Manifestations of herpes infections are known to mankind since ancient times. The word "herpes" is of Greek origin and means "to creep and crawl." Almost all of the world's population is infected with this infection, but not all of it accompanied by severe clinic. Herpes on the face - the most frequent localization of the disease.
Causes of herpes on the face
Herpes on the face is usually caused by the herpes simplex virus
Herpes simplex - in fact, not so simple
the first type (HSV-1), at least - genital herpes (HSV-2). Infection with HSV-1 most commonly occurs in the first three years of life, and HSV-2 - with the onset of sexual activity.
Infection with herpes comes from an infected person, as in the expressed symptoms of the disease, and the latent (hidden) period.
HSV is transmitted in the following ways:
- For direct contact (household, sexual);
- When indirect contact (through household items, toys, utensils, medical instruments);
- Parenterally (in the transplantation of organs and tissues of infected or contaminated by artificial insemination with donor sperm);
- From mother to child (through the placenta or during the passage of the baby through the birth canal of the infected women).
After the initial contact with HSV-1, the latter penetrates into the trigeminal ganglion cell where a long time can be in the inactive state, and it is not accompanied by any symptoms. HSV-2 infection after symptoms also goes into a latent state, and is in the cells of the sacral (sacrum) ganglion.
Infection leads to the formation of antibodies to HSV. Their quantity is gradually increased for four weeks and stored at the same level throughout life. These antibodies do not prevent recurrence of the disease, but contribute to milder infections.
Under the influence of various factors, symptoms of herpes infection can occur again. This often occurs when:
- Low immunity;
- Violation of sleep;
- Overheating or overcooling;
- Stress;
- Metabolic disorders in the body;
- Drinking alcohol in large quantities.
What is herpes on his face
Severity of symptoms depends on the human immune system. Facial herpes localized on the wings of their noses, in the corners of the mouth to the red border of lips. First, in the same place (rarely two) appears redness, against which there are small bubbles (vesicles). At each such locus amount vesicles may vary from two to ten.
The bubbles are arranged in groups, they are filled with a clear liquid, which is two or three days it becomes cloudy. Sometimes small bubbles coalesce and form a multi-chamber bubble with a diameter of one centimeter.
If the skin area where the bubbles are not exposed to friction or maceration (softening due to exposure to liquids) are formed yellowish gray-brown. Last fall off after about six days, and in their place is poorly pigmented spot. If the skin is exposed to friction or maceration, the bubbles burst, and formed a bright red erosion. It is possible to join a bacterial infection.
Still other symptoms of herpes on his face - pain, tingling and burning. Well-being is not usually affected, but sometimes it is possible to increase the temperature, the appearance of fever and muscle pain.
In more rare cases, a herpes in the ear. This person experiences itching and pain. Inside the ear you can see small vesicles or erosion. The rash can also appear on the ear lobe or behind him.
Herpetic stomatitis
This is one of the varieties of herpes simplex. The vesicles occur on the reddened and edematous mucosa of the mouth: lips, cheeks, gums and palate. Within a few hours after the bubbles burst, and in their place are erosion. After two or three days, they are covered with a film of fibrin. Person concerned soreness and excessive salivation
Increased salivation - deviation from the norm
. After one or two weeks mucosa restored.
At the age of six cold sores on the face of the child is most often seen in the form of acute herpetic (canker) stomatitis. First, the body temperature rises, there is lethargy and malaise.
On swollen and reddened mucous membranes of the mouth occur aphthous lesions (superficial ulceration of the small sizes). In their center there areas of necrosis (dead tissue), and the edges of these elements are surrounded by a pronounced inflammatory rim. Eruptions are located separately from each other, but after a while merged and formed large erosive and ulcerative sites. This disease is accompanied by severe pain and significant salivation.
Recurrent herpes
Herpes on the face can manifest as disease recurrence. It is characterized by less severe symptoms and their duration. The relapse rate varies from once a year to five times a month. In some people, the process becomes chronic continuous when the rash one has not yet passed, and the new has come.
Before the emergence of bubbles person concerned itching, burning and tingling. Most often manifested as a rash individual foci.
How to treat cold sores on the face
Treatment of herpes on the face includes the mandatory use of ointments that are applied to the place of occurrence of bubbles. Ointment for herpes on the face can be:
- Bonaftonovoy;
- Tebrofenovoy;
- Florinalevoy;
- Megasinovoy;
- Oksodinovoy.
Acyclovir - a drug that is also used in the treatment of herpes infections. It is produced in the form of tablets, ointments and creams for external use. Externally applied medicine every four hours. The therapy must continue until the crust on the vesicles, or until they are completely healed. Typically this occurs on average five days. To achieve maximum therapeutic effect of the ointment or cream should be applied to the skin when the first symptoms: itching, or tingling.
Acyclovir in the form of tablets to be taken for the treatment of herpes infections, and for prevention of exacerbations of recurrent herpes. In the latter case, the treatment should also include the use of leukocyte human interferon (three to five injections per course).
Valtrex - an antiviral agent that contains valacyclovir. This active substance in the human body is converted into acyclovir
Acyclovir - as it is safe?
. The drug is used to treat herpes
Treatment of herpes - a serious problem
, And also to prevent its recurrence. Valtrex is available in pill form.
Famvir (famciclovir) is prescribed for the primary herpes infection, acute exacerbation of chronic infection and for prevention of exacerbations. The preparation is made in the form of tablets.
To prevent relapses need to increase the body's immune defenses. The correct mode of wakefulness and sleep, good nutrition, health training and exercises contribute to this. You can also take herbal supplements that strengthen the immune system. These include, for example, include echinacea and eleuterococcus. Thanks to these preventive measures can significantly increase the length of disease-free period.
