What is herpes?
Herpes is a common viral skin infection on and around the lips
Herpes is a common viral skin infection on and around the lips"Why does herpes happen?" The answer to the question is, in summary, the virus named herpes simplex. This virus causes painful sores on the lips, gums, tongue, roof of your mouth, and inner cheeks. It may also rarely cause complaints such as fever and muscle aches. The herpes simplex virus only affects humans. Although oral ulcers are most common in children aged 1-2 years, they can affect people of all ages. People contract the herpes virus by touching infected saliva, mucous membranes, or skin. Because it is highly contagious, most people have been infected with the virus before adulthood. After the herpes virus enters the body, the infection manifests itself in three stages:
• Primary infection. The virus enters the skin or mucous membrane and multiplies. At this stage, symptoms such as mouth sores and fever may develop. The virus may not cause any sores or symptoms. The person does not realize that he has herpes. This is called an asymptomatic infection. Asymptomatic infection is twice as common as symptomatic disease.
• Passive period. The virus moves from the infected area to the nerve tissue in the spine called the dorsal root ganglion. It reproduces in this region and becomes passive.
• Relapse. When a person experiences emotional or physical stress, the virus can reactivate, causing new sores and symptoms.
Why does herpes come out?
Herpes is a viral skin infection. The answer to the question "what causes herpes" is briefly the herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1). HSV-2 virus, on the other hand, more often causes sores in the genital area. However, both types of viruses can infect the mouth and genital area. Most people are infected with the HSV-1 virus by age 20. After the initial infection, the virus goes dormant in the facial nervous tissues. In later periods, it becomes active from time to time and causes recurrent infections. The virus is most contagious when a wound is present. But even if there are no symptoms, the virus can be transmitted to others. Shared eating utensils, shavers, and towels, as well as kissing, can cause the spread of HSV-1. In addition, HSV-1 can be transmitted to the genitals through oral sex and HSV-2 to the lips.
Why does herpes appear on the lips?
The herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores, prefers the areas around the lips and mouth for infection. However, symptoms are not always limited to this area. In some individuals, herpes can also occur in the triangular area called the philtrum between the upper lips and nose, inside or outside the nose, on the chin, neck or cheek. Herpes can also occur in people with a weak immune system, who have had an organ transplant, or in cancer patients. This is a very dangerous condition and can lead to blindness.
What are the symptoms of herpes?
Some individuals encountering the HSV-1 virus for the first time develop mouth sores. Others have no symptoms. The time between contact with the virus and the appearance of symptoms is known as the incubation period and is 2 to 12 days. For most people, this period lasts for an average of 4 days.
After first encountering the virus, symptoms are most common in young children aged 1 to 5 years. Symptoms can be mild or severe and usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after contact with the virus. Complaints can last up to 3 weeks and in most cases heal completely within 2-3 weeks without leaving any traces. Symptoms are often milder in herpes that recurs after the initial infection. Warning signs that appear just before a cold sore include:
• Itching on the lip or the skin around it,
• Burning, pain,
• Tingling
Before the bubbles appear, the following complaints can be seen:
•Throat ache
•Fire
•Tiredness
•Muscle pains
•Headache
• Swelling in neck lymph nodes
• Pain while swallowing
• Irritability
Fluid-filled blisters or redness due to herpes; may appear on the lips, gums, mouth, or throat. The bubbles appear suddenly in clusters. These blisters soon burst and turn into open sores. The wound appears as small, shallow, gray ulcers on a red base. After a few days it starts to crust over and looks drier and yellower. Oral wounds are painful and the pain is most severe at the beginning. Eating and drinking becomes difficult due to pain.
Sores can occur on the lips, gums, front of the tongue, cheeks, throat, and roof of the mouth.
• Gums may be slightly swollen and red, and bleeding may occur.
• Neck lymph nodes may become swollen and painful.
• Herpes virus can cause shallow ulcers and a grayish coating on the throat and tonsils in young people in their 20s.
The factors that trigger the symptoms can be listed as follows:
• Menstrual periods or hormonal changes
• Overexposure to the sun
• Fever due to increased body temperature
• Stress
• Infections
• Irritation and dryness of the lips
What's good for herpes?
Antiviral, antimicrobial, and immune-boosting compounds are often helpful in treating herpes. Some help limit the spread of the virus. Others reduce the likelihood of recurrence of the infection or relieve pain and discomfort. Not every method will work for every individual. However, various natural products can be preferred to reduce complaints and prevent future exacerbations. Some of the natural products and foods that are good for cold sores include:
• Probiotics. Probiotic foods such as yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and sauerkraut naturally strengthen the immune system. If consumed regularly, herpes can be prevented.
• Foods rich in vitamin E. Vitamin E can help relieve the pain and discomfort caused by herpes by soothing the skin. With its antioxidant properties, it repairs damaged skin and reduces inflammation. Almonds, spinach, sweet potatoes, avocados, sunflower seeds and olive oil are rich in vitamin E.
• Foods containing high vitamin C. Vitamin C increases the number of white blood cells that help protect the body against invaders. Foods rich in vitamin C can be consumed to strengthen immunity, improve skin health and accelerate the healing of herpes. Oranges, red peppers, green peppers, cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, strawberries, grapefruit and kiwi contain plenty of vitamin C.
• Zinc. Zinc is an essential trace mineral needed to reduce inflammation and boost immunity. A study published in the field of alternative medicine treatments found that zinc oxide cream is an effective treatment for oral herpes infection. Creams containing zinc oxide and zinc supplements are good for cold sores.
• Aloe vera gel. Aloe vera gel can be used to treat skin conditions such as cold sores. Aloe vera contains antioxidant vitamins, enzymes, minerals, fatty acids and various hormones that help prevent infections.
What the reason of herpes?
As the herpes virus becomes active from its dormant state, preliminary signs such as itching, numbness, and burning appear on the lips and around them before the sores appear. As soon as these signs are felt, when some natural products are applied to the related area, herpes can pass without the appearance of blistering sores. For this purpose, the following can be tried:
• Garlic. Garlic is crushed and applied to the itchy area 4-5 times a day.
• Honey and royal jelly. Honey is mixed with royal jelly and applied to the itchy area 2-3 times.
• Vanilla oil or extract. Vanilla oil or extract is applied as soon as itching and tingling sensation is felt.
If you have a severe herpes complaint despite all the precautions and it recurs frequently, it would be beneficial to apply to a health institution.What's good for herpes?
Antiviral, antimicrobial, and immune-boosting compounds are often helpful in treating herpes. Some help limit the spread of the virus. Others reduce the likelihood of recurrence of the infection or relieve pain and discomfort. Not every method will work for every individual. However, various natural products can be preferred to reduce complaints and prevent future exacerbations. Some of the natural products and foods that are good for cold sores include:
• Probiotics. Probiotic foods such as yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and sauerkraut naturally strengthen the immune system. If consumed regularly, herpes can be prevented.
• Foods rich in vitamin E. Vitamin E can help relieve the pain and discomfort caused by herpes by soothing the skin. With its antioxidant properties, it repairs damaged skin and reduces inflammation. Almonds, spinach, sweet potatoes, avocados, sunflower seeds and olive oil are rich in vitamin E.
• Foods containing high vitamin C. Vitamin C increases the number of white blood cells that help protect the body against invaders. Foods rich in vitamin C can be consumed to strengthen immunity, improve skin health and accelerate the healing of herpes. Oranges, red peppers, green peppers, cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, strawberries, grapefruit and kiwi contain plenty of vitamin C.
• Zinc. Zinc is an essential trace mineral needed to reduce inflammation and boost immunity. A study published in the field of alternative medicine treatments found that zinc oxide cream is an effective treatment for oral herpes infection. Creams containing zinc oxide and zinc supplements are good for cold sores.
• Aloe vera gel. Aloe vera gel can be used to treat skin conditions such as cold sores. Aloe vera contains antioxidant vitamins, enzymes, minerals, fatty acids and various hormones that help prevent infections.
What the reason of herpes?
As the herpes virus becomes active from its dormant state, preliminary signs such as itching, numbness, and burning appear on the lips and around them before the sores appear. As soon as these signs are felt, when some natural products are applied to the related area, herpes can pass without the appearance of blistering sores. For this purpose, the following can be tried:
• Garlic. Garlic is crushed and applied to the itchy area 4-5 times a day.
• Honey and royal jelly. Honey is mixed with royal jelly and applied to the itchy area 2-3 times.
• Vanilla oil or extract. Vanilla oil or extract is applied as soon as itching and tingling sensation is felt.
If you have a severe herpes complaint despite all the precautions and it recurs frequently, it would be beneficial to apply to a health institution.