How to Use Home Remedies to Treat Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease that is spread by having sex with someone who has the virus. Many people who have genital herpes don't even know they have it in the early stages. Genital herpes, or herpes simplex type two, is different from herpes simplex type one, which is less severe and causes cold sores on the mouth. Symptoms of genital herpes include sores on the genitals, flu-like symptoms, fever and swollen glands. Genital herpes can also be spread by oral sex or by touching a herpes sore and not washing your hands. There is no cure for herpes and the virus will stay with the infected person forever, but only shows itself during the occasional outbreak. If you have genital herpes you will have to see a doctor and take medication for it, but there are things you can do at home to ease the virus in the meantime.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baking soda
• Cotton balls
• Cornstarch
• Peppermint tea
• Cold and wet tea bag
• Ice or bag of frozen vegetables
• Milk
• Calamine lotion
• Zinc oxide
• Hair dryer
• Soap and water
• Loose fitting cotton underwear

1. Dip a cotton ball into baking soda and pat the painful sores to relieve itching. The more you scratch the sores, the more they will hurt. Patting the sore area with a soft cotton ball and baking soda will ease the sores and the pain. Do not dip the used cotton ball in the baking soda afterward or you will contaminate the unused baking soda. You can also use cornstarch the same way if you don't have baking soda.

2. Drink a cup of peppermint tea to help relieve pain, reduce fever if you have one, and relax yourself. It is important to stay relaxed and stress-free while having a genital herpes breakout.

3. Wet a tea bag in cold water and place it over the genital herpes sores. The tannic acid will help relieve the genital tissues. Make sure you throw away the tea bag once you are done.

4. Fill a bag with crushed ice or use a bag of frozen vegetables. Wrap the bag of ice or frozen vegetables with a sheet or towel and place it on the sores. Leave the cold wrap on the sores for 10 to 15 minutes and repeat this several times a day during genital herpes breakouts. Do not use the cold wrap too long because prolonged use of ice can cause tissue damage.

5. Soak a couple of cotton balls in cold milk. Apply the milk-soaked cotton balls to the sores to ease the pain and itching caused by genital herpes. The milk-soaked cotton balls can also help promote the healing process.

Tips & Warnings

• Calamine lotion and zinc oxide can help ease the pain and promote the healing process. Only men who have genital herpes should use these "drying" lotions. Woman should not use these on or near the vagina because these types of dry lotions should not be used near mucous membranes. Use a hair dryer on the genitals to dry them after a bath instead of a bath towel. A bath towel may irritate the genitals and cause the sores to become more painful. The air from the hair dryer may also soothe the genitals and speed up the healing process. Be sure to use a mild heat setting to prevent burning yourself. Use soap and water to keep the genitals germ-free. Wash your hands and genitals with hot soapy water to keep them from spreading to other areas. Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear to ease the pain and itching.
• Do not depend on condoms to protect you from spreading the genital herpes virus. Condoms may not cover the entire area. It is best to not have sex at all during an outbreak. Avoid baths when having an outbreak of genital herpes. Take a shower instead. If you soak in the bathtub you can shed some of the virus into your bath water and leave it behind in the tub for others to get it. Do not touch your genitals during an outbreak or you could spread the virus to other areas or other people. Make sure to see a doctor for prescription treatment for genital herpes. There is no cure and you can treat them at home with these home remedies but you still need professional treatment from a doctor.

Resources

• The Doctors Book of Home Remedies
• Home Remedies for Genital Herpes

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