Herpes is known to be a contagious viral infection that shows up in two forms. They are oral herpes (cold sores) and genital herpes (blisters in the genital or anal areas). This is an infection that is caused by the herpes simplex virus. Once you contract it, the virus is present in the body for a lifetime and will keep rearing its head. Herpes is also one of the most rampant and common infections worldwide.Herpes is transmitted easily through direct contact. Genital herpes is transmitted through sexual contact and oral herpes is transmitted through oral contact. Some of the most common symptoms of herpes are painful blisters in the affected areas. Tiny blisters can be formed on the lip, around the mouth or in and around the genital and anal area. In order to avoid the risk of this infection, you need to avoid oral contact with people who have herpes and also avoid contact with their things like their lipsticks. Further you need to avoid maintaining sexual relations with someone who has genital herpes. Using condoms can reduce this risk, but outbreaks can happen in the areas that are not covered by condoms. This might have give you an idea of what is herpes. In this article we have also mentioned the natural remedies to treat herpes. Read further to know how to treat herpes.
How To Get Rid Of An Outbreak Of Herpes Naturally
#1 Ice
One of the best ways to relieve pain and itching associated with an outbreak is one of nature's most basic miracles: ice.
To reduce symptoms, apply ice to the affected area. Fill a plastic bag with crushed ice, wrapping the bag in material the thickness of a sheet. Apply for 10 or 15 minutes, and repeat several times a day. Make sure and discard any plastic bags after one use.
As a precaution, take care with the amount of time applied, because prolonged exposure to ice can cause tissue damage, not to mention the overall sensitivity of the genital area.
#2 Raw honey
Raw honey was a popular and mainstream form of treatment for genital herpes until conventional medications took over in the 20th century. Only raw honey is recommended since commercial honey can actually make the condition worse. When compared for treating symptoms against a common anti-viral drug ointment, the honey produced far better results.
It is applied as an ointment and helps by significantly reducing pain and crusting. It can also help herpes completely go back into remission. Raw Manuka honey is highly recommended since it clinical studies have shown that it can effectively destroy 250 different clinical strains of bacteria, including stubborn antibiotic-resistant strains.
#3 Aloe vera
Preliminary evidence suggests that aloe gel used topically may improve the symptoms of genital herpes in men. In 2 studies, men who used the aloe vera cream (0.5% aloe) saw lesions heal faster than those who used a placebo cream. It is not known whether aloe vera would also help heal cold sores.
#4 Protein
The body cannot heal without enough protein. Try to get at least four to five ounces of quality protein per meal. Some of the best protein foods include those that are organic, lean and naturally raised, such as wild-caught fish, pasture-raised poultry and grass-fed beef.
#5 Olive Oil
Olive oil is known for moisturizing the skin. It is rich in anti-oxidants and is one of the best home remedies for herpes sores. Take one cup of olive oil. Heat it in a pot and add some lavender oil and bee wax in it. Let the mixture cool down. After cooling, apply the mixture on the infected area.
#6 Baking Soda
Baking soda is an effective treatment for getting rid of herpes fast. It provides relief in the itchy and painful sores. Take a cotton ball and damp it in baking soda. Apply it directly on the infected area. It helps to dry out the oozing blisters.
#7 Take a warm bath.
You can help ease the soreness and discomfort of your sores with a warm bath. The heated water will relieve the irritated skin and help clean them as well. You can also add Epsom salt to your bath. This helps relieve the itchiness and heal the sore. It also helps the sores stay drier once your get out of the bath.
#8 Tea Bags
Black tea leaves contain a high amount of tannins, which are believed to have antiviral as well as antibacterial properties. Use a tea bag to make some tea like you normally would and then cool it in a refrigerator for a while. Apply the cold tea bags directly on to the affected skin and hold it there for around five minutes or so. This exercise should be repeated around 3 or 4 times a day, each time with a fresh tea bag
#9 Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar helps decrease the severity of herpes outbreaks due to its disinfectant, astringent, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Dip a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and dab it on the affected areas three or four times a day for two to three days. For best results, apply it as soon as you experience the initial tingling sensation. Be aware, it is likely to sting a little.
You can also add one or two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to one cup of water and drink it twice daily during flare-ups.
#10 Vitamin C
Vitamin C is said to be the king of all the vitamins as it can perform most of what other vitamins do. It is used by our body to repair damaged tissues, to regenerate dead cells, and to strengthen collagen formation. This means it restores what infection destroys.
Moreover, vitamin C can boost our immune system. It does not directly kill a particular type of virus but it triggers the antibodies to kill virus and bacteria. This happens when vitamin C helps increase the production of white blood cells that block and kill the disease directly.
Vitamin C is a very powerful antioxidant. What virus and bacteria do in our body is to oxidize the affected part or area. What vitamin C does is to prevent such oxidation. Oxidation is what makes food rotten. This can also happen in our body without vitamin C. Foods rich in vitamin C are citrus, grapes, vegetables, and tomatoes.
#11 Garlic
Garlic has natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help combat herpes outbreaks. Research published in Planta Medica in 1992 found that a chemical called allicin present in garlic may have antiviral effects. Garlic oil also contains the antiviral compound ajoene.
Place a crushed garlic clove on the affected area and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Do this a few times daily for two days or until you see improvement. Be aware, it may cause a burning sensation.
Alternatively, you can apply garlic oil on the affected area two or three times daily. To make garlic oil, cook fresh garlic cloves in olive oil until they turn brown and then strain the oil.
You can also eat one or two crushed garlic cloves daily. This will also work as a preventive measure.
#12 Licorice
Licorice contains an antioxidant called glycyrrhizin that can deactivate the herpes virus. Hence applying licorice extract on the affected areas is known to be helpful and can be used as a natural treatment for herpes.
#13 Black Coffee
Herpes virus infects not only genital parts, but also lips, mouth, etc. Black coffee is one of the best remedies to treat them. Blisters in the mouth cause severe pain.
To treat them fast, you are required to prepare black coffee. Let it cool down and take a sip. Hold it in the mouth for some time. Move it onto the lips as well. For best results, repeat the process twice a day.