A little "wound" in a place you don't remember hurting, and you don't get your own medicine for that kind of injury? this is herpes. Dermatologist Helena Zantut explains the causes, symptoms and treatments of the problem.
What is cold sores and how does it get this disease?
Herpes is a relatively common and highly transmissible virus that usually manifests itself when the body's immunity is low or in long periods of stress and depression. According to some studies, a contingent comprising between 80% and 90% of the world's population is infected with the virus.
Helena claims that it is herpes simplex? herpes type 1? Is it a virus, which is caught by physical contact (kiss), or by the residue of a glass or cutlery, for example (when the person drinks in the same glass, eats with the same silverware, etc.)? This ease of transmission is what makes herpes type 1 such a common disease.
What are the symptoms of cold sores?
Cold sores cause ulcerations on the skin around the lips. Some people have these ulcers on other parts of the face, such as around the nose, for example. However, before the appearance of wounds, the dermatologist explains that one needs to be aware of other symptoms.
Symptoms appear before the blisters appear. There is a kind of burning in the place, and after a few days appear the bubbles (vesicles), which rupture ?, explains. Once the blisters are broken, herpes looks like a skinned one with open wounds. "After a few more days, the little wounds eventually dry up," adds Helena.
The whole process takes just a few days to complete. After the wound appears at the site of the blister, healing usually occurs within a cycle of five days or so.
What are the causes of cold sores?
The cause is infection with the disease triggering virus. Anyone who is infected with the virus is able to pass it on to others, but Helena points out that this only happens when herpes is exposed, that is, between the blistering phase and healing. "It's contagious until the wounds dry up," he says.
How is the diagnosis made?
If you suspect you may have developed the condition, you should seek immediate dermatologist advice to evaluate the condition. "The diagnosis is made by clinical examination [consultation] and, when in doubt, by a laboratory method (tzanck)," says the doctor, "but the dermatologist, seeing, already knows [whether it is a case of herpes or not]? .
Treatment
Although there is no cure for the disease, some procedures help minimize the discomfort caused by it. There is no cure, no vaccine. It's good to take vitamin C daily, because it helps, "says Helena," Acyclovir helps to shorten the time of injury, but it doesn't help cure or increase immunity.
The indication of vitamin C is due to the fact that herpes usually appears when there is a drop in immunity. According to the dermatologist, the virus may manifest rare or often, depending on the health of the individual. "There may be several crises during the year, or just once in a while," he concludes.
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