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What Does a Mild Herpes Outbreak Look Like?

Herpes can occur on the genitals or on the lips. The infection is spread by skin-to-skin contact, such as sexual activity in the case of genital herpes and kissing in the case of oral herpes. The majority of people with herpes experience mild symptoms.

  1. Symptoms

    • Although classic herpes symptoms involve blisters that break open and cause pain, mild cases can look like an insect bite, a rash, razor burn or a small abrasion. Frequently, the symptoms go unnoticed.

    Location

    • Oral herpes appears on or around the lips, and genital herpes shows up anywhere in the pelvic area, such as on the penis, vulva, anus, thigh and buttocks.

    Time Frame

    • Herpes symptoms tend to resolve in 2 to 12 days.

    Healing

    • Both classic herpes lesions and milder manifestations heal without scarring.

    Treatment

    • Antiviral medications can lessen the severity and duration of outbreaks and, if taken every day, reduce their frequency. The most common drugs prescribed for herpes are acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir.

    Warnings

    • Herpes can be contagious even when no lesions are present on the skin. The virus may shed during what is known as the prodromal period, when the skin tingles in the days before an outbreak of sores. In addition, some people experience asymptomatic shedding, where the virus is on the skin but no lesions form.

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