Home Remedies for Herpes

Herpes usually refers to herpes simplex, a disease that is caused by herpes simplex viruses, typically involving blisters and/or inflammation. There are several types of herpes infection, depending primarily upon the location of the infection – for example, herpes labialis, also known as fever blisters or cold sores, involves the development of sores on the lips, while herpes keratitis, a less common infection, involves inflammation and the development of lesions on the conjunctiva and the eyelids. The viral infection known as shingles is also known as herpes zoster, but this is a completely different infection, caused by a completely different virus – the varicella zoster virus, which also causes chicken pox.

Herpes Infections – Those caused by herpes simplex viruses – are unfortunately incurable. Once the virus has entered the body, there is absolutely no way to get rid of it. Treatment is primarily symptomatic, although there are a few antiviral medications that slow down the virus, thus giving the immune system a better chance of fighting it. This is an important part of treatment, so you should consult your doctor at the earliest, rather than relying solely upon home remedies and lifestyle changes. Medical treatment is particularly important for infections of the eyes or brain, as these are serious and dangerous infections.

Home remedies and lifestyle changes can however help in managing outbreaks when they do occur. A cold compress is the most effective and reliable treatment for almost any kind of herpes outbreak. Simply wrap a few cubes of ice in a clean, soft hand towel, and gently press the towel against the affected area for at least five minutes, several times a day. If the ice is inconvenient or uncomfortable for you, you can instead simply dip the hand towel in cold water, squeeze out the excess water, and then place the towel on the affected area. Some people find that using warm water provides greater relief, and you can try this too. A lukewarm bath also helps reduce the pain and inflammation, and is particularly effective if you spend a few minutes soaking in the bathtub. Apart from this, you simply need to be strict about hygiene – wash the affected area several times a day, and then dry it thoroughly. For genital herpes, make sure you wear cotton underwear, and change them daily. Lysine, an amino acid that is found in large quantities in pulses, eggs, meat, and cheese, is also supposed to help fight the virus. There is as yet not enough proof to support this theory, but you can safely increase your intake of these foods.