There are a number of at-home herpes remedies that you can do to help relieve your genital herpes symptoms.
During a Herpes Outbreak
Since there is no herpes cure, following these guidelines during a herpes outbreak will help you stay comfortable plus reduce your chances of spreading this STD:
Avoid touching your herpes sores and avoid any and all sexual contact from the first onset of symptoms until they have completely cleared up.
Frequently wash your hands, especially under the fingernails, throughout the day
Keep your lesions clean and dry. You may want to sprinkle some cornstarch in your underwear to help the area stay dry.
Wear cotton or some other type of natural fiber underwear and loose-fitting clothing.
Drink lots of water
Genital Herpes Pain Relief
Here are some tips to help you deal with any discomfort you may experience during an outbreak:
Place ice packs onto the affected area
Take a warm bath
Apply cool, non-herbal tea bags to the affected area
If you’re experiencing any pains, aches or fever with the outbreak, you may want to take an ibuprofen, aspirin or acetaminophen
Outbreak Prevention
If you’re living with herpes, making some lifestyle changes may help reduce recurrent outbreaks.
While study findings have not been conclusive, lowering your stress levels and learning how to be better handle stress may be beneficial in preventing herpes outbreaks
Caffeine has been shown to have some anti-herpes virus properties although those infected with HSV-1 may not realize any benefits from consuming caffeinated beverages
Some herbal remedies, including the use of Melissa, aloe vera, Echinacea, and tea tree oil, may be helpful but it is important to consult a professional herbalist before using any herbal treatment. Herbs are not a regulated substance and can be extremely potent with serious side effects if not taken properly.
Other home remedies that have shown some potential in treating or preventing herpes outbreaks include Watkins Medical Ointment, gypsy mushrooms (which have been shown to have an HSV-1 and HSV-2 inhibiting chemical), and a Prunella vulgaris plant extract (which may prevent the viral growth of both HSV strains in cells).
Does Lysine Help Against Herpes?
Some people have found that taking an L-lysine supplement may help reduce the healing time for cold sores as well as prevent future outbreaks. The recommended dose is usually about 1g per day. It has also been suggested that consuming a diet high in L-lysine but low in arginine (both are amino acids) levels can prevent breakouts of HSV-1 and possibly HSV-2. However, there is not enough research to back this claim up. Foods that typically have a high L-lysine level and low arginine level include beans, beef, fish and most fruits, vegetables and dairy products.
