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How to Relieve Genital Herpes Symptoms

Genital herpes is not usually a serious disease, and it rarely causes other long-term health problems. Fortunately, genital herpes outbreaks are infrequent for the most part, and usually clear up within just a few days. Outbreaks can be uncomfortable, but there are many things you can do to relieve the general symptoms of genital herpes.

Things You'll Need

  • Garlic
  • Water
  • Loose clothing
  • Pain medication
  • Epsom salt
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Instructions

  1. Relieve Genital Herpes Symptoms

    • 1

      Take warm salt baths to relieve genital herpes symptoms. Healing salt will help clean, soothe and dry your sores, which may make them clear up faster. One or two handfuls of Epsom salt added to your bath may do the trick.

    • 2

      Use a hair dryer to dry off the sores, taking care to ensure the dryer is not too hot. Many professional grade hair dryers heat up quickly, so you'll want to be careful that you do not hurt your sores. Using a dryer may be more comfortable than using a towel, which can rub uncomfortably against sores.

    • 3

      Wear underwear made of cotton or the tree pulp derived product modal. These two fabrics absorb moisture better than those made from synthetic material, and will help keep your genital area dry and comfortable.

    • 4

      Take nonprescription medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, which may reduce the pain and fever from genital herpes.

    • 5

      Reduce factors such as overexposure to the sun, fatigue, irritation of the skin of the genital region and excessive stress, so that outbreaks are less likely to be triggered.

    • 6

      Eat a bowl full of pasta with extra garlic cloves added. Garlic is believed to be a tough virus opponent, and helps strengthen the body's immune system in general. If you don't like eating garlic, you can try one of the tasteless, odorless garlic supplements sold in health food stores.

    • 7

      Drink plenty of water to dilute urine if urination becomes painful for you. You may want to consider using medicated pads, such as those used for hemorrhoids, in place of toilet paper, at least until your sores clear up.

    • 8

      Wear loose underclothes that do not cling to relieve symptoms. Irritating the skin where sores occur may irritate them, causing more frequent outbreaks and possibly even bleeding.

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