Herpes is dangerous because this virus is transmitted in all possible ways: airborne, sexual, generic and contact. According to global statistics, 90% of the world's inhabitants are its carriers. Another danger: the disease does not manifest itself in any way. But only until the time when for some reason your immune system does not weaken.
Most often, herpes affects the mucous membranes and skin. The most common location of his appearance is the nasolabial fold, toes, trunk. But herpes on the thigh (on the inside) is not uncommon. It is called the tinea. We will talk about the causes of this disease, its characteristic symptoms, diagnosis, therapy and prevention further.
Pathogen Separation
Today, scientists know eight types of pathogens of this infection. But the most common are the first three:
- First type. It occurs on the lips in the form of bubbles filled with liquid. Also known as the "cold on the lips."
- The second type. The appearance of rashes in the genital area.
- The third type. The second name is the Varicella-Zoster virus. Its symptoms are similar to chickenpox and shingles.
As for herpes on the thigh, legs, feet, it is caused by pathogens of the third type. It differs in the secretive course of the disease. The patient for a long time does not suspect that he is a carrier of the virus. However, herpes on the hip begins to show itself with a number of risk factors. Which, we learn further.
Causes
We will get acquainted with the causes of herpes on the hip. The most common is household contact with the carrier of this virus. What could it be? Close, sexual contact with herpes sufferers on the inside of the thigh.
Also, genital herpes can “spread” to the thigh if the patient does not take good care of the ulcers that appear: it is necessary to carefully treat with the solution not only the vesicle itself, but also the areas around it.
Risk factors
Herpes on the hip may not be self-evident for a long time. Risk factors can provoke its active, open stage:
- Strong physical overwork.
- Chronic stress
- A set of bad habits: addiction to alcohol, tobacco, drug addiction.
- Serious chronic diseases: diabetes mellitus, ARVI, HIV, AIDS, etc.
- Intoxication of the body.
- Long exposure to ultraviolet rays.
- Painful menstruation.
- Violation of the regime of wakefulness and rest.
- Unstable, impaired activity of the immune system.
- Severe hypothermia / overheating.
- Wrong diet.
- Taking medications for autoimmune diseases.
- Frequent colds.
- Taking medications that somehow suppress the strength of the immune system.
Main symptoms
Imagine the symptoms, a photo of herpes on the hip. The main symptoms of the disease are as follows:
- The appearance of reddened areas of the skin. Over time, they increase in size, covered with bubbles, blisters filled with a colorless liquid. Then the latter darkens. When the bubbles burst, sores appear in their place.
- High temperature (this is a reaction of the body to the spread of non-cellular agents).
- Sensation of aches in the body.
- General deterioration of health.
- Dry mouth.
- Itching in the affected area.
- Swelling, pain, burning at the site of the rash.
- Lack of appetite.
- An increase in the size of the lymph nodes (or one of them).
- Nausea.
- A feeling of heaviness in the spine.
Symptoms begin to manifest themselves both on the second day, and after 2-4 weeks from the onset of the active phase of the infection.
Features of rashes
Herpes on the hip (photos are presented in the article) can manifest itself in three variations:
- The appearance of single, isolated from one another rashes and spots. The easiest form of infection.
- Herpes zoster on the inside of the thigh (in women, men, and children). Bubbles and sores are at some distance from each other.
- Tinea rashes. The most complex and painful form of the disease.
Specific symptoms
In some patients, herpes on the thigh (the photo shows the characteristic features of such rashes) can manifest itself only with signs characteristic of a viral infection in general:
- An increase in the size of the lymph nodes.
- Fever.
- Headache, and sometimes dizziness.
- Decreased appetite.
- Nausea, vomiting.
- Trouble sleeping.
If the patient's body is highly sensitive, then postherpetic neuralgia or neuralgic pains may develop in response to the infection. Against the background of changes occurring with the body, overall well-being worsens.
Diagnostics
The appointment of treatment for herpes on the thigh is possible only by a qualified specialist. To make sure of the diagnosis, he needs to conduct a number of diagnostic measures. The simplest and most accurate is a visual examination of the patient. But to confirm the diagnosis (in particular, the causative agent of the infection), tests are prescribed:
- PCR This is a polymerase chain reaction.
- IFA. It stands for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
- REEF. The name of the analysis is the immunofluorescence reaction.
In the laboratory today it is possible to clearly determine both the type of pathogen, and the stage of its activity, the concentration of the virus in the body.
In some cases, additional diagnostic tests may be prescribed:
- The immunogram.
- Serological analysis.
- DOT hybridization.
- Serological analysis.
- Vulvolokolotsotservikoskopiya.
Basically, they are selected if the patient has an unusual, complex form of infection. Or the doctor doubts about the treatment regimen.
Therapy regimen
Treatment of herpes on the hip (photo of the rashes you can see in the article) is necessary, since the disease causes a severe deterioration in the quality of life. Moreover, its neglected forms are fraught with the development of complications.
Usually, the doctor prescribes the following treatment program:
- Testing, periodic visits to the attending physician.
- Reception, use of prescribed antiviral drugs - tablets, ointments, injectable solutions.
- The use of immunomodulators (drugs that stimulate the body's defenses).
- Reception of antihistamines.
- Compliance with bed rest, the patient's appeal to a balanced, healthy diet. Exclusion from the diet of foods that can have an irritating effect on the body - caffeinated drinks, sweets, pastries and so on.
- Regular change of bath accessories, bedding and underwear.
The dosage of drugs, the duration of the treatment program is calculated by the medical specialist individually for each patient. In the most general case, therapy takes about one month.
Drug treatment
In the article, we consider the symptoms, photos, treatment of herpes on the hip. As for drug therapy, the following drugs can be distinguished here:
- Drugs that suppress the activity of the pathogen virus itself.
- Immunomodulating agents. Medicines that activate the body's production of interferons. Here you can highlight "Cycloferon", "Amiksin", "Viferon."
- Painkillers.
- "Zelenka". A popular remedy is applied to wounds to dry them, as well as to disinfect ulcers.
- Ointments that have a depressing effect on the herpes virus. This is "Herpevir", "Zovirax" and so on.
Folk remedies
As an auxiliary therapy, you can also refer to a number of proven folk remedies:
- Bathing with sea salt. According to the instructions, a salt solution is diluted in water. The patient should lie in the bath for at least 20 minutes. Or dip your feet at this time down to areas affected by herpes.
- Taking a bath with tincture of hawthorn. It is recommended to lie down in water for at least 30 minutes.
- The internal use of a decoction of lemon balm will strengthen the immune system, and a decoction of Lungwort will prevent recurrence of the disease.
- Such remedies of additional therapy as tinctures of Chinese magnolia vine, golden root and prickly eleutherococcus have also proven themselves well.
All of the above is allowed to be used only with the permission of the attending doctor! Otherwise, you can aggravate the course of the disease, cause its complications.
Complications of the disease
In most cases, the active form of herpesvirus infection is amenable to complex therapy. But if the patient's immunity was greatly suppressed, the following consequences are possible:
- Pneumonia.
- Encephalitis.
- Meningitis.
- Inflammation of a number of internal organs - kidneys, digestive tract.
- Arthritis is herpetic.
- Damage to both the urinary and reproductive systems.
- Violation of the work of blood vessels, heart muscle.
- Conjunctivitis.
One of the most common complications is neuralgia. This is a severe itching, excruciating pain in the infected areas of the body. Antiviral agents are not able to eliminate such a problem. The patient is additionally prescribed painkillers, antidepressants, vitamin complexes, physiotherapy.
Disease prognosis
It is important to remember that this infection is not completely cured. Once in the body, the causative agent of herpes remains there forever. "Lives" in various branches of the nervous system (in particular, in the nerve ganglia).
But despite the fact that the number of people infected with herpes is quite large, only 5% of the carriers of the virus suffer from it in active form, on average. The body's defenses are able to restrain the effects of the pathogen on the body.
Prevention
The best prevention of both herpes and a whole series of infectious diseases is to strengthen your immunity. These are very simple recommendations:
- Appeal to a balanced diet, the use with food of a sufficient amount of vital minerals and vitamins.
- Balanced mode "work / rest".
- Lack of systematic emotional overstrain, stress.
- Moderate physical activity on the body.
- Following the simple rules of personal hygiene: wash your hands before eating, after the street, use only your bath accessories, toothbrush, cosmetics and so on.
- Refusal of bad habits: smoking, addiction to alcohol, constant overeating.
- An appeal to an active lifestyle - from constant long walks in the fresh air to sports.
Speaking specifically about herpes, the following can be added to the list of preventive procedures:
- The use of Zoster. This is the name of the herpes vaccine. Be careful - it has a large list of contraindications. In particular, it can not be administered with acute respiratory viral infections, a tendency to allergies, during pregnancy.
- Reception of immunomodulators. If for some reason you have systematically weakened immunity, you can turn to taking these funds. But only an immunologist can prescribe them. Before this, you must undergo a general examination and pass the tests prescribed by your doctor.
To summarize. Herpes on the thigh is caused by pathogens of the same type of virus of the third type. Most often, it can be recognized by characteristic rashes (vesicles and sores) on the inner thigh. However, to prescribe treatment, you must definitely go to the doctor! An individual therapy regimen will be drawn up - both local drugs, and tablets, injections. With the permission of the doctor, you can also turn to auxiliary, alternative therapy.