Herpes labia: Symptoms and treatment
Herpes labia or more commonly called "oral herpesa", < span>appears usually in the form of blisters or small ulcers on the lips but can also manifest internally of the mouth or the area around it. It is essentially an infection of the lips, mouth, or gums, caused by the herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1).
How is cold sores transmitted?
Herpes labialis is a very common condition and usually disappears on its own within 10 days. After the first, the virus is inactivated, however it remains in the nerve tissues in the face. Sometimes, the virus later reactivates, causing the characteristic marks on the lips.How you can get the virus:
- If you have close contact with someone who is infected
- If you touch a herpes sore or something that has come in contact with it, such as contaminated razors, towels, dishes or other shared objects
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of cold sores can be mild or severe and usually appear within 1-3 weeks after you come into contact with the virus.The most common symptoms include:
- itching of the lips or skin around the mouth
- burning sensation near the lips or in the mouth area
- numbness near the lips or in the mouth area
Treatment
Herpes labialis in the cases does not need any special treatment, whether it is an initial episode or a recurrence, since as we mentioned there is a spontaneous resolution of the infection after a few days. There is no treatment that will eliminate the virus, however there are preparations that relieve the symptoms or shorten their duration. Most commonly, antiviral drugs are used for topical application, in cream or gel form, or for oral administration, in tablet form.
At Apivita, Solgar Quest Lambets and Viogenesis you can find a wide variety of lysine nutritional supplements that have shown good results in the prevention and treatment of herpes simplex infections. There are also practical topical patches (Compeed and Carnation) that you can use right from the start signs of herpes which protect against infection and help prevent the spread.