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How to Talk to Your Dermatologist About Herpes
by Rasya Dixit Best Skin Specialist in BangaloreA dermatologist is a medical specialist who can help individuals diagnose, treat, and manage a range of skin conditions that affect the skin. One such common skin concern is ‘herpes’. While one might feel uncomfortable while discussing their private parts at first, the truth is that herpes is quite a common condition. As per a survey, more than half a million cases of genital herpes have been diagnosed each year, and around 12% of the adult population in the United States experience this skin condition. This skin concern is highly contagious and spreads through skin-to-skin contact with herpes lesions.
We have created this article by taking references from Dr. Rasya Dixit, the best dermatologist in Bangalore, who heads the Dr. Dixit Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic. Through this article, we will discuss what herpes are, their symptoms and types, and how individuals should talk to their dermatologist about herpes. Continue reading for a better understanding of herpes.
What is Herpes?
Herpes is a common viral infection that is spread by skin-to-skin contact. The outbreak of herpes usually appears as little sores in the mouth, genitals, or anus. The infection of herpes is so mild that there are no obvious symptoms of it.
What are the Types of Herpes?
Herpes is often caused by the herpes simplex virus, also called HSV. Herpes can be classified into two types, i.e., HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is transmitted through oral-to-oral contact, whereas HSV-2 is a sexually transmitted infection that leads to herpes in the genitals.
HSV-1 causes cold sores, also referred to as fever blisters. These blisters develop on the edges of the lips. The genitals may develop tiny, stinging, itchy sores, which is a sign of genital herpes. These may eventually turn into scabs and ulcers as well. Since both types of herpes can go through periods of dormancy and flare-ups, it becomes possible to pass herpes along to others. As a result, one may think they are cured when they are not.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Herpes?
Many individuals who experience herpes may never have symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms are quite mild, or they can be misinterpreted for another skin concern. The symptoms include:
General Symptoms:
- One or more than one sores that appear like water blisters
- Cuts or broken skin
- Itchy skin or a painful feeling on the skin
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle ache.
Symptoms of Genital Herpes
- Pain in the legs
- Swollen lymph node near the groin region
- Painful urination
- Differences in vaginal discharge
- Gentiles being swollen.
If one is experiencing these symptoms, they must get themselves evaluated by an expert dermatologist. They can get in touch with Dr. Rasya Dixit, one of the best skin specialists in Bangalore, at the Dr. Dixit Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic. We completely understand that consulting a dermatologist for herpes might make some individuals feel uncomfortable. However, not being treated promptly may make the skin condition worse. Let’s understand how to talk to the dermatologist about herpes.
How Should Individuals Talk to Their Dermatologist About Herpes?
If anyone experiences any symptoms of herpes, as discussed above, they should schedule their appointment with the dermatologist immediately. The expert dermatologist will assess the sores to determine if they are active or not. Then, they will offer prompt treatment to help one feel more comfortable again. The patient must describe the symptoms they are experiencing in detail.
During the appointment, the doctor will also ask questions about the symptoms. This may include when they first developed, if they are causing discomfort, and whether one has had them before. One must remember that a dermatologist is always ready to help, no matter what skin concern one has, and their facility is a completely judgment-free zone. They also make patient privacy their first priority. Also, one should always keep in mind that it is not only them who are experiencing herpes; a lot of individuals experience the same condition.
Dermatologists can easily diagnose herpes by just looking at the sores during an active outbreak. A swab from a sore can also be taken, and the culture can be sent to a lab for analysis. While there ain’t any cure for HSV, the good news is that there are treatments available that help alleviate the symptoms. The expert doctor will reduce the frequency of outbreaks and minimize the risk of passing HSV to other individuals. There are also antiviral medications in the form of pills, creams, or shots available to treat both types of HSV.
How are Herpes Treated?
Since there is no specific cure for herpes, there are medications available to help with the symptoms. Some medications, such as acyc-lovir, valacy-clovir, and famcic-lovir, work effectively if taken within the first 72 hours of an outbreak. These medications help shorten the length and severity of the outbreak or stop it all together. These outbreaks often do not go away if one does not take an antiviral medication.
How Can I Prevent Outbreak of Herpes?
If one has a lot of herpes outbreaks, the dermatologist may ask the patient to take medicines every day. This helps to prevent future herpes outbreaks and lowers the chances of transferring herpes to the partner. However, one must also take care of themselves by eating healthy food, getting enough sleep, and avoiding stress, as that might help keep future outbreaks from popping up. To manage the symptoms, one must follow the tips as below:
- Have plenty of rest
- Put ice packs on the sore skin for some time
- Make sure you keep the skin area dry
- Avoid breaking or opening the blisters, and do not put anything on the skin until advised by a healthcare specialist.
- If one directly touches the area, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Preventive Tips for Genital Herpes
- Wear loose-fitted clothes and comfortable cotton wear to reduce rubbing of the sore skin
- Have a bath with warm water
- Avoid having a bubble bath
- If urination is painful, pour warm water over the genitals when peeing in a warm shower
- Use a blow dryer on the cool setting to dry the area after a bath instead of using a towel
- Refrain from spending too much time sitting down.
Living With Herpes
It is common to feel embarrassed if one is diagnosed with herpes. One may also feel that their sexual life is affected, and they may feel sad or upset about it. It is important to understand that herpes is common, and a dermatologist can help alleviate its symptoms.
One can schedule an appointment with Dr. Rasya Dixit, a renowned dermatologist in Bangalore who practices at the Dr. Dixit Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic. Besides herpes, the expert skin doctor can treat other skin conditions such as acne, pigmentation, warts, psoriasis, fungal infections, skin infections, vitiligo, etc.
One can also visit the clinic to avail the benefits of a wide range of dermatological procedures, such as laser toning, dermal fillers, mole removal, skin tag removal, chemical peels, thread lifts, vampire facelifts, laser hair reduction, and many more.
For more details regarding these procedures, visit Dr. Dixit Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic.
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About Rasya Dixit 
Best Skin Specialist in Bangalore
8 connections, 0 recommendations, 67 honor points.Joined APSense since, January 2nd, 2020, From Bengaluru, India.
Created on Nov 18th 2023 03:08. Viewed 97 times.
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