Hi all,
Used to quite an active member but have generally come to terms a little with my illness over the past ten months. As a back story I caught herpes off my new partner. He didn't know he had it and it was a terribly tough time. I've been through a major depressive period, but to those of you struggling, there is light at the end of the tunnel. On suppressive therapy and looking after myself I have been herpes free for about 8 months which has been awesome.
Unfortunately I've just been on holiday and got a little lazy in taking my daily tablets... And here I am. 5 days into an awful outbreak.
Has anyone got any advice on how to heal the broken sores quicker ? I've been bathing and keeping them clean, washing with soap and water and applying some witch hazel (which makes me almost pass out it hurts so much haha but I feel, no pain no gain right?) but this is dragging out now, some of the sores are still not drying and obviously it is irritated and causing me pain. Walking and sitting in my work clothes is not comfortable and I just want this to end ASAP ! I forgot how annoying the outbreaks are!!
Do any of you apply anything directly to your sores ? Bearing in mind I am female and this is already a sensitive area and I don't want to irritate myself further...
Thanks in advance for any suggestions, willing to try absolutely anything at the moment.
R
I don't believe in the drying out theory.. You can dry all day long, but if the virus is present and continues replicating, then they will not go away. I think drying causes unnecessary pay IMO. Putting Vaseline on them eases the pain. People want to treat herpes sores like they are blisters from a burn, which is ridiculous, because it's very diffwdamage happening on the skin. Burns happen ontop of the skin, herpes is entering the skin nuclei and upon entering and replicating, it in some people causes the nucleus to burst, which results in a sore. See why there's really not supporting evidence, other than what's passed around online, to back drying it?
Make sure you're bathing in Epsom salt. Spray Bactine in sores to numb the pain. Double up your doses of meda until symptoms start to clear.
I have found that 100% aloe vera gel does help a lot as well as carmex! Yes i said carmex. It soothes and helps with the healing process. I also read that vitamin c powder mixed with a little water to make a paste will actually stop the virus from replicating and heal the sores in a few days. I can't speak from experience seeing how i can't find it in any store.
Hi D,
You know what, I had considered using carmex before, there's nothing like it when my lips get chapped ! But I had been cautious about using anything in the area affected by hsv. I will give it a go ! I've read about the aloe too so I will go to the shop and get some today 
thanks for that!
Thanks for input feel broken but my sores were just remaining as open wounds and I have things to do (horse riding etc) which I really need the sores to scab over for, and work is an actual NIGHTMARE in my outfit with this stuff going on. I have doubled up on meds and now taking 3/4 times a day instead 1/2 times. I am getting there and it is healing as all blisters have popped (gross). Guess I just forgot how frustrating the illness was as I've not had an outbreak like this since before last Xmas
Here's hoping we get a vaccine in the next decade
I've had herpes for almost 12 years now. I am taking valtrex on a day to day basis. Although as I grow older it seems as though my outbreaks are more fragile. I've noticed if I party drink, smoke or stress out more I will have an outbreak. Knowing your body and what sets your outbreaks off is #1 in treating the virus. Herpes is NOT a disease! It will not kill you or make you sick. Its just annoying as hell and interrupts life. Anyway, the less toxins you put into your body the less outbreaks. Also, green tea helps with the suppression of outbreaks. I was told by my physician that also has herpes, is that herpes is a skin to skin contact std just like HPV. So if you have or think your having an outbreak do NOT have intercourse. If your taking valtrex on.the reg its a 10% chance that your partner will contract it.
Im 24 have had herpes since I was 18
I feel that I don't get herpes outbreaks often at all maybe once a year and they are mild but if the sore opens I use corn starch ad just dab it on the sore so it helps dry it out it helps the sore not stick to my panties as that is extremely painful to pull off!!
So my advice would be to use cornstarch on UR sore and sleep with no panties on so they dry out
Also when I was first diagnosed the dr prescribed valtrex I threw it away immediately and refused to take it as I felt that would someone make me have more herpes outbreaks since it's herpes medicine and I just don't trust it so I chose to not use Valtrex at all and take no daily suppressive therapy drug and have had a very very mild case of herpes outbreaks over the years sometimes mental health is stronger by believing UR healthy and won't get the outbreaks
Also herpes has not passed onto any new sexual partner I have had even unprotected sex and no guy has ran away from me after I told him I have herpes yes it's a chance to take but guys want sex and probably won't care as much as U think they will for anyone afraid they will never get laid again I had unprotected sex with my ex for the last five years and he NEVER got it
R u sure u have herpes. Sounds like you are living life as if nothing has happen. I wish I was like that. I just got dx today and can't see a future.
Yes I do 
but I have had it 6 years and most of the time don't even think about having it because there is no sign of it
I don't take any medicine because I am young enough that I feel my immune system keeps it dormant I usualy get a small outbreak of one or two sores once or twice a year so I feel annoyed I have herpes but I don't think about it cause I don't get outbreaks often and my ex never got it and we never used a condom once
guys will absolutely still want to sleep with U and once some time passes it wNt seem as bad and it's really not so bad
Well, herpes is a virus so take that as you may and doctors are people. They can get the same things as everyone else. Saying there are no doctors with herpes is like saying doctors are magical beings that have complete immunity to all sexually transmitted infections and diseases yet those types of doctors are NONEXISTENT as you so eloquently put it.
It clearly say you can go months or years without knowing that you have virus. So don't say never .. you should always be cautious
I do not take Valtrex or anything internal. I was prescribed an ointment called Zovirax that I apply when an outbreak occur.
I have had this issue over 20 years and I have learned when I eat certain foods it activates an outbreak, particularly greasy or pork products.
Hope this helps.
Hi does the Epsom salt or Bactine burn when it touches a brand new open blister ???
Absolutely Foods can Cause an OB. For me it's any and all nuts, too much broccoli or other vegetables that are high in arginine and wheat bread.
Stress is also a factor. It's very important to pay attention to your body.
Dabbing peroxide on sores has helped me, as have ice packs.
If you think doctors and nurses aren't regular people who also end up getting STDs, you're delusional. My primary care physician is HIV+, and I'm a trauma nurse who is also HIV+, so maybe you need to educate yourself before you rant on things you know nothing about.
He said nothing about the word STD in his paragraph or her ( assuming gender here) and if the physician felt comfortable enough to tell their client that they have herpes that's fine to. Doesn't make it non existent lol.
New to this site but not to herpes. I know everyone experiences it differently but in my case it is rarely something I have to deal with. I was horrified when I found out I had it. Life was over! Turns out it wasn't. My husband gave it to me so we don't need to worry about protection so I guess that limits the impact. I. Wish everyone well and am happy to have found this resource.
Ok so hi everyone I literally created an account just to tell you all,
MELISSA is the answer. This is a root, lemon balm. Mix it with licorice extract and it's a miracle. Ask your naturopath about it, my doctor has 2 patients that the herpes remains dormant and 1 patient that the herpes is no longer in them. It's amazing.
Ate you applying this or drinking it?
Are you sexually active? I'm asking because I'm afraid to b intimate with anyone