The term genital herpes refers to herpes simplex one or two, which is a sexually transmitted disease. Fortunately, as deadly as it sound, it is quite treatable.

When someone suffers an attack of genital herpes, they experience red swelling on the genitals accompanied by clusters of flat blisters. The blisters develop into painful sores when they burst. After the attack comes and goes (usually in two to three days), the virus lies dormant until time to show its ugly face again. Unfortunately, when the immune system is weakened due to factors such as injury, fever, or even menstruation, the virus may become active again. Continuous attacks are usually less frequent and are not as severe as the first occurrence. Herpes is considered one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases; however, the blisters only occur in about one percent of people who are infected.

Home Remedies For Genital Herpes

It is not known what causes the herpes virus to lie dormant for long periods and suddenly reappear to wreak havoc on its victims. However, experts almost unanimously agree that the immune system becoming weakened for whatever reason have a direct effect on the occurrence of an attack. Therefore, keeping your immune system strong by taking care of your health through proper diet and exercise is recommended to help limit attacks and the severity.

The herb Echinacea is a great immune system booster. Try using it along with burdock root, which is a gentle cleansing tonic.

Try to abstain from putting everything in the medicine cabinet on your sores. This should be avoided because of the risk of causing a secondary bacterial infection. According to experts, soap and water is all you need to keep the area clean and germ free. Besides, nothing in your medicine cabinet can kill the virus anyway.

Avoid ointments if you can. Genital sores needs lots of air to heal. Petroleum jelly and antibiotic ointments can suppress the healing process. Avoid using a cortisone cream, which can weaken the immune system and actually cause the virus to grow.

During your first attack or a worse secondary attack, try using warm water to soothe the pain. Taking a warm bath or shower two or four times a day will provide soothing relief. Drying the genital area after a warm bath or shower should be done with a hair dryer set to low. Take heed not to burn yourself. The dryer will provide soothing relief along with helping to dry out the sores, which in turn could help healing faster.

Only loose-fitting cotton under wear should be worn. Sores need air to heal properly and quickly, therefore, cotton clothing is the best thing to wear. Stay away from synthetics.

During the first genital herpes outbreak, urination can be extremely painful. This is mainly true for women. Directing the urine stream with a bit of rolled up toilet tissue works well.

Try not to touch the sores if you can help it. According to experts, touching the sores could cause you to spread it to other parts of your body. Although this is very rear, it is still better not to take any chances.

Here are some ointments you should consider to help in the healing process:

The amino acid lysine – This ointment healed and prevented sores and their recurrence in laboratory studies.

Zinc – Taken in ointment form or capsules could help in the healing process.

Although the two above ointments show promise in laboratory testing, you should not try them without consulting a doctor.

The most important of all the rest; do not forget how you got genital herpes in the first place. You are now responsible to protect others from suffering with what you have. Avoid sex at all costs when you have sores. At this point, you are highly contagious. It is rare to spread the virus when sores are not present; however, you should wear a condom just in case. Do not think that just because you have herpes you cannot catch it again. It is possible to catch another form of it, although this is rear, it could happen.