Herpes on the body

Herpes is a well-known disease in Denmark, and up to 80% of Danes are carriers of the annoying virus. When you are infected with herpes, you are infected with a virus that causes outbreaks of blisters in different areas of the body. The virus is commonly known as herpes , but in technical terms, herpes viruses include 80 different types, of which 8 can infect humans. Of these, Herpes Simplex 1 (HSV 1), Herpes Simplex 2 (HSV 2)  and herpes zoster are the most common in Denmark.

Depending on whether you are infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 or herpes simplex virus type 2, the classic symptoms are blisters around the mouth and face or on and around the genital area. In rare cases, both herpes 1 and herpes 2 can also cause blisters on the skin in other areas of the body. Fortunately, both are completely harmless, but can be very annoying.

Once you have been infected with the herpes virus, it will be in your body for the rest of your life. Herpes settles in the body's nerve cells, and there is no cure for it. Fortunately, it goes dormant, and many are lucky enough to never feel the virus again. However, about 20% of those infected will experience outbreaks at various intervals for the rest of their lives.

Can you get herpes on your body?

The short answer is yes. The most common symptoms when you are infected with herpes 1 are outbreaks in and around the mouth and on the face in general, while the most common symptoms when you are infected with herpes 2 are outbreaks in and around the genitals, on the buttocks, by the anus and on the inner thighs. However, there are also rarer cases where the herpes simplex virus causes herpes in other areas of the body.

In principle, you can get herpes on your finger, on your back, on your knee, on your scalp or anywhere else on your body. Although it is rarer to have outbreaks on the body than on the face, there is no need to worry. Herpes is not dangerous. When it is in an outbreak, many people will, however, be bothered by the disease due to the accompanying symptoms and the small blisters that later turn into sores.

Can you have herpes on your body without it being dangerous?

Herpes rashes on the body are quite harmless. In general, the herpes virus is not dangerous, but there is no doubt that it can be both annoying and painful. As mentioned, there is no treatment for herpes that can cure you, and therefore you cannot completely avoid outbreaks if the herpes virus breaks out of its dormancy.

If you are affected by herpes on the body, the only thing you can do is try to relieve the symptoms of the outbreak. One way in which you can both prevent outbreaks and relieve the extent of the outbreak is by treating with agents that are designed to help with herpes. Here it is possible to get a prescription for cream from your doctor or choose a milder form that you can find over the counter.

What does herpes look like on the body?

Herpes on the body typically looks like it does on the face or around the genitals. When you have a herpes outbreak, you will often notice that your skin becomes irritated and sore for a short time before small blisters appear on the skin.

The fluid-filled, yellowish blisters will usually appear in small clusters. They will be painful, warm, stinging and tender at the first outbreak, and these symptoms may also appear in subsequent outbreaks. It is this phase of the outbreak that is typically experienced as the most bothersome. After a few days, the blisters will burst and form scabs before eventually falling off. Once your herpes sores on your body have fallen off, you will typically not have scars.

Depending on how severe your herpes outbreak is, it will last between 1-4 weeks. The first outbreak, also called the primary infection, will be the most painful, and most people find that the outbreak lasts a little longer than subsequent outbreaks. If you have repeated outbreaks, they will typically last between 1-2 weeks.

Can you get herpes on the thigh?

Herpes on the body can also appear as an outbreak on the thigh. When you are infected with herpes 2 , it is very common for you to discover blisters on the inner thighs when the virus is in outbreak. Herpes 2 most often appears in the area around the genitals, on the inner thighs, by the anus or as herpes on the buttocks.

You may also experience outbreaks of herpes on other parts of your body when you are infected with herpes 1. The herpes virus can appear all over your body, although herpes 1 is most common on the face, and herpes 2 is most common around the genitals. In addition, Herpes zoster appears as a rash all over the body. This type of herpes is also known as shingles. It is rarer than herpes 1 and herpes 2, and herpes zoster will typically be very painful due to an itchy and irritated rash on the skin over parts of the body.

Is herpes a skin disease?

Herpes is a virus that causes an infection of the skin, and therefore herpes is not a skin disease. Because herpes is a virus, it also means that herpes is highly contagious.

In rare cases, some people may experience an allergic reaction to the herpes virus, which can result in the skin condition erythema multiforme . The skin condition is a temporary skin condition that is triggered by something preceding it, such as the herpes virus. It is rare, but if you suspect that you have erythema multiforme, you should contact your doctor for advice, guidance and treatment. Erythema multiforme is not contagious.

Can you get herpes on your hand?

Both herpes 1 and herpes 2 can cause herpes outbreaks and blisters all over the body, although the most common are outbreaks on the face around the mouth (HSV-1) and the genital area (HSV-2). If you suddenly notice yellowish, fluid-filled blisters on your hands that are tender, warm, and stinging, it could be a sign of a herpes outbreak.

If you already know that you have herpes, you can most likely recognize the blisters from previous outbreaks elsewhere on your body. If you are in doubt or do not know whether you have the herpes virus, it is always a good idea to contact your doctor to determine whether it is herpes or another type of virus or infection on the skin.

Herpes on the body of a child

A herpes infection of the skin on the body can easily occur in children, and herpes is not dangerous for them either. Therefore, there is no need to panic if your child is affected by herpes.

Most people who have herpes are infected before they are five years old. This is because herpes is spread through close physical contact and touching, and younger children often have a harder time limiting physical contact than older children and adults. Therefore, it is quite natural that children are affected by infections and viruses, including herpes.

If you notice that your child has symptoms of herpes, it is a good idea to visit the doctor. Here you can find out for sure whether it is herpes or not, and at the same time get creams for possible treatment and relief of soreness, burning and itching.

Herpes in very young children, including newborns, is a chapter in itself and we refer you to read more here.