Skin herpes, a photo of which is presented in the article, is one of the more well-known human diseases, the causative agent of which is the herpes simplex virus. On earth, 85% of the inhabitants are infected with this type of virus. According to the data of multiple European studies, by the age of 18, more than 92% of the inhabitants of settlements are infected with one or several species of at least six essential viruses. In more detail about how to treat skin herpes, see the article.
Causes
Herpes viruses, there are approximately 200 types. In the domestic representation, the disease is expressed in a rash in the groin and on the lips, rarely on other parts of the body.
However, this does not apply to those viruses that severely affect the skin and provoke the appearance of ulcers.
In most situations, the following are the causes of a herpes rash on the body:
- significant weakening of immune defense;
- relapse of a disease that a person has recently suffered;
- primary infection with certain varieties of herpes viruses.
Each type of skin disease herpes has its own symptoms, the nature of the disease, the extent and severity of the lesions.
Types
Types of viruses that cause rashes:
- Simple 1st type. Localization occurs on the lips, but it can be transferred to the eyelids, eyebrows, nails, groin, rarely to other areas.
- Herpes simplex of the 2nd type. Appears on the inguinal zone - on the genitals, buttocks, hips. Very rarely localized on the back and arms.
- Chickenpox, or as it is popularly called - chickenpox. Rashes on absolutely the whole body, and after a relapse of the disease - herpes zoster on the ridge and sides of the torso.
- Epstein-Barr disease. It induces acute infectious mononucleosis. A standard form is formed without a rash, however, taking medications can affect its expression.
- Herpes of the 6th type. It is characterized by the appearance of pseudo-rubella. It usually occurs in infants; a rash along the trunk is similar to standard rubella.
- Cytomegalovirus. A common disease, however, is extremely rare leading to lesions on the body.
Symptomatology
Skin herpes, the symptoms of which are presented later, are quite easily diagnosed, so ordinary herpes stands out on the skin quite strongly. The rash is a significant number of colorless vesicles, which become whitish in color as the disease forms.
Localization
The method of infection and the place of the initial infection in the body has a great effect on the localization of rashes:
- Near the mouth.
- In the inguinal zone, on the genitals, in some cases in girls in the vagina and in both sexes on the surface of the rectum.
- On the buttocks, mainly with genital infections during sex.
- On the eyebrows, eyelids, in some cases on the conjunctiva, initiating herpetic conjunctivitis.
- Under the nails and near the cuticle. This option is called herpetic panaritium.
- On the face, ears of athletes engaged in contact sports. It is called wrestling herpes. It is characterized by high temperature.
- On the scalp. It causes scalp irritation, dandruff.
- In the folds of the skin - under the knees, near the elbows. Damage is like a scratch. The form is typical for patients with immunodeficiency or with weak immunity.
- In people suffering from dermatitis, in the form of eczema-like ulcers.
It is worth noting that only the initial 3 points are quite common, others come across infrequently. The rash on the lips and in the groin area is more often expressed in the frosty periods of the year, significantly exacerbates the appearance and in some cases even causes the formation of complications.
Chickenpox
Consider chickenpox and its other manifestation - shingles. Chickenpox often affects a child under 10 years old. Like other varieties of herpes viruses, varicella zoster (chickenpox) does not leave the body permanently. It remains in the nervous tissues and is able to manifest itself after a significant drop in protective functions at any age. In this case, it acquires the configuration of shingles.
Chicken pox is characterized by a painful rash all over the body, which causes itching. If you comb the affected area, the rash turns into ulcers or wounds, it becomes even more painful and this contributes to the penetration of other infections into the body.
First, there are red spots, which, as the disease forms, are converted into papules filled with a colorless liquid. Most often, they can be detected 2-3 weeks after infection.
Wind exanthema passes in full, however, as soon as the immune system weakens, it is expressed by other signs and in another form - herpes zoster or herpetic.
Its characteristic features:
- The affected area is small.
- There are no vesicles. Rashes are similar to simple defects of a dermatological cover.
- Unilateral trunk lesion. It can occur only on one side, for example, on one side of the ridge, very rarely appears on the legs and arms.
Shingles can provoke several significant complications, for example, postherpetic neuralgia, which is characterized by powerful pain in the rash zones and does not go away for a couple of weeks, this complication can accompany a person for years.
Baby Roseola
As mentioned earlier, it often affects infants, and the type of rash is very similar to a rash with rubella. Symptoms of cold sores on the body may be accompanied by fever. This type of virus can provoke cramps, encephalitis, or meningitis in a child.
Rashes are similar to those with ordinary herpes, however, more grouped and reddish, they do not itch so intensely. Pass through 5-8 days.
Epstein-Barr and Cytomegalovirus
A rash on the body for these 2 types of virus is not considered a characteristic sign. Cytomegalovirus passes in many patients as a whole without any symptoms, but if the immune system is weak, it generates a mononucleosis-like syndrome, which has similar symptoms with infectious mononucleosis, which can provoke the Epstein-Barr virus.
Skin rashes during these diseases in most cases are expressed only when taking medication. It should be noted that these diseases can not be cured with antibiotics, because they are absolutely ineffective in this case.
But both mononucleosis and mononucleosis-like syndrome itself, these diseases have every chance of expressing themselves through other pathologies that can be treated with antibiotics.
Rashes are often not very visible, occur on the sides, hips, in the groin area. It is extremely rare to be painful and disappear after a couple of days.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis is based on a medical picture. Differential diagnostics is carried out with polymorphic erythema and pemphigus vulgaris.
The conclusion is confirmed by the cytological method. In the first 1-2 days after the occurrence of vesicles, scraping is collected from them and stained according to Romanovsky-Giemsa, where huge cells with basophilic cytoplasm with 2-3 or more nuclei are found.
Treatment
Treatment of cutaneous herpes (photos of the disease are presented in the article) must certainly be comprehensive and personal. Those who constantly experience suffering from herpes justifiably resort to supporting potent medications for oral administration that suppress the dynamics of the virus. They reduce the number of exacerbations, but on the other hand, it leads to the development of resistant types of the virus, and in some cases to even greater suppression of immunity.
So, drug therapy for herpes should be prescribed by the attending physician (dermatovenerologist, gynecologist, immunologist).
The treatment method is determined based on the type of virus. Specialized strong drugs are used only in case of likely significant complications, for example, they can be prescribed to pregnant girls, people suffering from immunodeficiency, and neonatal diseases.
How to treat more popular types of skin manifestations of herpes:
- Rashes initiated by herpes simplex, as well as chickenpox, are treated with peculiar immunoglobulins in the form of injections or with antiviral substances such as "Acyclovir", "Panavir". Immunoglobulins are a more acceptable method, since they do not have a large effect on the formation of the fetus in pregnant women and do not contain toxic substances. They try not to prescribe antiviral drugs to girls in the situation, however, in some cases, reduced doses are determined.
- Herpes on the trunk with mononucleosis and mononucleosis-like syndrome is not treated, but simply stop taking medication.
- With pseudo-rubella, signs of heat are stopped. The rash goes away on its own after a couple of days.
- For children from 3 years of age and older, relapse may be prescribed interferon in order to improve immunity. However, such steps are advisable only in case of serious consequences, due to the fact that these funds have various side effects.
- If the disease is accompanied by high fever and digestive upset, they begin to fight these symptoms only when they have already manifested themselves to a large extent.
- Rashes and sores are treated with ointments that help get rid of pain and irritation.
- With chickenpox, iodine and zelenka are used.
- With a simple infection, the rash is lubricated with aloe oil, sea buckthorn.
Folk methods
If you were taken aback by a fever on your lip, and there wasn’t a special cream under your arm, you can use folk methods.
To reduce irritation, you can add ice or a used tea bag to the bubbles for a couple of minutes (tea has tannic acid, famous for its antiviral properties). Tea tree and sage oils with a disinfecting effect are also suitable.
You can also use the adaptogen group:
- ginseng tincture of 15 drops 2 times a day;
- alcohol extract of Eleutherococcus 20-40 drops 3-4 times a day;
- Aralia tincture large 20-30 drops 3 times a day.
Prevention
The prevention of cutaneous herpes in children and adults is, first of all, in strengthening immunity. It is necessary to adhere to the routine of sleep and rest, remember about hardening. During SARS and influenza epidemics, it is important to beware of staying in crowded places.
For those who often have exacerbations of herpes, it is recommended to monitor the state of immunity and undergo a study, including the presence of other hidden infections.