Some sufferers of oral or genital herpes are interested in alternatives or complements to traditional antiviral treatments. There are many things that can be done to ease discomfort or speed the healing process during an outbreak. Home remedies make use of common products and items most people already have around the house.
Tea
In the book, "Our Bodies, Ourselves," the Boston Women's Health Collective recommends clove and black teas as effective self-help treatments for herpes. Tannic acid is found in tea and can relieve the discomfort and itching that often accompany herpes sores. The tea should be used as a compress and applied directly to herpes lesions. The compress should not be hot when it is applied.
Loose Clothing
It can be helpful to dress differently during times of genital outbreak. Terri Warren, an expert on herpes and author of the book "The Good News About the Bad News Herpes: Everything You Need to Know," advises wearing clothing that maximizes airflow to the crotch and minimizes direct contact with sensitive herpes sores. Women should therefore choose dresses over pants, and men should choose loose shorts or loose pants over tight-fitting jeans. For additional comfort, underwear should ideally not be worn; if that's an impossibility, however, any undergarments worn should be made from 100 percent cotton. Boxers are preferable to briefs. The circulation of air afforded by these measures will decrease healing time because it will help keep the affected area dry; the herpes virus prefers a moist environment.
Water
For some women, just going to the bathroom can be an ordeal during a genital outbreak. The combination of broken skin, exposed nerves and acidic urine is most unpleasant. Lisa Marr M.D., a specialist in sexually transmitted infections and author of the book "Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Physician Tells You What You Need to Know," suggests resting in water while urinating. The water dilutes the urine immediately, making it less acidic and less painful. Marr also says that soaking in a bathtub filled with warm water can alleviate some of the discomfort of genital lesions.
Ice
Putting ice or a cold pack on a lesion can naturally numb the area and decrease some of the pain, itching and discomfort. Ice can be applied to oral and genital lesions alike. According to Marr and Warren, the application of ice to herpes sores may hinder the progression of an outbreak because the herpes virus thrives in warmth but reproduces much more slowly when cold.
References
- "Our Bodies, Ourselves"; The Boston Women's Health Book Collective; 2005
- "The Good News About the Bad News Herpes: Everything You Need to Know"; Terri Warren, RN, MP; 2009
- "Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Physician Tells You What You Need to Know"; Lisa Marr, MD; 2007
