How long does it take for swelling to go down with herpes, how to relieve swelling from a cold

Ointments for treatment

Flucinar An integrated approach is used to treat the edematous form of herpes.
Treatment is prescribed after diagnostic studies. Treat the inflamed area with gel or ointment. For example ''Acyclovir'' or its analogue ''Zovirax''. More effective ointment ''Flucinar''. Antiviral drugs, immunity boosters, and others are also used. They reduce swelling, quickly heal ulcers, reduce itching, and help wounds heal quickly. It is better to apply the ointment with cotton swabs so that the herpes does not transfer to another area of the skin. Continue treatment for a week. Along with the medications described above, it is good to take vitamins C, group B. Vitamin E accelerates healing and reduces pain. Zinc with vitamin C reduces the duration of the disease. Damaged cells are restored using the herbs ginseng, echinacea, as well as pantocrine and mumiyo, which have a good effect.

What is herpes?

Almost 90% of people are infected with the herpes virus. However, the disease manifests itself in only 17%. There are about 100 types of herpes, 8 of which can parasitize the human body.

When a person is healthy, his immune system copes with the virus, but as soon as he catches a little cold, herpes begins to attack the body. Sometimes signs of virus activation appear near the eyes, on the eyelids. How dangerous is this? Many people have encountered this disease. Some people don't even make any attempt to get rid of the signs of herpes. They often go away on their own as soon as a person recovers from a cold. However, herpes on the eye is a very dangerous disease, since if left untreated, the virus causes severe side effects and causes the development of serious ophthalmological diseases.

It is impossible to completely cure herpes. If it enters the body, which happens through airborne droplets, through contact with household objects, through food, it is no longer possible to get rid of it. The virus will remain dormant in the nerve ganglia until the person becomes ill and his immunity weakens. In this regard, therapy does not eliminate the virus itself, but its symptoms. So, why does herpes occur on the eye, how is it treated and can its occurrence be prevented? Let's take a closer look at these questions.

Isolation and identification of HSV

In specialized virology laboratories, HSV is isolated using the culture method. Its essence lies in the fact that the material for research (the contents of herpetic eruptions, human secretions) is placed on specially grown cells in which the virus begins to multiply. Then, after 5 days, the presence of HSV is determined by characteristic changes. Thus, we can say for sure that this disease is of a herpetic nature.

To identify the causative agent of HSV, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is widely used, which makes it possible to find out what type of herpes virus is present in the body. The material for research is taken with a special brush from the rash sites. The PNR method is highly sensitive and is performed within 24–48 hours.

How to relieve swelling with herpes?

There are 8 forms of herpes infection. Of these, edema is most often provoked by the activity of the first type of pathogen. During the course of the disease, various clinical phenomena are possible, among which the most common are:

itching;
burning;
pain.

Thus, the first type of disease manifests itself shortly before the formation of vesicles with serous contents.

Knowing the causes of pathology, you can take measures in advance to prevent exacerbation of the disease. The appearance of herpes is promoted by various factors that weaken the immune system:

kidney diseases;
avitaminosis;
hypothermia;
respiratory and other pathologies;
mechanical damage to tissues and so on.

Under the influence of these factors, the herpes simplex virus is activated, which is why the patient may feel an unpleasant burning and tingling sensation in a place where watery formations may subsequently appear. As they form, the size of the bubbles gradually increases, which increases the swelling of the affected area, which is explained by the rapid development of the inflammatory process.

During this period, it is necessary to use a medicine whose action is directed directly against the virus. Otherwise, the inflammatory process will spread to healthy tissue, causing the affected area to increase.

Less commonly, when this disease recurs, no blistering rashes occur. The only sign of exacerbation is swelling.

Manifestations of infection can be controlled with antiviral medications and other medications

It is important that in the treatment of herpes, a complex of drugs is used that not only eliminates the symptoms, but also strengthens the immune system. It is optimal if treatment is started at the initial stage of the disease (when a burning sensation appears)

Symptoms of herpes simplex infection

There are few signs of herpes, but they are all very characteristic. Therefore, difficulties in differential diagnosis almost never arise.

The main symptoms of infection with herpes simplex, which is the most common form of herpetic lesions, are as follows:

painful tissue swelling appears in the affected area;
after 1-2 days it transforms into a denser infiltrate;
the infiltrate turns into a bubble with liquid;
the blister bursts and a painful ulcer forms in its place;
the ulceration dries out and is covered with a new layer of epithelium - the wound heals.

The way lips look after herpes is the same as after any other skin disease: the swelling disappears, but the ulcer cannot heal for some time. It is covered with a yellowish film that constantly “peels off” from the wound surface, thereby exposing the wound and delaying the process of epithelial regeneration at the site of the lesion.

Oral medications

Herpes is a viral infection. You can get rid of its symptoms with the help of medications taken orally. Oral medications block the activation of viral cells, due to which the external manifestations of herpes go away.

Most often, dermatologists prescribe drugs based on acyclovir - these are tablets of the same name, Zovirax, Ciclovir and others. The course of treatment depends on the course of the disease, usually it does not exceed 7 days. Symptoms such as swelling, burning and itching disappear after 1-2 days.

Immunomodulators are rarely prescribed as primary treatment and are usually combined with antiviral medications.

Cycloferon, the full course of treatment lasts a month.
Amiksin, course duration varies from 10 days to a month.
Likopid, the course of treatment lasts 6-10 days, after which a break is taken for 3 days.

Immunomodulators relieve swelling by activating natural protective functions. The body begins to fight herpes on its own and after a few days the unpleasant symptoms of the disease begin to subside.

Before you start dealing with swelling, you should consult a dermatologist or therapist. The doctor will confirm the diagnosis and prescribe an effective treatment regimen.

Author of the article

Dermatologist, doctor of the highest category, 31 years of experience.

How to find out if there is a virus?

Already during the initial examination of the patient, the doctor can determine the presence of herpes (often people who have visual manifestations of the disease seek medical help). But in order to confirm the diagnosis and determine the degree of development of the infection, laboratory tests are prescribed.

Tests are important when planning pregnancy, since the virus is dangerous to the fetus. Tests are also required for patients preparing for transplantation.

There are several diagnostic methods - which one will be optimal in a particular case, the doctor will tell you. The presence of the herpes virus and its type can be determined by blood tests (enzyme immunoassay, PCR analysis, immunofluorescence reaction) and scrapings (culture method, immunofluorescence reaction). The most accurate, but also the most time-consuming and expensive method is the cultural method, which involves “growing” a virus obtained from a patient’s biomaterial in laboratory conditions.

Diagnosis of herpes

What to do for warning?

The best preventative measures to prevent this disease and its manifestations will be regular measures to strengthen the immune system. These include:

Hardening. Dousing with ice water, Russian bath and sauna with herbal teas, walking barefoot on the grass in the summer, contrast shower.
Autohemotherapy. A method in which blood is taken from a vein and injected into the buttock according to a special scheme. First, increase the dose and then gradually decrease it.
The use of well-known strengthening folk remedies: ginseng, echinacea, licorice root, rose hips, herbal teas.

Herpes virus type 8

Herpes virus type 8 can cause Kaposi's sarcoma and Castleman's disease. Kaposi's sarcoma is a serious pathology that is accompanied by the appearance of malignant skin tumors. It is quite difficult, especially with immune deficiency. May be complicated by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the palate and lymph nodes.

Castleman's disease is a rare disease in which fever, enlargement of the liver and spleen, anemia, and a sharp decrease in body weight are observed.

Causes

Thanks to the tear fluid - it contains secretory immunoglobulins that reliably protect our eyes from various infections. Her strength, unfortunately, is not enough if the immune defense of the body as a whole weakens.

This happens for various reasons: after infectious diseases, surgery, stress, hypothermia.

In such circumstances, ophthalmoherpes quickly finds the “weak link” and manifests itself in all its “glory.”

The immediate impetus for the start of his hostilities is:

eye injuries;
contact with a sick person;
using the same hygiene products with the patient;
use of immunosuppressants.

An outbreak of the disease can occur in a pregnant woman, since during pregnancy the body undergoes dramatic changes and the immune system weakens.

Experts distinguish two methods of infection: endogenous (viral herpes, having entered the body, under favorable circumstances, manifests itself in various areas, including the cornea of the eye or the eyeball) and exogenous (the infection enters the mucous membrane of the eye from the outside).

The second option is more common in children than in adults, because children constantly violate the rules of hygiene, participate in general games and can easily catch some kind of infection.

According to medical statistics, 80 percent of infections in young patients occur through exogenous infection.

Precancerous diseases of the lips

Precursors of oncology are pathological processes in tissues: inflammation, infection, bacterial damage. All this can provoke the development of oncology.

What diseases can lead to the development of lip cancer:

Leukoplakia lips.
Precancerous cheilitis.
Hyperkeratosis of the red border.

Recently, there has been a tendency for papillomas to degenerate into malignant formations. If a wart appears on the surface of the lips, it should be removed. This will reduce the risk of developing cancer, but will not eliminate it completely. Since HPV is in the blood, which means it can recur when the activity of the immune system decreases.

Obligate precancer

Characterizes itself by the presence in a person of an innate predisposition to the development of malignant formation.

Such diseases include xeroderma pigmentosum, which manifests itself as increased sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet radiation.

What to do for warning

The best preventative measures to prevent this disease and its manifestations will be regular measures to strengthen the immune system. These include:

Hardening. Dousing with ice water, Russian bath and sauna with herbal teas, walking barefoot on the grass in the summer, contrast shower.
Autohemotherapy. A method in which blood is taken from a vein and injected into the buttock according to a special scheme. First, increase the dose and then gradually decrease it.
The use of well-known strengthening folk remedies: ginseng, echinacea, licorice root, rose hips, herbal teas.

If the lip is swollen, folk recipes or medications should be used in combination and regularly, then a quick and lasting effect is achieved. Thus, treating swelling with herpes will not be a problem at the very beginning of the disease and will help speed up healing. The main thing is to monitor your health and then herpes will not cause inconvenience.

When a tumor has formed on the lip, one can only assume that this is a consequence of herpes if the body is characterized by this disease. At the initial stage, before the bubbles appear, the lip is very swollen and painful.

Within a day, a bubble forms at the site of the swelling, containing a clear liquid inside. The bubble that appears cannot be broken or pressed. This should not be done because there is an infectious agent in the bladder.

Contact with healthy areas of the lip or skin nearby can lead to swelling of this area. It is best to use remedies at the swelling stage that will remove the swelling and avoid further development of the disease.

Very often lip swelling occurs:

from hypothermia;
weakened immune system;
overwork;
stress;
headache;
insomnia.

Swelling is characterized by sharp swelling of the tissues, which collides with fatty tissue on the skin. If herpes often appears in the same area of the lip, a lump may form on the skin.

Types and forms of lip cancer

Malignant formations of soft tissues are not uncommon; they are formed literally “out of nothing.” This is what is commonly believed, but in reality not everything is so simple.

The appearance of a tumor is associated with several factors. Previously, it was believed that smoking and addiction to alcohol were to blame. Now, the risks of cancer are increasing due to frequent infection with the human papillomavirus.

There are several types of malignant process; it is worth noting that oncological formations of the lip are rarely reactive in nature (that is, they develop rapidly).

What classification does the disease have?

Squamous cell keratinizing cancer develops slowly, the disease involves new tissues in the process, but metastases rarely appear. Due to the long course of the pathological process.
Squamous cell non-keratinizing cancer is characterized by rapid development, the process involves nearby tissues, and metastases affect the lymph nodes of the jaw and submandibular region.

It is worth noting that in comparison with other types of malignant process, cancerous tumors of the lips rarely metastasize, but it all depends on the stage of development of the disease:

At the first stage:	As the disease progresses, the chances of metastases increase and are:	At stage 3:	If the pathological process reaches its final stage:
metastases appear only in 5-8% of cases.	no more than 20%.	metastases appear in 35% of patients.	then metastasis is observed in 70% of patients.

If we talk about the forms of the disease, there are only 3 of them:

External medications

You can get rid of swelling using acyclovir-based creams and ointments.

This substance not only removes swelling, but also has other properties:

relieves itching and burning, these symptoms are characteristic of any stage of herpes;
triggers regeneration processes in skin cells, promotes rapid healing of the source of infection;
has an antiviral effect, blocks the activity of herpes.

The most famous drug based on this substance has the same name - Acyclovir. The product is available in the form of ointment and cream, they differ in their base. The ointment has a greasy texture due to lanolin in its composition.

Using the drug you can relieve swelling in a short period of time. If you use the product according to the instructions, apply it to the affected areas of the skin 4-5 times a day, then the swelling may disappear the very next morning.

Zovirax is a drug in ointment or cream format that contains acyclovir. To achieve the fastest effect, apply the product throughout the day with an interval of 3-4 hours. Complete relief from herpes occurs within 6-7 days of regular use of Zovirax, and swelling disappears after 24 hours.

If you notice the very first symptoms of herpes, then Panavir-gel can help avoid swelling altogether. The drug is based on organic raw materials extracted from potato shoots. Apply the gel to the affected areas in a thin layer up to 5 times a day. The main advantage of Panavir is the lack of addiction to the components of its composition.

Bepanten wound healing ointment is used as an additional remedy aimed at relieving the symptoms of herpetic infection. You need to apply the product 1-2 times a day in a thin layer, the swelling goes away after 1-2 days. The drug is approved for use by pregnant and lactating women.

Complex therapy, pain relief

A patient suffering from a neuralgic disorder must be treated with painkillers. Doctors do not recommend enduring pain steadfastly - this can provoke an increased reaction and the development of a chronic syndrome.

Painkillers should be taken until the discomfort disappears. To relieve the syndrome, the following groups of drugs are prescribed:

NPS – “Ketorolac”, the drug “Aspirin”, the drug “Ketorolac”, “Ibuprofen”.
Antidepressants (tricyclic) - Clomipramine, medication Imizin.
Anticonvulsant medications - Pregabalin or Gabapentin.
Blockades using novocaine, electrical stimulation of injured nerves.
Potent analgesics that can reduce the intensity of the syndrome are Tramadol.
Local medications that contain capsaicin - “Mataren Plus” ointment.

NPS are used at the height of the disease. To alleviate the painful syndrome, a neurologist may prescribe:

"Nimesulide", simple "Aspirin";
"Ibuprofen" or "Desketoprofen";
"Ketoprofen".

NPS allow you to numb the problem area and relieve inflammation during the period when neuralgia begins to progress. The drugs are taken orally in the form of a suspension, capsules or syrup. To relieve herpetic syndrome, topical agents with hot pepper extract are prescribed along with medications of this group. Lidocaine-based gel provides effective pain relief.

After recovery, postherpetic neuralgia is treated with novocaine blockades, drugs of the NPS group, using other methods at the discretion of the doctor and taking into account the individual characteristics of the body.

Swelling due to herpes

Causes

The main reasons that provoke an exacerbation of the disease are:

contact with a person with an active phase of the disease;
significant hypothermia;
severe stress;
lack of vitamins and nutrients in the body;
overwork and heavy loads;
colds or other viral, bacterial diseases.

Symptoms and manifestations

Different forms of the virus have different types of external symptoms, but the most common are:

with manifestations on the genitals;
with manifestations on the skin of the face, mucous membranes and swelling on the lip.

The bubbles merge with each other, affecting more and more tissue.

Associated symptoms are itching, tingling, burning and pain. Redness and swelling are observed in the affected area of the skin. When the lip is severely swollen, painful blisters soon appear. Such elements filled with liquid can be single or multiple, prone to fusion. They merge, and the tissue around them swells even more. As they develop, the blisters burst and change into ulcers or erosions. Lips with herpes become covered with a hard, dark crust that can crack and bleed.

Herpes - what causes it?

The risk of contracting an infection arises from a very early age, because there are a huge number of adults around a small child, most of whom are carriers of herpes. Infection can also occur in the womb of an infected mother.

So, what can cause herpes on the lips? Children (and adults) often become infected through kissing, as well as through sharing utensils. If you are near a person with herpes who coughs or sneezes, there is a high risk of infection through airborne droplets. In addition, the virus is transmitted sexually (primarily this concerns HSV-2). People who receive blood transfusions are also at risk.

Fortunately, most people infected with the herpes virus (about 80%) have an inactive form of the infection. However, there are factors that provoke a relapse - then the “sleeping” virus begins to actively multiply. So, some people regularly suffer from sores on their lips - the hated “cold” can appear 5-10 times a year. The cause of recurrence of the disease may be:

diseases – endocrine, viral and bacterial;
hypothermia;
stress;
exhaustion of the body;
overwork;
injuries;
metabolic disorders.

In women, another provoking factor is menstruation.

What to do for warning?

The best preventative measures to prevent this disease and its manifestations will be regular measures to strengthen the immune system. These include:

Hardening. Dousing with ice water, Russian bath and sauna with herbal teas, walking barefoot on the grass in the summer, contrast shower.
Autohemotherapy. A method in which blood is taken from a vein and injected into the buttock according to a special scheme. First, increase the dose and then gradually decrease it.
The use of well-known strengthening folk remedies: ginseng, echinacea, licorice root, rose hips, herbal teas.

Possible complications

The herpes virus should not be perceived as an unpleasant but harmless “sore.” This is a rather insidious disease that poses a particular danger to pregnant women, infants and people with weakened immune systems (patients with cancer, people with HIV and AIDS).

The virus is not limited to superficial tissues - it easily penetrates into internal ones. The main targets of herpes are the mucous membranes, skin, eyes (conjunctivitis can also be a consequence of herpes), as well as the central nervous system and brain. Lymph nodes and internal organs can be affected by the virus. Due to the fault of the pathogenic microorganism, the functioning of the liver, lungs, intestines and kidneys can be disrupted.

The consequences of herpes can be stomatitis, infertility, miscarriage, congenital deformities in children, encephalitis, inflammation in the joints, prostatitis, benign and malignant tumors. Scientists, based on research, associate the development of multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease with herpes.

If a person’s immune system is weakened, other infections, both viral and bacterial, can “join” herpes, and this, in turn, puts an increased burden on the heart.

Acyclovir-based drugs

Acyclovir and derivatives of this drug (Zovirax, Virolex and others) are used in the treatment of all forms of herpes, including herpes zoster. The medicine affects only the virus, introducing itself into the DNA structure of the pathogen and preventing the spread of infection to healthy tissue. A drug with this effect is available in the form of tablets and ointments.

It is recommended to use Acyclovir when the pathology manifests itself in the form of itching and burning. Due to the fact that the drug suppresses the activity of the virus, the swelling quickly subsides.

"Acyclovir" in tablet form is used in severe cases when the disease becomes generalized. In case of local damage, ointments based on this substance are prescribed. Patients with immunodeficiency should consult a doctor before use. Frequent treatment of affected areas of the face reduces the effectiveness of Acyclovir.

What to do for warning?

The best preventative measures to prevent this disease and its manifestations will be regular measures to strengthen the immune system. These include:

Hardening. Dousing with ice water, Russian bath and sauna with herbal teas, walking barefoot on the grass in the summer, contrast shower.
Autohemotherapy. A method in which blood is taken from a vein and injected into the buttock according to a special scheme. First, increase the dose and then gradually decrease it.
The use of well-known strengthening folk remedies: ginseng, echinacea, licorice root, rose hips, herbal teas.

How to treat swelling?

When a person develops herpes, there are different ways to remove swelling from the lip. The use of ointments and creams based on acyclovir can help stop the process of relapse of the disease, bring you closer to a speedy recovery and get rid of lip swelling.

The composition contains zinc, l-lysine, hydroxytolene. These medications can quickly heal ulcers and blisters and reduce itching.

These drugs contain components that destroy the manifestations of herpes, relieve pain and heal. Use at least 5 times a day for a week. The ointment should be applied regularly until the blisters disappear completely and then used for another 2 days.

Your doctor may prescribe the drug valacyclovir, in tablet form. If you take 2 tablets of valacyclovir in the morning and evening, you will notice that the affected area heals quickly, and the symptoms of a cold and lip swelling are blocked.

If the affected area is small and does not cause severe pain, you can use antiviral ointments such as Herpevir, Zovirax. They will help the wounds heal quickly.

At the first symptoms of herpes, you should change your diet. It is not recommended to eat fatty and salty foods, drink beer, chocolate, peanuts, as these products favor the development of herpes infection. Also, you should not kiss during the period of illness, avoid kissing children. In childhood, the body is more susceptible to infection.

When the occurrence of herpes occurs very often, you should visit a doctor. This course of the disease may be due to problems in the lymphatic system.

Traditional methods

It is very rare to meet a patient with the disease herpes on the lip at a doctor’s appointment. Often people resort to self-medication, relying on traditional methods.

A universal folk remedy is garlic. It helps eliminate swelling and relieves symptoms. It is best to use it at the initial stage of development, when you feel a tingling, burning sensation on your lips.

Therefore, lubricate the swelling with garlic juice. Onions are also excellent for removing swelling; pieces of it are applied to the affected area.

Aloe juice is an excellent antibiotic. As soon as the first signs of the disease appear, you need to squeeze the juice out of the leaf. Take 1 teaspoon daily 2-3 times a day.

If the lip is very swollen, a piece of ice wrapped in a scarf can help and alleviate the patient’s condition. It must be applied to the inflamed area. By doing this procedure, the swelling will go away and the itching will decrease. In this case, taking medications is mandatory. If herpes appears on the lip, you should immediately replace your toothbrush, also after the disease has passed.

Using Kalanchoe juice will dry out the formation on the lip, and the wound will heal quickly. The plant contains substances that can suppress the virus in a short time.

You can do a procedure to get rid of colds using black tea. You should brew the tea, then lower the spoon into the hot tea leaves and hold it there for 2 seconds. Apply to the affected area. To get rid of the sore, perform manipulations at least 5 times a day.

Fir oil will also help remove the infection. The oil has an analgesic and restorative effect in the fight against wounds. Apply to the affected area every 2 hours throughout the day.

You can get rid of the disease with the help of soda. You need to prepare a mushy paste by adding a little water. Apply the paste every 20-30 minutes without interruption. After 6 hours, the result will be noticeable, the herpes will begin to go away. Apply the paste for at least 2 days.

The occurrence of an infection on the lip signals a strengthening of the immune system. Having appeared once, the virus remains in the body forever and with each weakening of the immune system it constantly manifests itself.

Herpes is a virus

The source of the disease is the so-called herpes viruses. These are DNA-containing microorganisms that are causative agents of various types of infections.

The initial entry of the virus into the body usually occurs through the mucous membranes (although entry through damaged skin is not excluded). Having overcome tissue barriers, harmful microorganisms enter the blood and lymph and spread throughout the body. They are able to penetrate the cells of internal organs and nerve endings. The peculiarity and danger of herpes is that it is genetically introduced into the nucleus of nerve cells, after which it remains in the body forever.

Many people do not even realize that they are carriers of the virus, since the pathology in most cases is asymptomatic, not showing itself in any way (this is called a latent state).

The human immune system is capable of suppressing the development of the virus, but if it is weakened, the infection “awakens.”

Herpes Virus

How to treat swelling?

The composition contains zinc, l-lysine, hydroxytolene. These medications can quickly heal ulcers and blisters and reduce itching.

If the affected area is small and does not cause severe pain, you can use antiviral ointments such as Herpevir, Zovirax. They will help the wounds heal quickly.

When the occurrence of herpes occurs very often, you should visit a doctor. This course of the disease may be due to problems in the lymphatic system.

Traditional methods

It is very rare to meet a patient with the disease herpes on the lip at a doctor’s appointment. Often people resort to self-medication, relying on traditional methods.

Therefore, lubricate the swelling with garlic juice. Onions are also excellent for removing swelling; pieces of it are applied to the affected area.

Aloe juice is an excellent antibiotic. As soon as the first signs of the disease appear, you need to squeeze the juice out of the leaf. Take 1 teaspoon daily 2-3 times a day.

Using Kalanchoe juice will dry out the formation on the lip, and the wound will heal quickly. The plant contains substances that can suppress the virus in a short time.

Fir oil will also help remove the infection. The oil has an analgesic and restorative effect in the fight against wounds. Apply to the affected area every 2 hours throughout the day.

What measures to take when your lip is swollen?

The most correct advice is to consult a specialist. No matter how superficial and insignificant such a problem as a suddenly swollen lip may seem, its origin can be very dangerous to health - this is the spread of infection in the body and frequent relapses, suppuration and ulceration of the damaged area, the attachment and spread of infectious flora, which only aggravates the course of the pathology .

If your lip is swollen due to a bruise

The most obvious and completely removable cause of lip swelling. It usually happens in a short time after injury and may be accompanied by damage to the integrity of the skin and mucous membranes. If timely treatment of the defect is not undertaken, it can be aggravated by inflammation, infectious damage, and suppuration.

Compresses must be applied to the injury site. Warm or hot. You can start with any choice, and if the first is ineffective, give preference to the second. A cold compress slows down blood flow to the injured area. For this, it is enough to wrap a few ice cubes in a cloth and apply it not so much to the lip and tumor itself, but to the skin nearby. A piece of cloth soaked in hot water can be an alternative, and again, not on the lip, but on the skin next to it, for 15-20 minutes.

If a wound has formed on the lip after a bruise, it is recommended to treat it with hydrogen peroxide and an agent that stops bleeding and promotes healing. It is recommended to use the antiseptics Miramistin or Chlorhexidine, healing ointments Actovegin and Solcoseryl. A “homemade” alternative to pharmaceuticals can be lanolin, olive or sea buckthorn oil.

However, please note that the skin on the lips is very thin and delicate, and deep wounds are difficult to heal. If the lip is so broken that the contour of the lips is lost, their shape changes significantly, rush to the doctor, otherwise healing may occur soon (at best), but the lips will lose their attractive appearance.

If your lip is swollen due to an infectious disease

The lip may become swollen due to a viral or bacterial infection. Moreover, the infection can be localized either directly in the oral cavity or on the lip (stomatitis, herpes), or throughout the body (ARVI).

In this case, antiseptic drugs will demonstrate effectiveness, the use of which is not recommended to delay. They quickly stop the infection and prevent it from spreading and getting worse. When purchasing a drug, it is important to familiarize yourself with the indications for its use and contraindications, which may result in side effects.

Popular antiseptics for the treatment of infectious diseases of the oral cavity are drugs such as Orasept, Chlorophyllipt, Bioparox. They have bactericidal, antiseptic, and analgesic effects. It is sprays and liquids that are easier to use on a swollen lip, rather than tablet or gel-like medications. It is advisable to moisten a cotton pad in the medicine and apply it to the damaged area of the lip.

If the lip is swollen due to inflammatory processes

The inflammatory process in a swollen lip is usually accompanied by the formation of a certain substance inside - it can be a clear liquid, pus, or any other discharge that is concentrated inside or released outside. This is usually accompanied by bad breath, pain, and often visible damage to the mucosa.

This poses a greater health hazard than it may seem. Since unprofessional removal of secretions is fraught with infection, and measures aimed at resolving the tumor do not always eliminate the true cause of inflammation, and subsequently it can appear again either in the area of the lips or in another area of the face.

It is important to establish the cause of the inflammatory process. Typically it is any of the following:

swipe,
cut or rupture of soft tissues,
presence of an open wound,
squeezing pimples.

In the first hours of the development of inflammation, it is necessary to respond with measures available to any average person - this is treating the damaged area with hydrogen peroxide. Another quick response measure could be treating the swelling with iodine solution (it is recommended to dilute it 1:1 with plain water). If you are already experiencing excessive dryness of the mucous membrane (and iodine dries out the treated area), it is enough to drink ordinary still water in small portions, the saturation of which will also moisturize the mucous membrane.

If you feel that you are not getting better, the pain and swelling are not decreasing, you should urgently contact a medical facility. Failure to contact a specialist in a timely manner can lead to the accumulation of pus in the lip, which requires surgical removal.

If your lip is swollen due to herpes

When your lip is swollen, you can suspect herpes only if it is a disease characteristic of the body. The formation of herpetic blisters on the lips is usually caused by swelling and soreness of the lips. Within 24 hours, such a swelling forms into a characteristic blister containing a translucent liquid inside.

Under no circumstances should you press or burst the resulting bubble, and the use of specific agents is most effective when starting at the tumor stage, which allows you to speed up the healing process. Popular antiherpetic drugs include Zovirax, Herpevir, Acyclovir. In their formula they contain components that exclusively destroy the manifestations of the herpes virus and have an analgesic and healing effect. They need to be applied regularly and systematically, not only until the main symptoms subside, but also until the blisters completely disappear and for another 1-2 days after that.

If the drugs of this group are powerless and within a few days the symptoms do not subside, but also worsen, the cause is probably not herpes, and therefore it is necessary to seek help from a specialist and not delay treatment that is adequate to the specific case.

If the lip is swollen due to purulent processes in the oral cavity

A swollen lip can be a symptom of stomatitis, gingivitis, periostitis (commonly called gumboil). This type of origin of swelling is perhaps the most dangerous, since purulent processes are certainly accompanied by inflammation, hyperthermia, deterioration in general health and is fraught with the spread of not only the infection, but also the pus containing it deep into the body.

Infectious and inflammatory diseases of the oral mucosa, jaw, periosteum can be caused by any traumatic lesion of the mucous membrane, improper treatment of dental diseases (including wearing braces, dentures, etc.), insufficient antiseptic treatment of the oral cavity during them or poor hygiene in general. Hypothermia, weakened immune system and stress are of secondary importance. If the reason for the appearance of a tumor lies precisely in diseases of the oral cavity, this does not mean that the danger is local in nature, inflammation can either occur from within the body or spread further, for example, through the bloodstream, which means that swelling on the lip can be eliminated without professional help, and the cause that caused it is unlikely to succeed. It is wise to consult your dentist for specific recommendations.

If your lip is swollen due to allergies

To come to this conclusion, it is necessary to analyze the list of recently consumed food products, cosmetics, household chemicals; perhaps the flowering season begins or an allergy develops to dust or animal dander.

It is typical that the lip is unlikely to become swollen due to inhalation of an allergen (which reduces the likelihood of dust and fur being involved in the swelling); the local action of the allergen is more likely, which means the use of cosmetics and food products, when the lips are easily exposed.

If the lip is truly swollen due to an allergic reaction, then the swelling will also be accompanied by slight numbness, redness, dryness and flaking of the lips.

If your lip is swollen due to external factors

These usually include frostbite or, conversely, overheating and chapping. Damage of this kind is characterized by excessive dryness of the lips, redness and peeling of their surface and, naturally, in the recent past the victim should recall the presence of a certain negative impact. Such an effect does not entail any particular danger, however, it would be useful to treat the lips with a moisturizing cream or cosmetic balm, or special restorative lip masks, which can be prepared at home.

If your lip is swollen due to piercing, tattooing, or plastic surgery

Performing piercings, tattoos in the lip area, or changing their shape through plastic surgery exposes a person to an increased risk of developing swelling and other unpleasant symptoms in the lip area. Swelling can develop either immediately after manipulation or after some time.

It is recommended to carefully examine the punctures or tattoos; it is better to entrust this to a cosmetologist or the person who did them. Thus, the likelihood of developing an inflammatory or purulent process in this area is excluded or confirmed. When piercing, it is very important to check the inside of the piercing and be sure that there are no foreign bodies in it. The jewelry itself can also fit into an extended puncture and cause discomfort and pain to the lip.

Persons with piercings, tattoos, or lip surgery still have the possibility of being exposed to the main risks listed above of the formation of a swelling on the lip.

If your child's lip is swollen

This situation is complicated primarily by the fact that the baby cannot always explain his feelings, describe the events of the last days that could lead to a tumor, especially when it comes to an infant.

During breastfeeding, babies may experience pain on the lips, and parents may notice swelling here due to improper feeding. Incorrect latching of the baby to the breast can cause the formation of calluses in the mouth, and therefore the baby’s discomfort during feeding should be a reason to reconsider the tactics.

It is necessary to take into account that children develop stomatitis more often than adults, and therefore the oral cavity must be examined and, having taken the first measures to treat stomatitis, still contact a pediatric dentist.

Children are more susceptible to allergic reactions than adults, their body is more sensitive to external irritants, children are more susceptible to respiratory viral and bacterial infectious attacks, and therefore, excluding self-medication, it is necessary to contact a specialist for specialized help.

Another reason for a swollen lip in a baby is a simple bruise. It must be dealt with in the same way as in an adult, with the exception of the use of certain pharmaceutical drugs that are not recommended for children.

How to relieve swelling with herpes

Currently, there are 2 types of this disease:

A sign of the disease is swelling, which appears on the lips. This type of disease is the most common.
Symptoms appear on the genitals.

Let's consider the first type of disease. Shortly before the appearance of swelling on the lips, where the rash should appear, you may feel slight pain, itching, and tingling.

If you look in the mirror, you can notice redness of the skin in this area. If you do not miss these symptoms, it is possible to prevent the appearance of swelling and rash on the lips.

For this purpose, medications that include acyclovir are used. For itchy skin, the patient should take 1 tablet of paracetamol or aspirin. Doctors consider this the first stage of this disease, when the patient is not yet a carrier of the virus and cannot infect others. At the second stage of the disease, a watery blister appears on the lips, during which the patient experiences pain. This rash appears as a watery blister and gradually increases in size. At this stage, swelling of the lips appears at the site of the rash.

How to relieve swelling? You can get rid of swelling with fir oil. Lubricate the bubble that appears with this product every 2 hours. At the third stage of the disease, the watery blister breaks and the colorless liquid filling it flows out.

At the fourth stage of the disease, a scab forms at the site of the ruptured vesicle.

Types of herpes virus infections

More than 100 representatives of the herpetic family of viruses are known. However, most often a person is affected by 8 of them. Let us consider in detail the features and symptoms of the most common infections.

Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2

The herpes virus type 1 causes blistering rashes on the mucous membranes of the lips and nose. As a rule, infection occurs in childhood. By the age of 5-7 years, more than 50% of children are carriers of the infection. Infection often occurs from sick parents: through kisses, household items.

The incubation period lasts from 2 days to 2 weeks. In addition to the characteristic rashes, the infection may be accompanied by elevated body temperature and enlarged local lymph nodes. After damaging the mucous membranes, the virus reaches the trigeminal nerve, where it can remain latent for a long time.

Herpes simplex virus type 2, or genital herpes, is primarily transmitted through sexual contact. In Russia, the average is 20% among the adult population. In European countries, the incidence rate is even higher. The risk group includes people who have promiscuous sex. Most infections occur during puberty, at the beginning of active sexual life.

Symptoms of the virus include:

blistering rashes on the genitals;
enlargement of regional lymph nodes;
painful urination;
itching in the groin area;
elevated body temperature.

The disease can occur with frequent relapses (6-12 times a year or more).

Herpes virus type 3

This virus can cause two diseases: chickenpox and herpes zoster. As a rule, chickenpox occurs in childhood and is accompanied by characteristic symptoms:

vesicular rash that lasts about 10 days;
high body temperature, fever;
headache;
itching of the skin;
symptoms of body intoxication.

Chickenpox in adults occurs rarely and can occur in a more severe form: with damage to the eyes and nervous system. In such a situation, a person requires urgent hospitalization. After the disease, the virus remains in the body for life, remaining latent in the nerve ganglia.

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the disease in children and adults who did not have chickenpox in childhood and were not vaccinated against it. Vaccination is given to children from one year of age. The immunobiological drug is administered twice with an interval of 6 weeks. Vaccination is also carried out as an emergency measure in the first three days after a person comes into contact with a patient with chickenpox.

Typically, herpes zoster occurs in people over 65 years of age. The disease is severe and is accompanied by severe symptoms:

severe pain;
sleep disturbance;
high temperature;
vesicular rashes that appear along the nerve endings.

The disease has a rather difficult rehabilitation period. Even after the rash disappears, a person may remain sore for a long time in those areas that were affected by the infection. In all civilized countries of the world, elderly people are vaccinated to prevent herpes zoster.

Epstein–Barr virus

Herpes virus type 4 or Epstein-Barr virus affects the human body in a complex manner, provoking various and sometimes unrelated pathologies. The virus can cause infectious mononucleosis, lymphoma, hepatitis, affect the nervous and immune systems, and the hematopoietic apparatus.

In the human population, infection with the Epstein-Barr virus reaches 75% or higher. Children over two years of age and adults under 30 years of age are at risk. Children under one year of age rarely get sick due to passive immunity received from the mother.

The symptoms of the disease are many-sided and can have various manifestations: from mild discomfort to severe health problems. The most common symptoms of the disease are:

high temperature, fever;
sore throat, muscles;
enlarged lymph nodes, liver, spleen;
the appearance of rashes, peeling, inflammation, bruising on the skin;
photophobia;
nausea.

It is characteristic that the use of antibiotics does not affect the duration of fever.

Herpes virus type 5

Cytomegalovirus infection, caused by herpes virus type 5, occurs in both children and adults. It can occur as a mononucleosis, with high fever, intoxication, purulent sore throat, and damage to the salivary glands. In addition, the infection may be asymptomatic.

There are also congenital forms of the disease, which often lead to the development of hearing loss, microcephaly in the child, cause enlargement of the liver and spleen, and hematological disorders.

Herpes viruses type 6 and 7

The range of diseases caused by these viruses is diverse. Often infections occur in the form of a sudden exanthema. Hepatitis virus type 6 can provoke chronic fatigue syndrome and infectious mononucleosis. It is believed that a consequence of viruses can be a lymphoproliferative process (the formation of tumors of the lymphatic system).

As a rule, sudden exanthema affects children under two years of age. The disease occurs with high fever and intoxication of the body. Febrile convulsions may occur and a rash appears, which goes away on its own after a few days.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is accompanied by rapid fatigue and decreased performance. Patients are concerned about low-grade fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and the appearance of catarrhal manifestations in the pharynx.

How to relieve swelling with herpes?

If your lip is swollen from herpes and causes discomfort, it is important to take measures to eliminate the negative symptoms. To do this, you can use folk remedies to prevent severe swelling and prevent further spread of herpes

If you do not fight herpes in the early stages, this can lead to a weakening of the body, general malaise, increased body temperature and complications of the condition.

What folk remedies are there?

Garlic. Cut the clove and wipe the desired area. This product works as an antiseptic and actively kills the virus in the first stage.
Black tea. High-quality black tea is brewed in boiled water and compresses are applied 6-7 times a day. This will help clean up the leak quickly.
Essential oils. Coniferous oils and typical antiseptic oils (tea tree, chamomile, lavender) will be excellent antiviral agents. A couple of drops of essential oil should be mixed with any base oil (grape seeds, almonds, etc.) so that the disease goes away faster.
Baking soda. It is diluted to the consistency of thick sour cream and applied 3-4 times a day if the lip is very swollen.
Natural antibiotics - juices of aloe, Kalanchoe, celandine. Lubricate areas with rashes. Aloe juice can be taken orally at the same time for enhanced treatment of colds on the lips.
Herbal tinctures. Tinctures of calendula, St. John's wort, plantain, and string have a high effect in the treatment of herpes.
Propolis tincture. This remedy is very effective in the treatment of many diseases, including herpes and helps relieve swelling. It cauterizes the rash and kills the virus.

Medicines

The drug relieves swelling.

There are a number of medications based on acyclovir. They have antiviral, wound healing and regenerating effects, and effectively relieve swelling. It comes in the form of an ointment or gel, applied to the affected areas of the skin several times a day (4-5 times). You can choose "Acyclovir", "Zovirax", "Panavir". Pharmacy medications will help remove the symptoms of the virus in a short period of time and avoid further spread.

Is there any prevention against herpes?

To resist the virus, you need a strong immune system. Therefore, those who suffer from frequent colds on the lips need to pay attention to their immune system. Take care of a healthy, balanced diet, do not forget about sports, maintain a normal daily schedule (first of all, ensure that you get adequate sleep) and try to get rid of bad habits (smoking, etc.).

It is important to practice basic hygiene, including regular hand washing. It is recommended to use personal hygiene products. During infectious epidemics, it is advisable to avoid staying in crowded places if possible.

To reduce the risk of genital herpes, you should use condoms.

Swelling due to herpes

Causes

The main reasons that provoke an exacerbation of the disease are:

contact with a person with an active phase of the disease;
significant hypothermia;
severe stress;
lack of vitamins and nutrients in the body;
overwork and heavy loads;
colds or other viral, bacterial diseases.

Symptoms and manifestations

Different forms of the virus have different types of external symptoms, but the most common are:

with manifestations on the genitals;
with manifestations on the skin of the face, mucous membranes and swelling on the lip.

The bubbles merge with each other, affecting more and more tissue.

Diagnosis of the disease

Herpetic blisters look so characteristic that they cannot be confused with the morphological signs of other diseases - neither with an abscess, nor with specific ulcerations, nor with an allergic rash. In the vast majority of cases, the diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical manifestations.

A blood test for antibodies to the herpes simplex virus is an indirect method of identifying the pathogen in the body. It can be used if the body’s reactivity (the intensity of the response to external harmful agents) is low, and the infiltrate does not develop into characteristic blisters, which raises the question among clinicians: is it herpes?

Herpes simplex, which is manifested purely by a rash on the face, should be distinguished from herpes type 6, which is characterized not only by a rash, but also by a sharp increase in temperature.

Herpes facial swelling

(Greek herpes - lichen, from herpo - crawling, stretching)

Herpes

- a group of viral diseases characterized by a rash of grouped blisters and manifested as herpes infection and herpes zoster.

The typical form of herpes simplex of the skin is characterized by the formation of grouped papules on edematous-hyperemic skin, turning into vesicles with serous contents. The number of elements varies from single to several dozen. The size of the vesicles is from 1 to 4 mm; in rare cases, when they merge, multi-chamber bubbles are formed. After a few days, the contents of the vesicles become cloudy and when they are opened, erosions form, which within 3-5 days are covered with yellow-brown crusts, under which epithelization occurs. Regional lymphadenitis may be observed 3-5 days from the onset of the disease. In addition to local manifestations, especially in children, with skin herpes there may be signs of general intoxication: general weakness, increased body temperature, headache, etc. After 6-9 days from the onset of the disease, the crusts fall off, and gradually disappearing pigmentation remains in their place. In typical cases, the entire process lasts 1-2 weeks.

Abortive form of herpes

characterized by limitation of the inflammatory process by the development of erythema and edema without the formation of vesicles. This form of infection includes cases of the appearance of subjective sensations characteristic of herpes in places where it is usually localized in the form of pain and burning, but without the appearance of a rash.

Edema form of herpes

differs from typical severe swelling of the subcutaneous tissue and hyperemia of the skin (usually on the scrotum, lips, eyelids), vesicles may be completely absent.

Hemorrhagic form of herpes

characterized by hemorrhagic vesicular contents instead of serous ones, often followed by the development of ulcerations.

Ulcerative-necrotic form of herpes

develops with severe immune deficiency. Ulcers form on the skin, extensive ulcerative surfaces with a necrotic bottom and serous-hemorrhagic or purulent discharge, sometimes covered with crusts. The reverse development of the pathological process with the rejection of crusts, epithelization and scarring of ulcers occurs very slowly.

Symptoms of genital herpes include burning or tingling in the genital area and the appearance of painful rashes on them that turn into superficial sores.

At the first exacerbation of herpes:

swollen lymph nodes;

Complications of genital herpes

Complications of genital herpes include dryness and the formation of painful bleeding cracks on the mucous membranes of the external genitalia, which occurs due to mechanical stress (for example, during sexual intercourse).

A special place among other complications is occupied by pain syndrome caused by specific herpetic neuralgia of the pelvic nerve plexus. In this case, women complain of periodically occurring nagging pain in the lower abdomen, in the area of the projection of the ovaries, radiating to the lumbar region and rectum, pain in the perineum. Pain with recurrent herpes can occur regardless of the presence of skin rashes, which greatly complicates diagnosis. Recurrent genital herpes, disrupting the normal sex life of patients, often causes neuropsychiatric disorders and leads to conflicts in the family.

Genital herpes in some women causes miscarriage and infertility.

Swelling due to herpes

Causes

The main reasons that provoke an exacerbation of the disease are:

contact with a person with an active phase of the disease;
significant hypothermia;
severe stress;
lack of vitamins and nutrients in the body;
overwork and heavy loads;
colds or other viral, bacterial diseases.

Symptoms and manifestations

Different forms of the virus have different types of external symptoms, but the most common are:

with manifestations on the genitals;
with manifestations on the skin of the face, mucous membranes and swelling on the lip.

The bubbles merge with each other, affecting more and more tissue.

Complications of herpes on the lips

With mild or moderate inflammation, it disappears on its own. However, in infants and young children, for whom this is a primary infection, the symptoms of herpes on the lips and its consequences can become dangerous. But essentially this is due to the general primary infection of the child’s body with herpesvirus type 1.

Generalized infection. External symptoms are mild, but the general condition of a small child’s body resembles sepsis. Foci of infection are localized in the internal organs (lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, brain), and can even lead to respiratory failure.

Transition to other organs and systems of the body. It is possible to transfer herpetic lesions to the skin, oral cavity, and eyes. In the visual system, inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva (keratoconjunctivitis), as well as the retina and choroid (chorioretinitis) is possible.

Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). The child has a high fever, severe lethargy, tense fontanel, convulsive seizures and coma are possible.

Reactivation of the virus (secondary infection) with symptoms of herpes on the lips can also lead to complications. Most often, the lesion spreads to the eyes - inflammation of the cornea (herpetic keratoconjunctivitis) with its clouding, scarring, visual impairment, even to the point of blindness.

An extremely dangerous complication is inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). In adults and older children, it can take an acute form, in which only three out of ten people survive without treatment.