How do you treat herpes?

Symptoms of herpes

A herpes outbreak can be felt before it can be seen. The first symptoms of herpes are a tingling, buzzing and sore sensation in the skin. You need to react to this sensation immediately. If you are quick, you can ensure that your outbreak does not become large, painful and long-lasting.

It is very individual when and how often you get outbreaks. A stressed immune system increases the number of outbreaks. This can be, for example, during exams, colds and menstruation. You can try to live healthy, eat a varied diet, exercise and get enough sleep to strengthen your immune system. Some people get herpes from exposure to too much sunlight and can benefit from using a lip balm with a high sun factor, while others should avoid eating nuts and chocolate. It varies greatly from person to person.

Treatment of herpes

There are gels and creams for treating herpes that can reduce discomfort and the duration of the outbreak. With all types of treatment, it is important to start as soon as possible. Therefore, it is a good idea to always have a herpes treatment in your bag/purse so that you can start treatment as soon as you notice the first symptoms.

For frequent outbreaks of genital herpes where gel/cream is not effective enough, the doctor may prescribe Aciclovir or Valaciclovir, which is taken preventively in tablet form. This type of medication inhibits the virus, is effective in some cases and does not have significant side effects.