Stand got too much sun. Or too cold. If you are stressed, or if you have taken a course of antibiotics & Co. In short, there are many reasons that favor the appearance of herpes on the lips. But how prevent you from coming back for the umpteenth time to give its best on the mouth or surrounding areas? We asked Dr. Ignazio Grattagliano, national director of the SIMGthe Italian Society of General Medicine and Primary Care.
Once taken, it stays forever
Herpes Labialis is the manifestation on the skin of an infection due to the type 1 Herpes Simplex virus. «Once this virus enters the body, it is localized in the nerve endings near the skin» explains the Doctor Grattagliano, who in addition to teaching family medicine at the University of Bari is also a doctor in Monopoli (Ba). When you feel a sensation of itching or irritation, herpes is peeping out again «The annoyance is caused by the irritation that the virus causes at the level of the underlying snow endings. In fact, herpes once taken it stays localized and a series of situations make it reactivate and replicate» clarifies the expert.
What makes it reappear
It is not known why herpes is reactivated. “In fact, not all of the factors are known. Beyond stressful or other situations infectious or inflammatory diseases (for example, Behcet’s disease, or systemic lupus erythematosus, or Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), can favor the appearance of bubbles on the lips even some drugs or an immuno-compromise» explains the doctor «In the latter case there is an activation of the immune system which however does not protect the organism but allows a reactivation of viral replication. Thus the virus, which makes itself felt again ». Indeed to be seen. But how to avoid it?
What to do if you feel that it is about to appear
As soon as you feel that herpes is about to return or you spot a few small dots on the skin, you can immediately apply one Aciclovir creamprogenitor of a class of antivirals to which they belong also Fanciclovir and Penciclovir: «These active ingredients, contained in various commercial drugs, are all antiviral and are effective if the manifestation is unique, that is, only one and localized» explains the family doctor. Application of these creams can be repeated up to 5 or 6 times a day and not just where you feel the itch, because herpes could also appear under the nose or on the edge of a nostril.
When herpes appears it is essential not to touch it, to prevent it from spreading. (Getty Images)
If herpes already makes a “good show”
If blisters have already appeared on the lips, the first thing to do is prevent them from expanding. For this reason they should not be touched, either with the hands or with handkerchiefs or anything else, to prevent them from passing from the lips to the nose or even worse to the eyes. «When herpes is already evident, they can be used in addition to creams also the antivirals in tablets, especially if the area where it appears is extensive» explains Dr. Ignazio Grattagliano. These antivirals can also be administered in repeated doses during the day, to try to speed up healing, but it is always good ask your doctor for advice.
Doctor Ignazio Grattagliano della SIMGthe Italian Society of General Medicine.
There are also patches
Another help to make herpes disappear quickly is to apply transparent patches designed with this function on it. “Some are based on natural extractslike aloe vera, e relieve the discomfort of bubbles. Others, on the other hand, contain antivirals and act like a pharmacological cream» explains the doctor. «The great advantage of the patch is that this allows for consistent application and for a longer time. They have a programmed release of the drug substance so the area is always under treatment» explains the doctor. They can be applied as soon as you feel that herpes is about to appear, because even in this case, the sooner you intervene, the sooner you have remission, or even manage to block its onset.
What is best not to do
The first thing to avoid is… avoid getting herpes. For that it is good do not exchange glasses or cutlery. If it appears, however, it is important not to rub the itchy area or scratch it. «Another thing to avoid is to put creams or ointments on them that contain cortisone» advises the doctor. “This is an anti-inflammatory and promotes viral replication. In practice it delays healing»concludes the expert. Even grandmother’s advice in this case is of little use. The toothpaste for example, it gives an “astringent sensation”, but does not make the bubbles disappear. Same thing for the alcohol used to disinfect. “In this case, however, the effect is really irritatingbecause alcohol dries the skin and skin dehydration is just one of those factors that favor the appearance of herpes» concludes the expert.
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