The lips, genitals, and eyes are just a few of the body parts that are susceptible to herpes sores. Herpes may be diagnosed more easily if individuals are aware of how it manifests itself throughout the body.
The herpes simplex virus is what causes the skin disorder known as herpes. Sores that appear and disappear over time are among the symptoms. Herpes affects various bodily areas differently.
This page will define herpes, describe how it spreads, and provide illustrations of what herpes looks like.
What is Herpes?
Herpes is a somewhat common illness that results in little skin sores.
After being exposed to the herpes simplex virus, people get herpes (HSV).
This virus comes in two varieties:
- Oral herpes, also known as herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1), often affects the mouth.
- Genital herpes, also known as herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2), often affects the genitalia.
Worldwide, 67 percent of persons under 50 have the HSV-1 virus, while 11 percent of those aged 15 to 49 have the HSV-2 infection, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source.
HSV-1 and HSV-2 may both manifest on the face and genitalia. Both herpes viruses may be spread by body fluids, such as saliva and vaginal secretions.
Once infected, a person might have periodic relapses of their symptoms for the rest of their lives. Sometimes though the sores may be annoying and even painful, generally healthy individuals are typically not at risk from them.
What does Herpes look like?
Herpes manifests differently depending on the part of the body it infects.
The majority of HSV carriers are asymptomatic, meaning they have no symptoms. Others will see lesions or sores. These lesions have the appearance of fluid-filled blisters. The lesions erupt over a few days, ooze, and then develop a crust before healing.
A few days prior to the sores developing, people may also experience tingling, itching, or burning sensations. Additionally, some patients may have flu-like symptoms, such as:
- Muscular pains
- Fever
The initial sores or an outbreak generally appear two to twenty days after the virus has been infected. The sores might last for a week or ten days.
A single sore or a collection of sores may be part of an outbreak. The skin surrounding the lips, the genitalia, or the rectum are often affected. Healing time for the blisters might range from two to four weeks.
Regularly, the symptoms will return, albeit they normally aren’t as bad as they were the first time.
The symptoms of herpes that manifest in frequently afflicted body areas are covered in the sections that follow.
Mouth
The majority of blisters from oral herpes develop on the lips or mouth. They may develop elsewhere on the face as well, particularly on the tongue or in the areas below the nose and around the chin.
The lesions first resemble little bumps or pimples before turning into pus-filled blisters. These might be white, yellow, or red. Before the blister forms a golden crust and cures, they will rupture and ooze a clear or yellow liquid.
During an outbreak, people with oral herpes may feel enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
Genitalia of women
Females with genital herpes may have sores within the vagina or on the vulva, the region of the genitals that extends beyond the lips (labia). Sores that form within the vagina may be difficult to perceive.
Although genital sores come in a variety of sizes and numbers, they always have the same fluid-filled pimple or blister appearance as oral herpes. As they recover, they will rupture and form a golden crust.
Women are more likely than men to have difficulty peeing during an outbreak of genital herpes. While passing pee, they could feel like something is scorching them. Additionally, they could detect enlarged lymph nodes in their groin.
Men’s privates
Men who have genital herpes may have sores on or around their penis.
Little fluid-filled sores that are red, white, or yellow in color grow out of small red or white bumps. These lesions often break before they start to crust over, much as with oral herpes and female genital herpes.
Swollen groin lymph nodes are another flu-like symptom that men may encounter.
Rectum
The buttocks or the area surrounding the rectum may develop sores or blisters in both men and women with genital herpes.
An open, red wound on or around the anus may be seen.
Along with developing enlarged lymph nodes in the groin, a person may also have herpes sores around the rectum.
Fingers
Thumb suckers in kids are more likely to have herpetic whitlow.
Blisters from herpes may also appear on the fingers. This condition, known as herpetic whitlow, is especially prevalent in kids who suck their thumbs.
Around the fingernail, herpes may lead to the development of one or more sores. Before a sore appears, a person may often feel discomfort or tingling in the region.
If many sores develop, they usually merge and grow into one big blister that resembles a honeycomb within a week. The nail bed may also get affected.
Eyes
Herpes keratitis is the medical term for an eye herpes infection. One or both eyes may be impacted, and it causes
- Eye discomfort
- Sensitivity to light
- Discharge from the eye
Anyone with herpes keratitis symptoms should see a doctor. If left untreated, the infection may scar the eye, causing vision loss or even blurry eyesight.
Summary
The herpes simplex virus causes the moderate skin ailment known as herpes. Anywhere on the body, it causes blister-like lesions to develop.
The lips, genitals, and buttocks are the most often impacted regions.
People who have HSV will often sometimes break out since there is no known treatment for the infection.
Although individuals may assist in treating epidemics by utilizing antiviral medications, such as:
- Acyclovir
- Famciclovir
- Valacyclovir
These medications, which are sold as creams or tablets at pharmacies or with a doctor’s prescription, may reduce the length of a herpes outbreak.
When symptoms are at their worst, particularly when the sores are exposed, stay away from skin-to-skin contact to prevent the spread of herpes to others.
By wearing a condom in between outbreaks, genital herpes sufferers might lessen their chance of spreading the infection to others.
When experiencing an outbreak, those who have oral herpes should refrain from kissing, sharing utensils, and engaging in oral sex.
