The article describes various types of herpes rash and photos. Herpes appears on the human body in the form of an itchy rash, which can appear on the skin of a child or adult. The disease spreads easily through the air, in contact with a person infected with the virus. For the treatment of pathology, a complex treatment prescribed by a doctor is required. If there is no medical assistance, the virus can cause serious complications.
The types of herpetic rash will be described below.
Herpes: is it contagious to others?
The disease is very contagious, especially during an exacerbation, in which herpetic eruptions appear on the skin. The transmission of the virus to a healthy person from an infected person is carried out in several ways:
- Airborne - the virus enters the body with air. The possibility of transmission increases when staying at a distance of two meters from the patient.
- Household - through utensils and personal hygiene items.
- Primary infection if sexual contact occurs without protection.
- In the vertical way - to the child from the mother during childbirth or pregnancy.
- When transfusion of fluids and organ transplants, if sterility is impaired.
- Contact method - by touching an infected person.
Appearance
At the initial stage of the disease, no external symptoms are observed, a herpetic rash is absent, however, the patient feels pain in certain areas of the body, general malaise. Then the skin is covered with transparent bubbles. Liquid-filled blisters form small clusters. In areas in which vesicles appear, the epidermis acquires a pinkish or red color.
A herpetic rash in some cases can form clusters that look externally like large spots. They spread over a rather vast surface on the body. After a few days, all the bubbles burst, sores appear in their place, and gradually they crust. When such formations heal, bright spots or traces remain on the integument of the skin.
Types and features of rashes
A herpetic rash on the body can be caused by one or several types of disease at once. Herpesvirus is the most common infection in the world. A herpetic rash often appears on the genitals, on the face and very rarely on the body. This virus is one of the DNA viruses that populate nerve cells, and it is almost impossible to completely cure them. About two hundred types of herpes virus were found. The most common are:
- Herpes simplex of the first type.
- The second type of herpes simplex.
- Varicella zoster or chicken pox.
- Epstein-Barr virus.
- Herpesvirus of the sixth type.
- Cytomegalovirus.
Herpes simplex
Herpes simplex includes a virus of the first and second type. More than 60% of situations are characterized by a rash due to the first type. Herpetic rash, as a rule, is localized on the lips and their edges, in the mouth. In the people, such manifestations are called "colds." If hygiene is not observed or the wound is combed, then during the acute phase of the disease there is a risk of transmission of the infection to the groin, eyelids, eyebrows, eyes and other parts of the body.
The second type of herpes virus provokes rashes in the groin, on the buttocks, genitals, and perineum. In rare situations, it is manifested by rashes in the legs, hips and back. Symptoms of activation of herpes simplex differ in their features: at first the patient feels a tingling and itching under the skin, sometimes burning. After this, redness is observed in the area where the infection is spread, very soon a herpetic rash appears on the body in the form of acne or vesicles. Inside each acne is a liquid, transparent substance. Acne bursts after a couple of days, and sores and wounds appear in their place. Such a process will be accompanied by severe itching.
After some time, the scab is covered by the scab, which subsequently disappears on its own after healing of the wound. The areas on which the vesicles were located acquire a pink color. The skin is completely restored in 1-2 weeks. The disease normally lasts a maximum of two weeks. With very weak immunity, new rashes can form, in which more thorough additional treatment is required.
Shingles and chickenpox
Shingles and chickenpox causes chickenpox virus, also called varicella-zoster. The herpetic rash on the body of a child in primary school and preschool years will be easier to tolerate than in older and adult people.
Skin lesions form in the abdomen and on the head, if the case is complicated, it is transferred to the whole body. Such herpes virus can provoke severe painful rashes in the body. In this case, the person’s condition is described as serious, the risk of complications increases. The disease is always accompanied by a fever, high fever and body aches. If the varicella-zoster virus appears again, it provokes shingles. It is localized in the upper body, on the cover of the skin of the back and chest, accompanied by tangible soreness, and it can remain for several months after the disappearance of symptoms.
Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus
The fourth type of herpes, or Epstein-Barr virus, causes the appearance of infectious mononucleosis. Internal systems, organs and mucous membranes are damaged. This type of herpesvirus does not appear externally, herpes vesicles are absent. It is dangerous to human life and health, because it is not as easy to determine it as other species.
The fifth type of herpes, or cytomegalovirus, is accompanied by a herpetic rash in children and adults. Similar types of viruses are included in the nervous system and in the internal organs. A skin rash can be localized in any area of the body - on the head, trunk or limbs. Common signs of cytomegalovirus are similar to symptoms of SARS: temperature rises, general malaise and headache are felt.
A photo of a herpetic rash on a child’s body is presented in the article.
On the body in children
The risk of exacerbations of the virus in children rises to four years. Herpesvirus enters the child's body by airborne droplets, by contact and household from peers or adults infected with herpes. Infection of a child with a genital type of disease can occur during childbirth from the mother. Herpetic rash in children (pictured) is accompanied by mild skin itching and tingling, pain may appear. When accompanied by a fever, sleep disturbances can occur. With attacks of genital herpes, a light color of feces and darkening of urine are noted.
The main symptom of infection with a child's herpes is the appearance of a rash on the skin. It presents externally small blisters that are filled with fluid. Where bubbles appear, severe itching is felt, they bleed when combed. The prevalence of herpes rash in children is determined by the type of virus. Pimples with the genital type can pop out in the genital area and perineum. If smallpox virus, which causes chickenpox, gets in, bubbles form on the back, limbs, sides, stomach and chest.
Diagnosis of rashes with herpes
Herpetic eruptions are determined by the following diagnostic methods:
- Virological culture - great for establishing genital herpes.
- Analysis for the determination of antigen. Thanks to microscopic analysis of the biomaterial, the presence of antigens (markers) is detected on cells infected with the virus.
- Polymerase chain reaction - this technique allows you to determine the type of virus.
- Carrying out an analysis for antibodies - thanks to a blood test, the presence of antibodies that are produced by the human body to fight the herpes virus is determined.
Herpes Treatment
It is undesirable to try to get rid of the herpes virus localized on the epidermis of the body, since the disease can cause serious complications. Treatment of pathology includes various medications. Physiotherapeutic procedures will help the manifestations of the virus in a child and elderly people to win in the early stages. It is very useful to use vitamin therapy and folk remedies. To improve the condition, you need to observe personal hygiene and a diet.
What drugs to treat herpetic rash on the body in an adult and a child?
Medicines
A specialist should determine the treatment regimen with medications for skin herpes. For the treatment of pathology, several groups of drugs are used:
- antiviral drugs in injections or tablets ("Zovirax", "Virolex", "Acyclovir");
- external antiviral agents (Viru-Merz Serol, Acyclovir, Herperax);
- painkillers and anti-inflammatory non-steroidal medicines (Lidocaine, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen);
- antiseptics (streptocide, Chlorhexidine, Miramistin);
- immunomodulators ("Polyoxidonium", "Cycloferon").
The main goal of treatment is to fight the virus. The most popular and effective antiherpetic agents are the following drugs:
- "Acyclovir" is an effective and popular medication. The medicine is dispensed in the form of an injection powder, tablets, ointment and cream. The effect of the drug is explained by the ability to suppress the synthesis of herpesvirus DNA. The advantages of the tool include the fact that in addition to the main effect, it helps strengthen the immune system. Any dosage form has a minimal list of contraindications. Assign a cream course from 5 to 10 days. He is smeared with a rash every four hours. Apply the ointment with the same frequency. The most optimal amount is a strip about a centimeter long. Ointment should be used until the symptoms disappear completely. "Acyclovir" in tablets is prescribed orally 200 mg every hour.
- "Pencivir", "Fenistil" is a topical preparation for the purpose of antiviral treatment. Indication for its use is a simple type of recurrent herpes. The advantage of the drug is the absence of contraindications, in addition to the high sensitivity of the body to the composition and age of the patient up to 12 years. Squeeze the cream on the tip of your finger, lubricate acne every two hours. The therapeutic course lasts four days.
- “Famciclovir” - this antiviral medicine is used for infection with the herpes virus. The drug is released in the form of tablets. It is suitable for the treatment of adult patients who do not have an allergic reaction to the active ingredient. You need to take in a dosage of 250 to 500 mg. The duration and frequency of use is determined by a specialist.
Physiotherapy
When treating a herpetic rash on the body (pictured), physiotherapy becomes one of the most effective methods of treatment, which improves immunity, disinfects wounds and relieves pain. The following types of physiotherapy are used:
- Ultraviolet irradiation - the procedure accelerates recovery and eliminates pain sensitivity. It consists in exposure to affected areas of the body with UV light. The treatment course includes five procedures that are carried out every 2-3 days once.
- Laser infrared therapy - the infrared radiation absorbed by the tissues turns into heat. Such an effect reduces the sensitivity of nerve endings, stimulates the processes of restoration of the skin integument. As a result, inflammation heals faster and pain syndrome disappears. Perform the procedure in a prone position, periodically moving the emitter along the affected areas. The course includes ten sessions of treatment of herpes rash in adults and children.
Diet
To increase the effectiveness of treatment for people with herpesvirus, it is advisable to follow a diet. It is necessary to exclude chocolate and cocoa, nuts, seeds, tomatoes, fatty foods from your diet. In the morning, replace coffee with green tea. It is recommended to eat food that contains a large amount of lysine: kefir, cottage cheese, milk, fermented baked milk, yogurt. Seaweed salad gives the body iodine. It is necessary to give preference to dishes of poultry, eggs and potatoes, fresh vegetables and fruits. To further support the immune system, you need to drink vitamins E, C and A.
Folk recipes
During the treatment of herpetic rash on the face and body, alternative methods become effective. Before using them, you need to consult a specialist. As a home treatment, such natural remedies are suitable:
- Take a fresh leaf of aloe and cut across into two parts so that the juice goes from the plant. The side with the emerging fluid should be applied to the site of the rash. Apply a bandage or band-aid on top. Leave the compress for several hours. You need to repeat this procedure three times a day until the symptoms completely disappear.
- Buy propolis tincture in a pharmacy. Dampen a cotton swab in a small amount. Gently burn blisters 2-3 times a day on the body until the rashes are crusty. Lubricate the lesions after the procedure with cream with chamomile extract.
- Buy camphor oil, fir oil or tea tree oil. Dip a cotton swab in a liquid. Oil the bubbles at least three times a day, until they dry out.
Prevention
In order to minimize the possibility of infection with the herpes virus, experts advise to follow the following recommendations:
- try not to contact infected people;
- comply with personal hygiene requirements;
- to eat fully and balanced, every day to enrich the diet with vitamins, minerals and amino acids;
- avoid excessive stress, stress, ensure a full sleep;
- if there is no regular partner, have only protected sex;
- give up bad habits;
- take medications to prevent immune malfunctions.