A genital herpes outbreak can vary in severity depending on the location of your outbreak, whether you are a male or female, and on whether or not you are medicating your outbreaks. For the initial genital herpes outbreak, patients do not exhibit the normal types of symptoms such as the lesions that form in or around the genital area. Often, the first outbreak reflects better the symptoms of the flu: headache, muschle ache, fever, swollen lymph nodes, etc.
It is not until the second outbreak that lesions and typical symptoms of an outbreak will be present. The following article will detail the typical stages seen with an outbreak. I will preface this with the fact that if you think you are infected with the herpes virus, you should talk with your doctor about the right treatment for you.
1. Prodrome Phase:
The prodrome phase is the first stage of a herpes outbreak. At this stage, the body will start giving off signals that you are going to have an outbreak. Most people infected with genital herpes feel a tingling sensation in the genital area prior to any lesions even forming. This is caused by swelling of then nerve endings as the virus escapes your nervous system and makes its way to the surface of your skin. Even without any physical symptoms of the herpes virus, you are still contagious now that the virus is active in your body.
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2. Vesicle Stage:
At this stage, small blisters begin to form. For men, this usually happens around the head of the penis but can also be found on the shaft. For women, the lesions and sores can be found either on the outer lips of the vagina or internally. This is the first physical signs of an outbreak. Women with internal herpes can often experience vaginal discharge. Also, due to location, urination can be uncomfortable and painful. You are highly contagious at this point and should be very careful.
3. Ulcering Blisters:
At this time, the lesions in the genital area begin to grow. This can be accompanied by itching and burning as the skin gets more and more aggitated. Liquid filled ulcers will erupt actively shedding the virus from your body. Essential oils may help to alleviate this discomfort. Plantlike sells 100% Pure Essential Lemon Oil. Lemon oil has been shown in Germany to help reduce the severity and duration of herpes outbreaks. Tea Tree Oil can also be effective in managing herpes outbreaks and releaving pain.
4. Scabbing:
After some time, your blisters will scab over. This can be painful if the scabs crack and bleed. Your skin will still be irritated and raw, but this should only last for 2-4 days depending on how quickly you heal.
5. Healing
After the stages of a herpes outbreak, your scab will fall off an leave behind a raw looking piece of skin. After time, this skin will return back to normal. This whole process could take anywhere from 7-14 days depending on the severity of the outbreak and you treatment of the virus.
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