Many people are familiar with the expression “ cold lips . It is usually used when a bubble with transparent contents forms in the lip area, which subsequently bursts and the affected area becomes covered with a crust. Cold sores are an infectious disease caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2. The source of infection can be infected people, both with and without pronounced signs of herpes. Cold sores on the lips are not limited to the presence of the virus only in this area. In patients the herpes virus is detected in such body fluids as blood (including menstrual fluid), urine, discharge from the nose and tear ducts, vaginal secretions, amniotic fluid and sperm. How the virus is transmitted and how to treat herpes is discussed in this article.
How does herpes infection occur?
As mentioned above, colds on the lips are caused by two types of viruses - herpes virus type 1 and herpes virus type 2 . Infection with herpes virus type 1 mainly occurs in childhood and adolescence. The main routes of transmission of infection are contact (for example, through personal objects) and airborne droplets (by inhaling the virus, kissing). However, infection can also occur through oral-genital contact. Infection with herpes virus type 2 occurs through direct sexual contact and is therefore more common among young people and adults. Transmission of pathogens of both types 1 and 2 can occur from mother to fetus (transplacentally), and also in isolated cases through infected blood products (parenterally). It is worth noting that the risk of infection increases significantly if an infected person has herpetic rashes on the skin and mucous membranes.
Prevention
The secrets of prevention, how to get rid of constantly appearing herpes on the lips and reduce the possibility of its recurrence, are quite simple:
- according to all the rules, cure fresh herpetic rashes using antiviral and drying ointments;
- strengthen the immune system with the help of immunomodulators, vitamin therapy;
- Do not touch shared utensils with your lips without treating them additionally.
If your partner has herpes, personal relationships also need to be adjusted to preventive measures - in other words, avoid kissing (not only on the affected lips, but also on intimate places where genital herpes can develop. Even if the herpes “only popped up” on the lips – it is possible that the pathogen may be on the mucous membrane of the genital organs, although their morphological changes have not yet been observed).
Knowing how the herpes virus type 6 is transmitted in children (and it is transmitted through breastfeeding and through saliva, most often from the mother), it can be prevented as follows:
- if you suspect you have a disease, do not kiss your child;
- do not give water to your child from your own mug;
- stop breastfeeding;
- Do not “clean” a baby’s dropped pacifier or pacifier in a quick way by sucking it in your mouth (an archaic method that, nevertheless, for some reason has taken root among mothers).
Related services: Consultation with a dermatologist Dermatovenereology
Forms of herpetic infection
There are several forms of herpes infection. The bullous form of herpes is characterized by the appearance of blisters that can reach the size of a plum. The abortive form occurs without the formation of a blistering rash, and at the site of the lesion there is swelling and small cone-shaped elevations above the surface of the skin or mucous membranes. The most severe forms of herpes are ulcerative, ulcerative-necrotic and gangrenous. They are characterized by the appearance of vesicles with hemorrhagic contents, the appearance of long-term non-healing deep ulcers that leave scars. The development of the gangrenous form occurs in people weakened by any diseases, as well as in elderly patients with gastric ulcers, diabetes mellitus and other concomitant pathologies.
Is toothpaste effective for herpes on the lips, and which one?
To treat herpes on the lip, toothpaste is often used. This is a proven folk method that allows you to quickly get rid of ulcers on the lips, even with an advanced form of the disease.
The paste should be applied at night as the product must work for a long time. The mixture is applied directly to the abscess and left until completely dry for 3-4 hours, or overnight.
Toothpaste dries out herpes boils and growths and helps to get rid of them quickly. But for the product to help, you need to use a paste only with a natural composition.
The ingredients should not contain artificial fragrances or dyes. A cheap white paste with propolis or medicinal herbs is best.
Provocateurs of herpes infection
Colds on the lips rarely have an acute form; a chronic course of the disease is much more common. According to WHO, approximately 70% of people around the world are infected with the herpes simplex virus and about 10-20% of patients experience various symptoms of herpes infection. Exacerbations of chronic herpes occur for a number of reasons. The main factors that lead to relapse are emotional and physical stress, hypothermia, sexual intercourse, menstruation in women, concomitant diseases (ARVI, including influenza), ultraviolet radiation and others.
We treat herpes on the lip in 1 day with folk remedies
Folk remedies are highly effective in fighting colds on the lip and are suitable if you urgently need to get rid of ulcers and growths that spoil the aesthetics of your face.
Traditional methods can be used either in addition to the above remedies or separately.
- Essential oils contain completely natural components obtained from the processing of medicinal plants. For the treatment of herpes, lotions made from sea buckthorn and fir oil, as well as tea tree oil, are excellent.
- Propolis tincture helps get rid of many diseases. Including labial herpes. The healing tincture can be applied in small quantities to ulcers and growths, and also use lotions soaked in this remedy.
- Treatment with garlic is the most unusual method of combating a cold on the lip. But, despite its pungency, the plant copes with its task perfectly. To get rid of herpes boils, garlic is grated and placed in gauze. Such lotions must be done every 3 hours for effective recovery.
Natural tea tree oil helps me a lot. I only apply it to the affected areas. Lubricating should be done every couple of hours, and it is important to use a natural, quality product.
Usually, cheap pharmacy oils are not very effective, and it is better to purchase high-quality, proven companies.
Why is the herpes virus dangerous?
The herpes simplex virus affects many organs and systems. Herpetic blisters can appear on the mucous membranes of the vagina, cervix, urethra, mouth and skin, and with an extensive process they can appear in the liver and brain. Herpes can cause dysfunction of both the autonomic and central nervous systems. In addition, the herpes virus is associated with cancer, unfavorable pregnancy, childbirth, as well as pathologies in the fetus and newborns. According to the World Health Organization, the mortality rate from severe forms of the herpes simplex virus is 15.8% compared to other viral infections and ranks second after deaths from influenza (35.8%). In our country, the number of patients diagnosed with herpes infection every year exceeds 2.5 million. Patients with chronic herpetic lesions of the skin and genitals make up more than 10% of the total population of Russia.
Symptoms of herpes
The clinical picture of the disease depends on the type of pathogen and the location of the affected area. Infection with all strains of herpesvirus is characterized by redness of the skin or mucous membranes and the appearance of blisters. Pain and burning may be felt in the inflamed area. But you can’t puncture the blisters, as this will worsen the course of the disease.
After two or three days, the bubbles begin to burst. In their place, ulcers form. The affected area on the lips is covered with a crust, and on the mucous membranes it is filled with fibrinous tissue. If antiviral treatment is not carried out, the disease will reappear when immunity decreases.
Often, when the disease occurs, the body temperature rises to 37–38 degrees. Therefore, in everyday life it is often called a cold. But herpesvirus is not the cause of acute respiratory diseases. Treatment of labial herpes with cold remedies is ineffective. It is necessary to determine the type of herpes virus and undergo a treatment regimen prescribed by a doctor.
Herpes lips
Infection with herpesvirus type 1 often results in blisters on one or both lips. A day before their formation, the patient may feel general weakness. The bubbles burst on their own on the second or third day. Instead, a crust appears that cannot be peeled off. It disappears on its own after seven or ten days.
In the eye area
The herpes virus can cause inflammation of one or both eyes, as well as the eyelids. Touching this area with unwashed hands often causes damage to this area. Symptoms of the disease are:
- pain or stinging in the eyes;
- increased photosensitivity;
- redness of the mucous membranes;
- formation of blisters on the eyelids.
Advanced herpes in this case is dangerous. Complications of the disease can cause complete loss of vision and the formation of scars on the eyelids. When the first symptoms of eye damage appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Herpes face
Lesions may occur on the forehead, chin, both cheeks, the back and tip of the nose, and on the ears. Often the affected area appears where there have already been microtraumas on the skin.
In the oral cavity
Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity is called “herpetic stomatitis”. This disease in children is accompanied by gingivitis (inflammation of the gums). When the bubbles with liquid burst, erosions are formed, covered with a whitish coating. Redness is observed around the erosion zone. A person experiences pain while eating and brushing his teeth.
Genital herpes
The disease affects the pubis, buttocks, genitals and anus. Clusters of bubbles with liquid inside appear on the skin. The area around them turns red, pain, itching, and irritation appear. Genital herpes is transmitted through barrier-free sexual intercourse. The cause of infection can be touching the groin area with unwashed hands.
Treatment of herpes
The herpes virus enters the body through the mucous membranes and settles in the nerve ganglia for life. Therefore, it is impossible to completely get rid of the pathogen. However, with proper therapy, it is possible to reduce the intensity of the rash, significantly reduce the duration of the prodromal period and reduce the frequency of exacerbations. Treatment of herpes at home includes antiviral therapy using antiherpetic drugs. But since colds on the lips are accompanied by immunodeficiency, the treatment regimen also includes immunomodulatory agents, for example, interferon preparations or its inducers. In the combined treatment of herpes, the drug Viferon can be used, which resists viruses and corrects protective functions. Using the drug in a treatment regimen allows you to quickly relieve the symptoms of herpes and prolong remission. In addition, the good tolerability of the drug makes it possible to use it in children and pregnant women.
Based on materials:
1. Malinovskaya V.V., Delenyan N.V. et al. "Viferon". Guide for doctors. M. 2004. 6. Malinovskaya V.V., Uchaikin “Viferon (suppositories and gel) in the complex therapy of herpes virus infections”, A.A. Haldin, D.V. Baskakova, A.N. Vasiliev. 2. “Algorithm for the treatment of exacerbations and secondary prevention of herpes simplex with Viferon”, A. A. Khaldin, I. V. Polesko. 3. “Algorithm for the treatment of exacerbations and secondary prevention of herpes simplex with Viferon”, Haldin A.A., Polesko I.V.
Loading...
Take other surveys
Infection
Almost 85% of the population are carriers of herpes simplex virus type 1. Primary infection usually occurs in early childhood, for example, through contact with the mother, relatives, and other children. The primary infection may go unnoticed, but in some cases, with weakened immune defenses, severe herpetic symptoms and even severe lesions are possible with an incubation period of 2 to 12 days.
Primary infection occurs, as a rule, through the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and the virus spreads throughout the body, invades all cells, and multiplies. During the first week, the immune system suppresses the infection, but does not recognize and cannot suppress viral particles that have invaded the axons of nerve cells. In such “viral depots,” a herpes infection remains for life and serves as a source of relapses of herpes (secondary infection of the body). Statistics show that after a primary infection, on average, in three out of ten cases, under certain conditions, recurrence of herpetic symptoms occurs, and in one out of a hundred infected people, symptoms of herpes on the lips .
Reactivation of the virus and its uncontrolled reproduction of the virus in the body occurs when the immune system is weakened, which can be facilitated by various factors: skin irritation, burns (including sunburn), irritation of nerve nodes (for example, during dental procedures), stressful conditions, hormonal imbalances , colds, fever, infectious diseases and others.
The important thing is that the risk of infection comes not only from people with visible symptoms of herpes on the lips, but also from those without symptoms. Reactivation of the virus does not necessarily lead to external manifestations such as colds or fever on the lips, but is accompanied by the appearance and reproduction of viruses in the mucous membranes.
