Probably, every person, at least once in his life, waking up, felt discomfort in the lips. They itched, itchy, throbbed and slightly ached. “Again, this hated cold sore,” we thought, rummaging through the medicine cabinet in search of an effective remedy for the infection. Unfortunately, doctors say that the disease is incurable. And if it is activated more often than three times a year, we can talk about weak immunity. What methods to “put to sleep” in the body herpes on the lips? The causes of the disease, discussed in this article, can serve as an answer to an important and relevant question.
Disease characteristics
What kind of ailment is herpes on the lips? The causes and methods of treating the disease are described in detail in any medical guide. It says that this is a very common virulent infection, which is characterized by the appearance of blistering and painful rashes on the skin. In especially severe cases, they cover not only the entire lip, but also the area around them - the cheeks and chin, thereby forming one continuous ulcer covered with a crust.
Once in the body, herpes remains there until the end of human life. Usually he is in a "sleeping" state, but in some periods it can worsen. Aroused by a hated infection is capable of stress, illness, hypothermia. Therefore, in order to prevent the activation of the virus, the individual must lead a healthy lifestyle: eat right, exercise, and become steeled. Herpes is afraid of such manipulations, since they not only strengthen the body, but also increase immunity. And he, in turn, is the main enemy of the disease.
Main reasons
Various factors create fertile soil on which herpes on the lips “thrives” safely: the causes can be primary and secondary. The first are the ingestion of the virus into the body. You can get infected even at birth, as well as in any public place, in contact with people. As for the secondary causes, they are associated with regular activation of the infection. Most often, relapse occurs due to exacerbation of chronic diseases, intoxication, previous psychological stress, poor nutrition, physical exhaustion, bad habits, hormonal disorders.
At primary infection, the main symptoms may not be observed. Often this phenomenon occurs when the patient "picks up" a different type of virus. In this case, due to the protective functions of the body, the so-called annihilation occurs - the transformation of bacteria into antibodies. Secondary manifestations of the disease are manifested not only due to weak immunity. In some people, they can get out even due to banal reasons: for example, prolonged exposure to the sun or drinking strong coffee.
Transmission methods
Herpes on the lips, the causes of the appearance and treatment of which in each individual case are purely individual, has common ways of infection. Sometimes an infection enters the body when a person has close contact with a sick individual - during sexual intercourse or with a kiss. But in most cases, you can get an unpleasant gift with ordinary household touches: through dishes, towels, washcloths. In addition, there are other ways of transmitting herpes: at birth - from mother to baby, as well as an airborne method. In the latter case, it is not necessary that the person near you sneezes or coughs. Simply communicate with him at a distance of less than a meter.
All people are equally susceptible to the virus. However, doctors say that 3% of the entire planet’s population never suffers from it, since they have innate and permanent active defense mechanisms. Moreover, these representatives can’t even become infected: their body doesn’t let in harmful bacteria. Simply put, their disease always bypasses them.
Risk group
People with weak immunity get into it. Sometimes relapse occurs for completely different reasons. For example, it can cause various injuries and illnesses - especially HIV. The connection between diabetes and the continuous activation of herpes is also traced. It occurs against the background of other somatic diseases, with prolonged use of drugs, regular abuse of alcohol and drugs. Pregnant women and nursing mothers are also at risk: during this period, their body is especially susceptible to infections. Often sick small children and elderly pensioners, overly emotional people and workaholics.
The first infection most often occurs in 3 years. It is at this age that kids begin to actively communicate with peers and adults. They visit children's educational and entertainment facilities, where it is very easy to catch a different infection. Most are acutely ill and feel all the characteristic signs of the disease. Others become carriers of the pathogen that causes cold sores on the lips. Causes, prevention, treatment of the disease for them are irrelevant.
Stages of the disease
Herpes on the lips, the causes of which are indicated above, has several periods of development. The disease cycles are as follows:
- First stage. Symptoms appear after an incubation period that lasts from 7 to 30 days. In the area of the lips, a person feels mild itching and tingling. Discomfort lasts for several hours. If you use medicines at this time, you can avoid the further progression of the disease.
- Prodromal period. A place that itches, swells. Small transparent blisters appear on the skin, which after a while become cloudy and begin to hurt.
- The acute stage. It is characterized by rupture of the blisters and the formation of ulcers.
- Healing period. Ulcers are covered with crusts, which later disappear.
The recovery of the body lasts about a week. If the disease is not completely treated, relapse occurs after a few days. Bubbles cannot be combed, otherwise they will heal for a very long time, and small scars may remain in place of especially large formations.
Treatment
Herpes on the lips, the causes and treatment of which are known to every qualified doctor, can be overcome with the help of acyclovir. This is a substance that is a component of DNA and an analogue of deoxygunosin. The creator of the drug on its basis under the same name received the Nobel Prize in medicine.
Nowadays, many herpes medications are produced, the main component of which is acyclovir:
- Zovirax. Very effective in the initial stages - until bubbles appear. If you lubricate his lips even before the appearance of the main symptoms, you can avoid the further development of the disease. Panavir works in a similar way - if it is used at the stage of bubble formation, it, like Zovirax, will not guarantee the achievement of the desired result.
- Valacyclovir and Famvir. More aggressive drugs are sold exclusively by prescription. The first medicine is available in the form of tablets: they are taken only in severe cases of the disease. When the first sign of infection appears, you need to drink 4 capsules. After 12 hours, repeat the dose in the same amount.
Among the drugs, Famciclovir, Dexpanthenol, Allomedin, Alpizarin, Herperax and others are also distinguished.
Other therapies
Not only antiviral drugs help forget what herpes is on the lips. The causes and treatment methods described in the medical encyclopedia are supplemented by interesting facts. First, it is not the disease itself that needs to be eradicated, but the factors that provoke its activation. Most often it is a weak immunity. Accordingly, a person needs to raise it, strengthen it, to muffle the symptoms of the disease and avoid further relapses. Not surprisingly, the patient is often prescribed immunomodulating medications based on echinacea: homeopathic capsules Aflubin, Genferon in the form of suppositories, aerosol Probifor, and so on.
Secondly, patients are recommended to take lysine, an amino acid that helps to regenerate the skin, it is advised to treat the lips with zinc-based ointments that have drying, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. An interesting fact is that previously a vaccine was often used to treat complex forms of herpes. But studies have shown that it does not properly affect the infection, so in developed countries they abandoned this method of treatment.
Home treatment
Herpes on the lips, the causes of which are often associated with a weakening of the protective functions of the body, can be treated with traditional medicine. Valocordin is often used for these purposes - they treat the affected area of the tissue. Normal toothpaste also helps. A thin layer of it is applied to the bubbles and left overnight. No less effective means is fir oil: they smear their lips every two hours. Some people note that after using the drug they have an unpleasant burning sensation. If it intensifies, the oil must be washed off.
Propolis tincture helps against herpes. Liquid should be used to burn bubbles seven times a day, observing an interval of one and a half hours. After manipulation, the lip is lubricated with a moisturizer. By the way, an ordinary teaspoon helps pacify herpes and alleviate the patient’s condition. It is dipped in hot tea and applied to the affected area. The procedure is quite painful, but it is very effective: especially at the first stage of the development of the disease.
A few more methods of traditional medicine
How to treat cold sores on the lips? The causes of the disease can be different, but the methods of therapy are often similar. It has already been proven more than once that aloe juice, which you need to lubricate your lips several times a day, copes with the disease. If the bubbles appeared due to hypothermia, then salt will become a real salvation. A few grains should be applied to the desired area and left for several minutes.
Herpes can also be treated with sea buckthorn and tea oil, garlic juice, a mixture of honey and apple cider vinegar. Be sure to try all the folk remedies, they are especially relevant when formations on the lips have not yet appeared, and the place of their future localization is already beginning to bother with itching. Urgent measures should be taken in the early stages, otherwise the disease will progress. The virus can cause serious complications: if it gets into the cervix, for a woman it is fraught with infertility. When bacteria begin to attack the nerve structures of the body, it can cause various kinds of neuritis.