Almost all of us are faced with herpes at a certain moment. Rashes characteristic of this condition can appear on the surface of the skin, especially with flu and colds. We can safely say that not all people know that herpes can affect the head. It is important to know that this is a relatively complex disease that, after detection, requires quick treatment.
On the lips, a rash of herpes disappears in about 7 days, while on the hair and head it can last up to a month, and the patient can suffer severe pain. About the treatment of herpes on the head, what its manifestations look like and what this may threaten the patient, it is advisable to find out to everyone who cares about their own health.
Varieties and causes of occurrence
Herpes on the head has an atypical location. It occurs much less frequently than the well-known disease on the lips and in other areas of the skin. The most common today are the three main varieties of this pathology, which appear due to various external and internal factors:
- herpes of the first type, acquired through infection by the oral route, - GT1;
- the second type, sexually transmitted - GT2;
- the third type (chicken pox) - GT3.
Herpes on the head in the hair, the treatment of which we will consider later, is of a viral nature, appearing as a result of the transfer of chickenpox to the victims. Rare cases are noted when the usual colds variant of GT1 causes inflammation in the nasolabial triangle and is then transmitted with infection to the scalp.
A rash in the hair appears very rarely if the infection remains on the damaged part of the skin. For example, if a patient has herpes vesicles on his lips, which are very itchy, and scratching them, he touches the scalp. The presence of minimal trauma there is sufficient for the virus to enter.
Localization
The main location of the herpes infection is the nerve endings. For some time, it may not manifest itself in any way, however, with a pronounced decrease in immunity, there is a risk of a relapse. When herpes enters the trigeminal nerve located on the head, the disease will manifest itself there.
Infection pathways
As noted above, cold sores on the head - on the back of the head, on the top of the head or on the temples - can be obtained by self-infection. Yes, this does not happen often, but it does happen. Often, the virus of the first and third types can be transmitted quite quickly with close contact with the patient, as well as when sharing common objects with him.
Infection with herpes virus is quite often observed in children. Agree, rarely one of them did not have chickenpox - chickenpox. And if it was possible to avoid it, then, during infection, chickenpox is much more difficult for adults to tolerate.
Other ways
You can get herpes on the head in the following cases:
- when the virus is transferred by touching infected areas of the skin with an infected hand or fingers (by contact with skin microcracks);
- the use of the same hygiene items together with the infected person, in particular towels and bed linen, since in these items the infection remains viable for 5 hours;
- with blood transfusion.
You should be careful about using common combs on which harmful viruses and bacteria can develop. If there is even a slight scratch on the head, herpes can quickly begin to develop.
Provocative factors
The virus that affects the scalp is slightly different from the common cold sores on the nose and lips. For its development, it will not be enough just to get a cold disease, as often happens in the presence of a viral infection with an infection of the skin of the face.
The main category of people who are at risk of contracting the described disease with a manifestation in the form of rashes on the head are representatives of a more mature age, over 65 years of age. It is noteworthy that in most cases women suffer from this type of virus, and this is associated with their changing hormonal background.
In young people, herpes of this type rarely occurs. Most often due to a severe immunodeficiency state: the presence of HIV or AIDS. If the disease appears before the age of 40, a person needs to examine the immune system to identify these pathologies or to refute their presence.
The impetus for GT1 can be many factors, prerequisites:
- recent illness;
- unbalanced nutrition;
- short and bad sleep;
- frequent stressful situations, etc.
In fact, this is not a particularly dangerous condition, so herpes caused by such a virus is much easier than GT3.
Symptoms of the disease
Outwardly, the symptoms of herpes on the scalp practically do not differ from the symptoms of this disease on the lips. However, it is rather difficult to discern transparent vesicles habitual for herpes in the hair. The disease usually begins with relatively elevated temperatures. In case of damage to the trigeminal nerve, the entire period of the patient may be disturbed by severe pain.
The inflammatory process develops in stages, and the symptoms of herpes on the head in the hair can be different.
- At first, it can be confused with the symptoms of a common cold. In addition to high temperature, the patient may experience pain in the eyes and muscles, a feeling of nausea, a headache, as well as a deterioration in overall well-being. Itching and even burning may occur in some parts of the body. The skin can become swollen and hyperemic. Usually, herpes of this type appears in the neck and temples.
- After about 10 hours, transparent vesicles form on the head, and over time, they become more and more. In the absence of competent therapy, inflammation can expand to fairly large areas of the skin.
- If the rashes do not bother, they will burst, forming small wounds. An infection can develop in them, because of which suppurations often appear. It is noteworthy that the temperature may subside, the patient may feel improvement, but the pain will continue to be noticeable.
- Healed wounds become crusted after some time. They are extremely undesirable to damage, so as not to increase the duration of the process of complete recovery. After a few days, the crusts will fall off on their own.
Often, a patient with this disease has an increase in lymph nodes. Treatment of herpes on the head in the hair in this case requires immediate.
Complications
Without proper treatment, herpes on the scalp can cause quite serious and dangerous complications. For example, it may be neuralgia, which is accompanied by debilitating pain. If the immunity is significantly reduced, soreness can persist even with the disappearance of external signs.
Since the infection is quite active on the nervous system, painful sensations may appear in the nerve endings. The localization of pain is affected by the affected area of nerve fibers. If they are excessively inflamed, a person may develop paralysis of the facial muscles, as well as a violation of their mobility.
The danger is also that herpes of this type is located near the brain, and, penetrating inside, the virus can cause meningoencephalitis. In addition, there is a risk that the infection will spread through the eyes and ears, and once in the nose, herpes migrates directly to the lungs, causing pneumonia.
A virus of this type without urgent and adequate therapy can cause a lot of negative consequences, therefore, at the first manifestations of its symptoms on the head, you should immediately visit a doctor.
Herpes Treatment
Only a doctor should choose a regimen for the treatment of herpes on the head in the hair. Self-treatment can cause quite sad complications.
The optimal drug is Fenistil Pencivir, the price of which in local pharmacies varies from 300 to 400 rubles. Taking medications should begin when its first symptoms appear. This will help accelerate recovery, and also help prevent potential complications.
Therapy regimen
Therapy of herpes is carried out according to the scheme of translational acceptance by the patient of the necessary medications for the treatment of medications:
- Antiviral pills. The dose should be determined by the doctor leading the patient, who will take into account the general condition of the patient. Effective is the drug "Famciclovir", the instructions for use of which indicate that it is allowed to use by adults from 18 years of age. In addition, doctors usually prescribe Famvir, Zovirax, Minaker, Valvir and Valtrex. In case of infection with the baby virus, the most appropriate Acyclovir for children is used. The instruction for the use of this tool involves its adoption by children of different age categories.
- Antiviral ointments. Such funds prevent the spread of herpes rash in other parts of the head. This includes “Fenistil pencivir” (its price is also approximately 300-400 rubles).
- Immunomodulators. They make it possible to maintain the optimal natural immunity of the patient. There are quite a few medicines that a doctor can prescribe. It is categorically not recommended to use them on your own, as if improperly selected, immunomodulators can harm your health.
- Antiseptics for topical use. This type of therapeutic effect helps prevent the likelihood of reinfection. It is recommended to lubricate the inflamed areas on the head with Chlorhexidine, Miramistin or Fukortsin. With the formation of crusts, it is recommended to treat the skin of the head with an ointment containing erythromycin. Additionally, this will accelerate the process of tissue regeneration.
- Soothing and pain relievers. When treating cold sores on the head in the hair, they help minimize pain, allowing the patient to sleep normally. With a more severe course of the disease, it is recommended to use antidepressants.
If the patient has a high temperature, antipyretic drugs may be prescribed. Physiotherapy is quite effective: laser treatment, irradiation with an ultraviolet or quartz lamp, UV.
Herpes Prevention
In order to prevent the occurrence of herpes on the head in the future, you need:
- exclude all kinds of contacts with sick people;
- observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- if possible, isolate the infected;
- temper the body;
- regularly walk in the fresh air;
- avoid excessive physical exertion;
- eat properly;
- observe the regime of rest and work;
- timely treat chronic diseases, eliminate inflammatory foci.
Among other things, as mentioned earlier, at the first suspicions of chickenpox in a child, after consulting with a doctor first, you need to immediately start using Acyclovir for children.
Instructions for use "Famciclovir" also provides for an effective effect on the body infected with herpes infection, but only in adults. By the way, these funds can be used as a prophylaxis.
Herpes on the head is a rather insidious pathology, which can provoke the development of certain complications. A disease of this type should be treated very responsibly and immediately seek medical help when identifying the first symptoms. Only proper and timely treatment can help remove the virus from the body without consequences and various complications.