How to Treat an Outbreak of Herpes

Herpes is a type of viral infection that can strike a person in one of three different ways, as an ocular herpes, oral herpes or genital herpes. All three manifestations of the disease are caused by the same virus and all are highly contagious. It is also very difficult to treat the outbreaks of symptoms that herpes sufferers deal with on a varying basis. There are, however, effective ways of treating an outbreak of herpes.

Things You'll Need

• Cortisone (also spelled Cortizone) cream
• Loose garments
• Over-the-counter pain medication
• Condoms (for genital outbreaks)
• Self-control

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Refrain from contact with others. It is absolutely essential during an outbreak of herpes that you refrain from contact with other people as much as possible. This will keep you from transmitting the herpes infection to others.

• 2

  As much as possible, stay away from the infected area. It is possible, by touching the infected area and then touching yourself again, to spread your herpes infection from one area to another on your body. You could, for instance, during an oral infection outbreak of herpes, touch your mouth and then, later on, touch your genitals or eyes and spread the infection. Avoid this as much as is practicable.

• 3

  Take pain medications to help manage any associated pain. Over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium, can be used to help manage your pain.

• 4

  Spread cortisone cream on the affected area to help minimize the itching, swelling and general discomfort of the outbreak.

• 5

  Take a prescription medication to help deal with your current outbreak and prevent others from occurring in the future. See your doctor to figure out which prescription medication is right to treat your herpes.