Managing Herpes Outbreaks: Tips for Faster Healing

Symptoms of an outbreak of either oral or genital herpes clear up on their own in a relatively short time. However, using a prescription antiviral medication, keeping the affected area clean and taking a few other measures can somewhat reduce the time you experience herpes symptoms. Be careful when using home remedies or over-the-counter medications, especially when dealing with genital herpes, as these may actually prolong outbreaks.

Things You'll Need

• Antiviral prescription
• Loose-fitting clothing

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Instructions

Making Herpes Outbreaks Shorter

• 1

  Visit your doctor and ask if antiviral treatment with acyclovir, valacyclovir or famciclovir is appropriate for you. Using antiviral drugs may somewhat reduce the length of outbreaks of oral and genital herpes.

• 2

  Use antiviral drugs during prodrome, the burning, itching or tingling experienced in the area that will be affected by an outbreak before the rash and blisters appear. Antivirals taken after this time appear to have little affect on the duration of symptoms.

• 3

  Keep the area affected by the outbreak clean and dry, and wear loose clothing to avoid irritating genital herpes sores. It is important not to pick at the sores, as further irritating sores can increase the time it takes for them to heal.

• 4

  Ask your doctor about daily suppressive therapy. For some people who have frequent outbreaks, taking antiviral medications every day reduces the number of outbreaks as well as your chances of passing the virus on to other people.