Natural Remedies?
I am often asked if there are any natural remedies that are worth trying to deal with herpes outbreaks. I must tell you that I don't think there are any natural remedies worth trying.
For some people, Lysine seems to help, but good studies have not shown Lysine to be of any significant value in treating herpes outbreaks, and very minimal (but not statistically significant) benefit from taking daily Lysine. It may be useful to get adequate sleep, to keep the genitals out of the sun (dah) and keep long term stress to a minimum if possible.
Before I feel something is worth trying, I believe clinical trials that are well designed should be done, even on "natural substances". That's just me, I'm a scientist at heart, and believe that money shouldn't be spent on things that have not been shown to be effective in trials. Others may feel differently, and that's fine.
However, I think it should be stated that "natural" things can be dangerous, just like prescription medication. Remember that digitalis, for example, comes from a plant, and given in inappropriate quantities, can kill you. Just because something doesn't require a prescription or is sold in a natural food store, that it is necessarily safe, especially when taken in combination with other things. There are references for non-prescription medications on the net, describing side effects and potential drug interactions.
For some people, Lysine seems to help, but good studies have not shown Lysine to be of any significant value in treating herpes outbreaks, and very minimal (but not statistically significant) benefit from taking daily Lysine. It may be useful to get adequate sleep, to keep the genitals out of the sun (dah) and keep long term stress to a minimum if possible.
Before I feel something is worth trying, I believe clinical trials that are well designed should be done, even on "natural substances". That's just me, I'm a scientist at heart, and believe that money shouldn't be spent on things that have not been shown to be effective in trials. Others may feel differently, and that's fine.
However, I think it should be stated that "natural" things can be dangerous, just like prescription medication. Remember that digitalis, for example, comes from a plant, and given in inappropriate quantities, can kill you. Just because something doesn't require a prescription or is sold in a natural food store, that it is necessarily safe, especially when taken in combination with other things. There are references for non-prescription medications on the net, describing side effects and potential drug interactions.
11 Comments:
I read in one of the information slips given by planned parenthood, that after 5-6 years the herpes virus can lay dorment and outbreaks will occur less. i cannot find anything else that supports this claim. If an outbreak only occurs once a year how will the transmission rate be effected
I read that if you went into a restroom you can't get herpes 2 on the back of your thigh or bottom because the skin on thigh and bottom is to thick and that the virus wont be shed there. If that true then why do i have it on the back of my thigh. So does that mean that I'm not shedding the virus. Please tell me because I'm confused.
I am very careful and think that you are shedding. I seem to only have a blister on my left bottom cheek. It always returns to the same place. I started to take prevenitive treatment. but if I forget to take a dose for a couple of days it comes back and is starting to spread. Now I am worried that if I stop taking the meds. It will be really bad. has anyone had this happen?
I was recently diagnosed and was given Famvir (6 refills). The MD told me that if I have more than 6 outbreaks in a year I should be on daily drug. So far since the initial diagnosis (11 days) I have taken Famvir 3 times. Should I go on daily medication? How long does the initial outbreak last?
HERPES! I have tried aloe vera juices and it works. I use it once I feel the begining of an out break. I cut the aloe leaf and squeeze the juice on the area where the out break begins. Most of the time it prevents it. Other times it will be gone in a day or two without blistering.
I would like to make a comment concerning the daily treatments. When you have your 1st initial outbreak that will be the worst. But once you have taken the medication that is given to you on a daily basis for about a year. The following year you began to notice that you have less outbreaks and will not have to take or depend on much medication.
(poor girl) The use of Dawn dishwashing liquid in the area of the outbreaks will help very much. use it straight out of the bottle orignal blue if you can get it. was area about 3 times daily until outbreak is gone. If you catch it eairly enough you can prevent the outbreak. I don't know the active ingredient in dawn but it works It help dry the area out and keeps the outbreak from happening. Also if you can use a hairdryer or fan on the site after washing it. Dry it thoughly for about 15 min help also. This works trust me it sound crazy but it is cheap and you can always keep it in the home. But remember if you feel a outbreak to start getting up immediately and putting some Dawn on it will prevent you from having to deal with the sore for 3 or 4 days later. And the sore will not fully develop.
My husband had herpes. We were married 4 years, had two daughters, then he died. That was 10 years ago. I never had a problem until about 6 years ago or so. Now I'm having more frequent problems, even though I haven't had a partner since he died.
It seems like I developed a problem when I sit for long periods. I was communting an hour each way to a job a couple of times a week. Now I commute less, but I do spend a lot of time online, which involves sitting. That's where I get my problem. I'm otherwise in great physical shape.
I'm trying the dawn/hairdryer technique.
green tea, healthy foods, and exercise.... it can help keep your immune system in tip top shape which could in turn help fight off and maybe even kill the infection.
I am confused about this whole "herpes" thing. Can you still pass the virus on with a condom and there's no outbreak??? Am I done with sex, except with self??? When I was diagnosed the disbelief that appeared on my face must've been priceless. I'm otherwise healthy. If any new magic drug to get rid of this virus comes along please pass on the info.
My teenage daughter was just diagnosed with genital herpes. She has only had sex twice, and this is what happened to her - not using protection.
It's her first outbreak, and she is scared, depressed, in pain, etc.
She is taking an antibiotic, and also Acyclovir.
This is what getting drunk, and not using protection can do.
I'm reading as much as possible, and my heart hurts for her, but unlike all the times in the past, when I could make problems go away there is nothing I can do to make this go away.
This event may have changed her in a good way though. She had been so rebellous, that I suspect she was getting ready to quit High School, or flunk out of her first semester in College.
But for the last few days she seems to finally understand that there are real consequences for living a self destructive lifestyle.
I'm not casting any blame on anyone, but my daughter herself cried as she said she wishes she could just go back in time, and not have sex with the man she did.
Unfortunately, that isn't possible.
I have read an article on a University of Florida website, which is a request from a department within the University to develop a gene therapy (vaccine) with a partnering company.
I'm not sure how far advanced their testing is, but the proposal suggested that the vaccine may be able to completely render the virus inoperative.
So maybe in ten or twenty years there will be a vaccine that not only prevents the virus from being transmitted, but also stops any further outbreaks.
Love and Peace
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