Definition
Herpes labialis is an infectious and contagious disease characterized by the appearance of small annoying and itchy blisters on the skin and mucous membranes of the lip area: herpetic infection can degenerate and spread even on cheeks and palate. The responsible viral strain is Herpes simplex (HVS-I).
Causes
The labial infection caused by type I Herpes simplex is favored by several factors: prolonged intake of antibiotics, decrease in immune defenses, excessive sun exposure, infectious diseases, stress and hormonal variations (eg menstrual cycle, pregnancy). It has been observed that stress heavily affects the manifestation of herpetiform infection, as it weakens the subject's immune defenses making it more sensitive to the virus.
Symptoms
Spy lit of the manifestation of cold sores is the typical perception of heat, discomfort and tension in the lip contour: subsequently, the infection continues with the appearance - on the skin and on the mucous membrane of the lips - of whitish and liquid bubbly bubbles, which tend to dry in 5-7 days.
Natural Care
Diet and Nutrition
Information on Labial Herpes - Drugs for the Treatment of Labial Herpes is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Herpes labialis - Drugs for the treatment of labial herpes.
drugs
Just like genital herpes, even cold sores, when infecting humans for the first time, can no longer be eradicated permanently: in fact, these viruses tend to hide in the nerve endings and then reappear when ideal conditions are established. Sometimes, after the first infection, the cold sores virus can remain silent even for life.
Medications to help relieve cold sores and reduce the risk of relapses can be applied locally or taken orally.
- Acyclovir (eg Aciclovir, Xerese, Zovirax): being an inhibitor of DNA synthesis of herpes viruses, acyclovir is indicated in the treatment of Herpes simplex skin and mucosal infections (including the relapsing form). Apply the cream (5%) locally 5 times a day for 4 days: the therapy must be timely. The active ingredient aciclovir can also be found in the form of 200 mg tablets: take one tablet orally every 4 hours for 10 days (when Herpes occurs for the first time), or one 400 mg tablet three times a day, for a period varying from 7 to 10 days, according to what is prescribed by the doctor. In the case of orbital herpes, it is recommended to take 400 mg 5 times a day for 5 days.
- Docosanol (eg Abreva): locally apply (on the lips) a thin layer of cream, to cover the entire affected area. Repeat the application 5 times a day for at least 4 days. Docosanol is an active ingredient useful for inhibiting the fusion between the plasma membrane and the coating of the virus, which prevents it from entering the cells: in this way the replication of the virus is hindered.
- Famciclovir (eg Famvir, Famciclovir) available as tablets: take orally 1500 mg (1 tablet) in a single dose. Famciclovir is particularly effective when taken at the onset of symptoms (burning, pain, tingling, itching).
- Penciclovir (eg Vectavir, Zilp): available as a 1% cream, we recommend applying penciclovir to the infected area twice a day for 4 days. It is recommended to start the treatment from the very first symptoms.
- Trifluridine (eg. Triherpine): this drug acts by inhibiting the herpetic virus DNA synthesis. We recommend topical application of this active ingredient when acyclovir is ineffective.
- Idoxuridine (eg Iducher, Idustatin): it is an antiviral drug that acts as an inhibitor of DNA virus replication, therefore it is used in the treatment of Herpes simplex infections. Apply the product directly on the lesions 4 times a day, for 4 days. In the case of childhood Herpes simplex, the application of products based on Idoxuridine is not recommended, as well as in pregnancy.
- Valaciclovir (eg. Talavir, Zelitrex) take one tablet (2 g) every 12 hours: once again, it is good to start the therapy from the first prodromes.
In case of first episode of Herpes simplex labial it is possible to apply on the infected area creams or ointments with analgesic action, containing NSAIDs:
- Benzidamine (eg Benzirin): in the case of intraoral Herpes simplex, benzydamine-based rinses exert a good topical analgesic action: 5 rinses of 5 ml (one teaspoon) are recommended every two hours and before meals. It is possible to find the active ingredient benzidamine also in the form of oral mucosa spray: in this case, it is advisable to apply 4-8 sprays of product per day, directly on the area affected by oral herpes.
