Home remedies such as reducing stress and using a cold compress may help as well.
And over-the-counter treatments, like hydrocortisone cream, can help to reduce pain from herpes sores.
Home Remedies
At-home treatments forherpesare used to relieve pain.
Illustration by Emily Roberts, Verywell
One OTC drug called Abreva (docosanol) has antiviral properties.
Antivirals include oral tablets that are taken by mouth and some topical creams that are applied to the skin.
Antivirals can also help to prevent future outbreaks.
Indications for Treatment
Not every herpes outbreak requires antiviral treatment.
Mild outbreaks can often clear on their own without consequence, including the occasional cold sore.
The decision to treat is ultimately based on whether this is a first outbreak or a recurrence.
The frequency and severity of your recurrences are also considered.
In people with recurrent herpes, antivirals can be given daily to prevent outbreaks (referred to asprophylactictherapy).
Keeping herpes under control also reduces the risk of infecting others.
The dosage is also adjusted if used to prevent a recurrence.
The CDC issued the following dosing schedule for adults with recurrent genital herpes.
The CDC issued the following dosing schedule for daily suppressive therapy.
Preventing genital herpes recurrence is important as itreduces the risk of HIV.
Plans are in place to develop a vaccine, and there have been some promising trials ofherpes vaccines.
However, no human trials have proven effective enough to bring a vaccine to market.
Even so, many people swear by their effectiveness and consider them a vital part ofmanaging herpes outbreaks.
Antiviral drugs directly treat herpes infections and may help reduce the severity or duration of an outbreak.
Antivirals can also be taken daily to prevent outbreaks in people with frequent recurrences.
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