Under normal conditions, healthy skin effectively combats attack by viral, fungal and bacterial aggressors. Skin has both a physical and a chemical barrier. The physical barrier is made up of dead cells that are mostly keratin, a protein also found in hair and nails. The chemical barrier is called the acid mantle, which is made up of perspiration and sebum. When either of these barriers breaks down, skin is at risk of infection. Herpes, a common virus, is an opportune virus and can infect any compromised skin.
Herpes Simplex Virus, Type 1
Herpes simplex virus, type 1 is considered a sexually transmitted disease, though it can be transmitted without sexual intercourse. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, though it mostly causes blisters and sores around the mouth and lips. Those sores are often referred to as cold sores or fever blisters.
Herpes Simplex Virus, Type 2
Herpes simplex virus, type 2 generally occurs below the waist, though it can cause blisters and sores around the face, mouth and lips. HSV-2 causes most cases of genital herpes, according to the CDC, though the majority of those infected show little or no signs of the disease. Because the disease can be transmitted by someone who does not know he is infected or during times when outbreaks are not visible, many people transmit the disease unknowingly. About two weeks after exposure, if an outbreak is going to occur, the infected person will feel symptoms in the area where infection occurred, including pain, itching and tingling. Within a couple of days, small red bumps will appear and will turn into blisters. The blisters turn into sores and usually heal within two to four weeks. Pain and flu-like symptoms can accompany the outbreak. Recurrent outbreaks are generally less severe and take less time to run the course than the primary outbreak.
Oral Herpes
Oral herpes is usually caused by HSV-1, though HSV-2 causes a smaller number of outbreaks. Herpes.com reports that 50 to 80 percent of American adults will experience an oral herpes outbreak. The blisters can appear on the lips, mouth, throat, cheeks, chin and/or nose. This type of herpes can be transmitted through sexual activity, including kissing, through infected saliva and at times when there are no visual signs of the disease.
Ocular Herpes
When the virus spreads to they eye, either through person-to-person infection or self-inoculation, it can cause serious complications, even blindness. Usually caused by HSV-1, ocular herpes has been experienced by an estimated 400,000 Americans, according to Herpes.com. Herpes keratitis is inflammation of the cornea, which is the most common form of ocular herpes. When the infection spreads to deeper layers of the cornea, the infection is called stromal keratitis. Stromal keratitis is the leading cause of corneal scarring that leads to blindness, according to the National Eye Institute. When the inflammation is in the iris, blurred vision, pain and light sensitivity can occur. If in the retina or the inside lining at the back of the eye, the infection is called herpes retinitis.
Herpes Whitlow
Herpes whitlow is a herpes infection of the fingers and hands. It usually appears around the nail and cuticles, where small tears in the skin allow the virus to enter. Herpes whitlow can be contracted from an infected person or through self-inoculation from another herpes outbreak on the body.
