Herpes on the cheek can occur at different ages. A herpes infection of the 1st type provokes the development of this disease. The peculiarity of such a pathology is that, having penetrated the body, the virus remains in it forever. It is impossible to completely recover from this ailment, but it is still necessary to eliminate it in order to prevent the occurrence of complications.
Provocative factors
Herpes on the cheek has different reasons, but they are united by one thing - the deterioration of the immune system. Its weakening can trigger the following factors:
- Vitamin deficiency, especially in spring and winter.
- Frequent use of strong tea and coffee.
- Bad habits (smoking and alcohol).
- Colds.
- Hypothermia or overheating of the body.
- Strong nervous shocks, depression, stress.
- Adhering to low-calorie diets.
It is because of these reasons that a herpetic rash often appears on the face. True, in some cases, you can become infected with the virus if hygiene is not followed. It should be remembered that herpes on the cheek is a contagious disease that can remain active for 24 hours on soap, a towel and other objects. That's why you should not use other people's things.
Infection occurs especially quickly if the skin is dry and there are small cracks on them. It is through such damage that the herpes virus enters the body, causing rashes on the cheeks. At first, he does not manifest himself in any way, so the infected person does not even realize that he has become his peddler.
How does herpes appear on the cheek?
The photos presented in the article allow you to see what the rash looks like with such a disease. Before the occurrence of herpes, the cheek begins to itch, and then an irregularly shaped red pimple already appears. After 2-3 days, bubbles appear in its place, similar to small blisters with a diameter of not more than 5 mm. They appear in groups or are single.
The main sign of herpes is the limitedness of its localization. After about a day, liquid forms in such vesicles and an unbearable itching appears. In the area of the rash, the skin becomes painful, sometimes even the temperature rises. You should not comb herpes blisters, as the infection can spread quickly to other parts of the face. In addition, ugly scars will remain on the cheek from this.
Herpetic eruptions on the cheek begin to crust after about a week. The liquid will become more cloudy, after which the bubble will burst and a small sore will appear. Then gradually the crust begins to separate at the edges of the formation.
Can there be cold sores on the cheek of a child?
Unfortunately, children are more susceptible to this disease than adults, because they have thinner skin and weak immunity. The child will immediately become infected with herpes if he uses a patient’s towel. A similar ailment in children is difficult, because they do not tolerate itching from rashes and pain, therefore they constantly comb sores, due to which the area of damage increases. That is why, as soon as herpes appeared on the cheek, treatment should not be delayed.
Possible complications
It is necessary to begin to eliminate herpetic eruptions in time to accelerate recovery and prevent the development of negative consequences. This virus can cause the following problems:
- Paralysis of the muscles of the face.
- Eye disease.
- Meningitis
- Inflammation of the lungs.
- Neuralgic pains that persist even after the rash disappears.
Such complications usually arise with severely weakened immunity, which is not able to fight infection. Less dangerous relapses in herpes can be considered the spread of rashes on the ears, scalp, mucous membranes of the eyes and eyelids.
Drug therapy
If herpes appeared on the cheek, it means that the body's immune defense has weakened. For this reason, the first thing you need to start taking drugs to strengthen it. The elimination of such an ailment is a complex process that includes not only treatment with medications, but also the use of ointments, as well as adherence to the daily regimen and diet. Only following all the doctor's recommendations will help get rid of a rash on the face.
Herpes on the cheek should be treated with antiviral drugs containing acyclovir. Such products include Herpeval, Valdrex and Zovirax. For external use, ointments such as:
- Fenistil.
- Zovirax.
- Vivorax.
- Pencivir
With extensive damage, when the disease has affected the entire face, antiviral agents are administered intravenously, but only as directed by the doctor. The following drugs help strengthen immunity during the treatment of herpes on the cheek: Cycloferon or Likopid.
Elimination of herpetic rash on the face at home
Before treating herpes on the cheek with folk remedies, you should definitely consult a specialist. Alternative medicine offers different methods of prevention and elimination of this disease.
It is advisable to add more fruits and vegetables to the diet during therapy, especially beets, apples, garlic and carrots, as well as products containing beta-carotene and ascorbic acid. A decoction from the leaves of viburnum, currant, raspberry and rosehip berries helps to fight the herpes virus.
Another good tool made at home is brewed coffee. Use it in the form of ice cubes. It helps a lot in the early stages of the disease.
With a herpetic rash on the cheek, it is worth trying to eat a few cloves a day. True, to avoid complications of the virus, you will have to take this spice for a long time. It is contraindicated for people suffering from gastritis and ulcers, as well as during pregnancy.
To treat herpes on the face , propolis tincture is often used, which is easy to prepare on your own. It is enough to mix bee glue with alcohol. The resulting mixture should be left to infuse for a week, shaking it regularly. Such a tincture is wiped every day with a rash on the cheek. You can also drink it in 20 drops.
Do it yourself ointment for herpes
To get rid of a rash on your face, you can prepare a cream of instant coffee, natural yogurt, granulated sugar, chopped garlic and sugar. These components are thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Blisters on the cheek are treated with this tool, and it is not necessary to rinse it off, it itself will disappear after drying.
Herpes ointment is often made from ash. To do this, burn a piece of paper, mix the ashes with mashed cloves of garlic and liquid honey. The mixture is applied to the affected areas of the cheek.
Essential oil treatment
Different oils based on medicinal herbs will help eliminate herpes on the cheek. There are many essential extracts that are allowed to be applied pointwise to problem areas of the face in its pure form. They can also be combined with oils. Such extracts include geranium, thuja, bitter almonds, tea tree, cedar, fir, eucalyptus, tea tree, sage, bergamot, lavender and juniper.
If the skin is sensitive and dry, it is better to dilute the essential oils with vegetable oils. With oily skin, it is allowed to apply them undiluted. A mixture made from 10 ml of calendula tincture, 10 drops of any ether and boiled water will help eliminate rashes on the cheek. With this mixture, problem areas on the face are wiped several times a day.
Preventative measures
To avoid the occurrence of the herpes virus, it is imperative to remember prevention. After all, in time warning the appearance of the disease, in the future it will turn out to forget about it for a long time. You need to follow simple rules:
- Avoid overvoltage and stressful situations.
- Stick to sleep.
- Eat foods rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins.
Everything else, you must always wash your hands after a walk. Do not eat with someone else’s fork or spoon. If your hands are dirty, it’s better not to touch their face. If a herpetic rash on the lips is detected, active washing of the skin and applying makeup will have to be abandoned. Otherwise, infection may spread to other parts of the face.
If blisters on the cheek occur in one of the family members, all towels in the house must be sanitized. An infected person should use separate cutlery. Herpes treatment should be started when the first symptoms appear. Such simple rules will help prevent infection and the development of pathology.