Managing Herpes Breakouts

Photo by: Bigstockphoto
Photo by: Bigstockphoto

Herpes is a viral disease caused by the herpes simplex virus. This condition is categorized according to the part of the body infected by the virus. There are two types of herpes: oral and genital herpes.

Oral herpes affects the face and mouth. It’s characterized by small blisters or cold sores in the mouth. Genital herpes occurs when small ulcers develop in the genital area.

Unlike other viral infections, herpes works between periods of active and dormant states. There are periods when breakouts happen and periods without symptoms at all. In today’s post, we are listing down ways to deal with herpes breakouts:

Tip 1: Do Not Fuss With It

If you have herpes, patches of cold sores will appear all over your body. During a herpes flare-up, do not touch the sores. Fussing with it will only worsen the condition. In addition, avoid any sexual contact until the sores clear up. If you’re dealing with an onset of the breakout, always wash your hands. Pay close attention to the fingernails. It should be free from dirt that could infect the sores.

Tip 2: Keeping the Sores Dry

Leaving the sores moist will encourage the development of painful fissures. You want to keep the sores dry and clean. Start by patting the sores with cornstarch. If you have genital herpes, sprinkle the cornstarch in your underwear. The powder will absorb excess moisture. Take a hot salt water bath three to four times per day. This will help clear the sores faster. If you cannot dry yourself with a towel because it’s painful, use a hairdryer instead.

Tip 3: Wear The Right Clothing

If you’re living with sores, you want to wear clothing that wicks away moisture from the body. Wear light, loose-fitting clothing to increase air circulation. We recommend wearing underwear made with natural fiber. This helps keep the skin cool and dry. It minimizes pain and discomfort caused by herpes sores.

Tip 4: Eat The Right Food

If you have herpes, take supplements enriched with L-lysine. L-lysine is a nutrient that boosts the body’s natural ability to heal itself. It also slows down virus growth and prevent future outbreaks. The recommended dose for L-lysine is about 1 gram each day. You can also eat fruits and vegetables rich in L-lysine and amino acids. Beans, beef, most dairy products and fish are great sources of amino acids and L-lysine.

Also, you want to minimize your consumption of chicken, nuts and oats during an outbreak. These foods contain L-arginine. It’s a compound that suppresses L-lysine.

Tip 5: Avoid Stress

Stress is one of the main causes of any viral outbreak. It’s understandable that a herpes outbreak is quite stressful. But rather than dwell on the situation, focus on keeping a clear head. Take vitamin B supplements and make changes in your lifestyle to prevent stressful situations. We recommend exercising and adopting a healthy lifestyle to improve mood and ease tension.

Tip 6: Treating The Sores

To hasten skin healing, we recommend applying vitamin A and E ointment on the sores. You want to alternate between the two vitamins. Vitamin A ointments and vitamin E capsules are widely available in most pharmacies.