What helps against herpes?

Prof. Volker Steinkraus from Dermatologikum Hamburg answers important questions about herpes

04/02/2015

It always occurs when you can least use it: herpes. The most famous form, the cold sore, is a constant and recurrent companion for many people. Because: The majority of adults carry the pathogen in themselves. And yet many do not know about the contagion, treatment and prevention of herpes. Prof. Volker Steinkraus from Dermatologikum Hamburg answers the eight most important questions:

What causes herpes?
A herpes is caused by a smear infection with the herpes simplex virus, HSV 1 is usually the cause of a cold sore, HSV 2 triggers a genital herpes. After the initial infection, reactivation of the virus may occur for life with the recurrence of skin symptoms, as the virus persists in the spinal and cranial nerve ganglia and the immune system only fights the acute inflammation. Especially in stress situations and weakened immune system has herpes an easy game.

How do I know that it is herpes and not just inflammation??
Typical of a herpes infection is an unpleasant, tingling or burning sensation in the area of ​​inflammation. First, the skin is reddened, then develop small red pimples, which turn into bubbles, eventually rise and crust.

How do I behave when cold sores occur? Immediately to the dermatologist?
With a straightforward cold sore episode one does not necessarily have to be a dermatologist. Often the infection fades quickly, if you apply in time virustatic cold sore creams that can be bought over the counter in the pharmacy.

Makes a treatment with special ointments even after outbreak still sense?
Yes, the use of creams called antivirals (substances that inhibit virus spread), such as Aciclovir, cause a faster healing. It is better, however, to apply them directly at the first signs of redness and burning.

If herpes occurs only externally on the lip or inside the mouth?
Herpes can also occur on the mucous membranes and thus inside the mouth. The primary infection in children often occurs under the picture of inflammation of the oral cavity (gingivostomatitis herpetica) from.

What treatment options and innovations are there in the therapy?
In addition to a primarily dehydrating therapy with, for example, zinc shake mixture, the herpes can be treated with foscarnet- or acyclovir-containing, antivirally active creams. Another option is to stick hydrocolloid patches that protect the skin and prevent superinfection, but have no antiviral effect themselves. In severe or prolonged herpes infections acyclovir or valaciclovir tablets are often prescribed by the doctor. A vaccine against the infection with herpes viruses does not exist.

Are there long-term consequences in non-treated herpes?
No, the external infection is self-limited, that is, the immune defense brings the acute infection to subside. However, the virus remains in the body for life and can not be completely eliminated. It may be in pronounced inflammation, which superinfect with bacteria, come to a healing with scars.

Can infants and babies also be infected? If so, how is it treated??
Infants and infants may become infected by the smear infection, e.g. by kissing, using the same cutlery / glass also infected. One should not rely on a frequently discussed nest protection. In uncomplicated courses it is often treated with drying, anti-inflammatory substances such as zinc shake mixture.

The Dermatologikum Hamburg is one of Europe's largest specialized facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases with 150 employees and approximately 400 treatments each day. The Practice and Day Clinic for Dermatology, Allergology, Operative and Aesthetic Dermatology, Plastic Surgery, Vascular Surgery and Dermatological Laboratory Diagnostics was founded in 1997 by Professor Dr. med. Volker Steinkraus founded. The Dermatologikum Hamburg is today by him, Professor dr. Kristian Reich and her partners. The practice has its own Histology, Mycology and Bacteriology Laboratory and conducts its own clinical research to develop new therapies. (Pm)