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Skin Disorders and Treatment
Acrochordons
Acanthosis Nigricans
Actinic keratosis
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Alopecia Areata
Anal Warts
Angioma
Amoebiasis
Aphthous Ulcer
Athlete's Foot
Atopic Dermatitis
Baldness
Blackheads
Blue Nevi
Browen's Disease
Bullous Pemphigoid
Candidiasis
Cavernous Hemangioma
Cellulite
Chilblains
Chapped Lips
Cracked Heels
Cysts
Dandruff
Dark Circles
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Dermatitis
Dermatofibroma
Dry Lips
Dyshidrotic Eczema
Eczema
Enlarged Pores
Epidermolysis Bullosa
Erythroderma
Eye Stye
Facial Rashes
Fibroadenoma
Flexural Psoriasis
Fordyce's Condition
Folliculitis
Freckles
Furunculosis
Genital Herpes
Granuloma Annulare
Grovers Disease
Hand Dermatitis
Heat Rash
Herpes Simplex
Herpes Zooster
Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Hirsutism
Hot Tub Folliculitis
Ichthyosis
Impetigo
Ingrown Toe Nail
Intertrigo
Keloid
Keratoacanthoma
Keratosis Pilaris
Leucoderma
Lichen Planus
Lichen Sclerosus
Lichen Simplex Chronicus
Lichen Straitus
Liver Spots
Lupus Erythematosus
Lymes Disease
Lymphomatoid Papulosis
Mastocytosis
Melasma
Morton's Neuroma
Mucocutaneous Candidiasis
Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum
Paget's Disease
Pemphigus Vulgaris
Pityriasis Versicolor
Pityriasis Rosea
Pruritis Ani
Shingles
Tinea Versicolor
Tinea Cruris
Venous Angioma
Vulvodynia
Xerosis
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Herpes Simplex
Herpes simplex is commonly referred to as cold sores or fever blisters. It is a viral infection of the skin that may occur once or return again and again. A mother who has genital herpes can pass the infection on to her newborn if she delivers the baby vaginally. A finger infection, called herpetic whitlow, is another form of herpes infection. It usually affects health care providers who are exposured to oral secretions during procedures. Sometimes, young children contract the disease. It is a viral infection of the skin that may occur once or again and again. Herpes infections are very common. It is estimated that nine out of ten people have been exposed to herpes. Many people are infected and don't even know it. Unfortunately those who carry herpes can spread the disease without even knowing it. There are two types of herpes simplex virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2. Sometimes HSV-1 or HSV-2 enters through a break in the skin of a finger, causing a swollen, painful, red fingertip. There are two kinds of herpes virus, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 virus causes 60% of the cold sores so common on the lips and face. The other 40% of cases are caused by type 2. On the genitalia these percentages are reversed, that is 40% of genital herpes cases are caused by type 1 and 60% of cases are caused by type 2.
- Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is sexually transmitted.
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is usually associated with infections of the lips, mouth, and face
- Once you have herpes simplex type 1, you cannot be reinfected with the type 1 virus. You can however be infected with the type 2 virus.
- Fever, sun exposure and menstruation can act as trigger factors, which cause the virus to travel down the nerves to the skin and cause the outbreak known as herpes or cold sores.
- Herpes simplex is caused by the herpes hominis virus.
- Herpes simplex is transmitted by sexual contact, kissing, or other close contact. Family members should not share towels or linen with someone who has an outbreak of herpes on the genitalia or cold sores. Herpes can spread from person to person even when an infected individual has no outbreak or symptoms.
Causes of Herpes Simplex
Most people get Type 1 infections, which cause cold sores, during infancy or childhood. They usually get it from close contact with family members or friends who carry the virus. It can be transmitted by kissing, sharing eating utensils, or by sharing towels. The sores most commonly affect the lips, mouth, nose, chin, or cheeks and occur shortly after exposure.
However, the following are known triggers that can stimulate a recurrence:
- Physical stress
- Poor emotional coping style
- Persistent stressors for greater than 1 week
- Anxiety
- Fever
- Exposure to ultraviolet light
- Nerve damage
- Tissue damage
- A suppressed immune system
- Heat
- Cold
- Menstruation
- Other infections
- Fatigue
Symptoms of Herpes Simplex
Symptoms of Herpes Simplex when they occur tend to be milder and heal much more quickly, typically within two to twelve days. Herpes Simplex Infections with the virus that causes genital herpes are common among teen girls. Herpes Simplex the incidence and prevalence of both strains of the virus among adolescent women.This common infection is known also as 'fever blisters'. The first symptom is itchiness and tingling at the site of the developing infection, usually on the edge of the lips. Blisters soon appear and later burst to become crusted sores. The person usually feels unwell. The infection occurs only occasionally in some people but frequently in others. More than 60% of new HSV-2 infections and about a third of new HSV-1 infections do not produce symptoms.
Symptoms may include:
- In starting there occur infection and a fluid accumulation at the infection site. Then there occurs small, grouped blisters.
- The blisters may dry out and heal rapidly without scarring with 7 to 10 days. Blisters in moist areas heal more slowly than others.
- The lesions may sometimes itch, but itching decreases as lesions heal.
- There may be genital lesions in both males and females and may be preceded by burning or tingling sensation
- Light grade fever may present in the starting stage of disease.
- There may be painful urination, and swollen and tender lymph glands in the groin.
Treatment of Herpes Simplex
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To treat genital herpes, the doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine like acyclovir in the form of an ointment or pills. These medications can't cure HSV2, but they can help make a person feel better and shorten the duration of the outbreak.
- Many people have reported significant results with natural treatments such as Choraphor and similar skin solutions. A drug called acyclovir is effective in treating herpes simplex. It must be taken by mouth. There is a cream form, which is basically a waste of money because it only shortens an outbreak from 14 days to 12-13 days and it is expensive. For the first attack of herpes simplex, acyclovir needs to be taken for 7-10 days.
- Herpes is treated with an antiviral medication that reduces symptoms and dries up the blisters. People who get HSV-1 or -2 frequently or have severe outbreaks may take this type of medication daily to prevent symptoms.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help reduce pain. Aciclovir is a very expensive drug in its branded form, but generic forms of aciclovir are becoming available. These are manufactured in a large number of countries, and have made the cost of treating herpes simplex somewhat more affordable in middle and low income countries.
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Skin Treatments