected area 1-2 times, sores may not occur at all.

To treat labial herpes at home, use tincture of white wormwood, essential oil of fir, cedar or tea tree, cut garlic cloves, and Kalanchoe juice.

Possible complications

At first glance, herpes on the lip or its inner part may seem like a harmless cosmetic disease. But that's not true! The fluid released from herpetic vesicles, especially at stage 3 of the disease, contains a high concentration of the virus. This fluid on the inside of the lip can infect large areas of the oral mucosa, causing herpetic (cold sore) stomatitis.

Herpes stomatitis, especially in infants, can lead to serious complications. These complications often lead to problems with the nervous system, heart and kidneys. The herpes virus is also dangerous for babies due to causing great damage to the child’s immune system, which can lead to frequent illnesses in the future.

Treatment of herpes inside the lip↑

It is impossible to get rid of the herpes virus entirely, because it is a permanent resident in the human body. However, transferring it into a long-term state of remission is quite possible. First of all, you need to monitor the state of your immune system.

Equally important is following a special diet. It is necessary to exclude products that irritate the mucous membrane of the lips:

sweets;
fatty foods;
salinity;
alcohol;
caffeinated drinks.

If herpes is particularly severe, complex treatment using certain medications is indicated.

Criteria by which one can determine the rationality and effectiveness of complex therapy for herpes inside the lip:

duration of the medical course of the disease;
the occurrence of vesicular rashes or their elimination;
the presence of granulations, which indicate the completion of the pathological process.

Doctors compare the criteria before starting treatment and after completing complex therapy. In addition, the timing of remissions between exacerbations of the disease and the incidence of complications are taken into account. Treatment of complex forms of herpes on the lips requires a more serious approach.

Antiviral drugs

If herpes does appear inside the lip, you need to use antiviral medications. As a rule, ointments like Zovirax, Acyclovir, etc. are prescribed. Of course, due to the fact that herpes is located on the inside of the lip, the drug may not be effective enough, since saliva is constantly secreted. However, despite this, lubricating and rinsing your mouth should be done at least 7-8 times a day.

Rinsing

The doctor also prescribes mouth rinse, most often with the drug “Stomatidin”. It has an analgesic and antiviral effect. Use the product undiluted. You can't swallow it! The medication is contraindicated for children under 5 years of age, as well as for pregnant women.

Typically the duration of the disease is 1-2 weeks. If the immune system is weakened, the disease may be prolonged. Herpesvirus can cause serious harm to the body, so it is better not to rely on self-medication, but to immediately consult a doctor. After examination, he will prescribe treatment, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient’s body.

Causes of the disease

The HSV-1 virus, once entered into the body, remains in it forever in a latent and conditionally harmful form.

Over the course of a lifetime, this disease may not manifest itself in any way, or, on the contrary, it may worsen regularly. It depends on the immunity of the specific carrier.

In turn, the activity of the immune system can be disrupted under the influence of such negative factors:

excessive fatigue;
hormonal imbalances;
exacerbation of any infectious chronic diseases;
suffered stress;
avitaminosis;
general hypothermia of the body.

Stay up to date! Often the herpes virus is activated on the inner surfaces of the lips when the mucous membrane is injured. For example, this can be observed when accidentally biting your lip.

Symptoms and 4 stages of development of rashes

In the photo below you can see what a cold on the inside of the lip looks like in a pronounced form. But the symptoms can be divided into 4 stages of development:

Stage 1 lasts about 2 days. A herpetic inflammation forms in the oral cavity, which looks like a small red spot. It periodically causes itching or tingling.
At stage 2, small bubbles begin to appear. They are filled with lymph. At this stage, a large bubble may immediately form. Touching is accompanied by severe pain.
Stage 3 is characterized by the transformation of herpetic vesicles into ulcers. This happens after the bubble darkens and begins to burst. The lymph nodes may become enlarged, which often leads to swelling of the lower jaw.
The last stage is healing. Blisters on the mucous membrane are not covered with a scab, as with skin rashes. Usually after 7-12 days the mucous membrane is completely restored.

Stage 3 is the most contagious and painful. When eating food, there is very strong discomfort, and the contact of liquid with the affected tissue causes a strong burning sensation.

Photo No. 1 - stage 2, photo No. 2 - stage 3.

Simple but necessary prevention

If you want to avoid the appearance of disease on the lips, then you need to:

Wash your hands consistently and regularly.
Minimize direct contact with people who have herpes outbreaks.
Use balms and creams to moisturize your lips.
Wash towels, pillowcases and pillows after each use.
Do not share personal belongings with a person who has herpes.
Use sunscreens and lip balms that contain zinc oxide.

Only by following all the above recommendations can you avoid the manifestation of the disease or quickly eradicate it if it appears.

Read: Laminaria face mask. Details about beneficial properties and contraindications

Preventive measures

Prevention is directly related to avoiding the causes of primary infection and relapses that are described above. It is most likely impossible to avoid infection with herpes. Sooner or later, the virus will still enter the body. And in order to avoid relapses, it is necessary to keep the immune system in good shape - get rid of bad habits, lead a healthy lifestyle, and do not overcool the body.

But if relapses have already begun and prevention is needed in order to get rid of the repeated activity of herpes, then it is necessary to take a preventive course of medication. It should be prescribed by your doctor based on your history of exacerbations and the presence of other illnesses.

To summarize, it is worth recalling that a cold inside the lip should be treated primarily with medications, but not to neglect traditional medicine. It is also necessary to start treatment as quickly as possible - preferably at the 1st stage of symptom development.

Possible complications

Quick Treatment Options

This is important to talk about if herpes was started to be treated in the early stages. Then you can reduce the time of progression of the disease and greatly alleviate existing symptoms. The basis for obtaining this result is the use of high dosages of antiviral drugs. Most often attributed to:

Tablets Menaker, Famciclovir. These are antiviral substances that help fight herpes. 1500 milligrams of the drug are taken immediately, in some cases this dose is divided into two parts of the dose, the interval between which is 12 hours.
The drug Valvir or Valtrex. These are budget funds, but their effectiveness will be slightly less. Used twice a day, 2000 milligrams are applied.

As for the effectiveness of treatment, it will not differ in the case of high dosages of medications or traditional treatment with this drug.

Symptoms and 4 stages of development of rashes

In the photo below you can see what a cold on the inside of the lip looks like in a pronounced form. But the symptoms can be divided into 4 stages of development:

Stage 1 lasts about 2 days. A herpetic inflammation forms in the oral cavity, which looks like a small red spot. It periodically causes itching or tingling.
At stage 2, small bubbles begin to appear. They are filled with lymph. At this stage, a large bubble may immediately form. Touching is accompanied by severe pain.
Stage 3 is characterized by the transformation of herpetic vesicles into ulcers. This happens after the bubble darkens and begins to burst. The lymph nodes may become enlarged, which often leads to swelling of the lower jaw.
The last stage is healing. Blisters on the mucous membrane are not covered with a scab, as with skin rashes. Usually after 7-12 days the mucous membrane is completely restored.

Stage 3 is the most contagious and painful. When eating food, there is very strong discomfort, and the contact of liquid with the affected tissue causes a strong burning sensation.

Photo No. 1 - stage 2, photo No. 2 - stage 3.

Symptoms and 4 stages of development of rashes

In the photo below you can see what a cold on the inside of the lip looks like in a pronounced form. But the symptoms can be divided into 4 stages of development:

Stage 1 lasts about 2 days. A herpetic inflammation forms in the oral cavity, which looks like a small red spot. It periodically causes itching or tingling.
At stage 2, small bubbles begin to appear. They are filled with lymph. At this stage, a large bubble may immediately form. Touching is accompanied by severe pain.
Stage 3 is characterized by the transformation of herpetic vesicles into ulcers. This happens after the bubble darkens and begins to burst. The lymph nodes may become enlarged, which often leads to swelling of the lower jaw.
The last stage is healing. Blisters on the mucous membrane are not covered with a scab, as with skin rashes. Usually after 7-12 days the mucous membrane is completely restored.

Stage 3 is the most contagious and painful. When eating food, there is very strong discomfort, and the contact of liquid with the affected tissue causes a strong burning sensation.

Photo No. 1 - stage 2, photo No. 2 - stage 3.

How to treat herpes on the inside of the lip? Medicines and folk remedies

Manifestations of the herpes simplex virus type 1 can be localized both on the outside of the lips and on the inside.

In such cases, treatment may be delayed due to constant contact of the affected areas with saliva.

Therefore, drug therapy for herpes inside the lip has a special approach.

Symptoms of herpes inside the lip

the formation of small bubbles, which can form groups of 5-10 pieces or more and are filled from the inside with a clear liquid;
burning;
swelling of the affected lip;
slight increase in body temperature;
tingling sensation in areas where rashes are localized;
in rare cases, with severe disease - headache, joint pain, fever and chills.

Compared to the form of cold sores that appear on the outside of the lips, cold sores inside the lips can go away faster even without targeted treatment.

Causes of the disease

The HSV-1 virus, once entered into the body, remains in it forever in a latent and conditionally harmful form.

Over the course of a lifetime, this disease may not manifest itself in any way, or, on the contrary, it may worsen regularly. It depends on the immunity of the specific carrier.

In turn, the activity of the immune system can be disrupted under the influence of such negative factors:

excessive fatigue;
hormonal imbalances;
exacerbation of any infectious chronic diseases;
suffered stress;
avitaminosis;
general hypothermia of the body.

Stages of development

Herpes inside the lip develops in several stages.

Further, herpes develops as follows:

Stage I. The average duration is up to two days, during which foci of inflammatory processes in the mouth only form and appear as redness with a diameter of no more than 5 millimeters. When you touch such areas, tingling, irritation or pain is felt.
Stage II. Inflammation intensifies, pain becomes more pronounced, and redness begins to degenerate into dense swelling.
Stage III. The swellings develop into blisters, and if they are too close to each other, they can merge into a single formation. Pus and lymph accumulate inside the blisters, and in this fluid the concentration of the herpes virus is too high to pierce or open these formations on your own. This can lead to infection of the oral mucosa.
Stage IV. The blisters burst, their contents come out, and ulcers or erosions form in place of the blisters. This stage is the most dangerous in terms of transmitting the virus to others. Therefore, during this period, which can last up to three days, it is necessary to carefully monitor compliance with the rules hygiene and avoid close bodily contact with other people.
This is especially true for kissing.
At this time, the patient himself feels the most severe pain during the entire period of the disease.
In the most severe cases, a short-term deterioration in general health is possible in the form of enlarged lymph nodes and pain in them, as well as swelling of the neck, lower face and lips.

At the fifth stage, healing of the ulcers occurs.

Treatment

Treatment of herpes on the inside of the lip is longer and more complex than the treatment of herpes on the outside.

This is due to damage to the mucous membrane, on which dry crusts do not form during healing.

Moreover, external ointments applied to the affected areas also do not remain on this surface for a long time (they are washed off with saliva).

They are absorbed into the blood and act from the inside, and the dosage of active components in them is higher than in ointments and gels.

Smoking should also be limited during this period.

At the same time, you need to include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. They help strengthen the immune system, resulting in faster treatment.

Drug therapy

To treat herpes inside the lip, it is better to use the least toxic drugs that will not have an additional irritating effect on the mucous membrane.

Such means are:

acyclovir;
medovir;
valacyclovir;
herpevir;
Zovirax;
virolex.

But among these preparations there may be gels that are less preferable for application to internal surfaces.

Due to their thinner consistency, they are quickly washed off from the affected surface with saliva.

Ointments are more viscous, so they last longer.

After applying the drug, you should try not to swallow saliva and refrain from eating for the next half hour.

After this time, your mouth should be rinsed well.

Causes of the disease

The HSV-1 virus, once entered into the body, remains in it forever in a latent and conditionally harmful form.

Over the course of a lifetime, this disease may not manifest itself in any way, or, on the contrary, it may worsen regularly. It depends on the immunity of the specific carrier.

In turn, the activity of the immune system can be disrupted under the influence of such negative factors:

excessive fatigue;
hormonal imbalances;
exacerbation of any infectious chronic diseases;
suffered stress;
avitaminosis;
general hypothermia of the body.

Stay up to date! Often the herpes virus is activated on the inner surfaces of the lips when the mucous membrane is injured. For example, this can be observed when accidentally biting your lip.