Feeling desperate how long will this last

Thanks, I'll try and get some Epsom salts today. I have red patches and then some small pimples which are yellow. I have a general uncomfortable feeling but nothing else really. I do feel like there is more today than yesterday. I can't get to the doctors until pay day now which is another week 😟 I thought then medicine would help but it doesn't seem to have changed anything at all.

Yeah then go to your local drug store and get the store brand for Epsom salt and soak in it for even an hour if you'd like with warm water daily. Try to keep the area dry at all times so after the bath use a blow dryer - i prefer on cold - until dry... and goes for just washing it with warm soapy water. I'll use baby wipes to clean sometimes instead but I get a calming one (cucumber and green tea) works well for me... also ice packs. I sit on the couch in the mornings with my underwear on and my shorts and an Ice pack between the two. I do that until I feel the ice start to melt. All good home remedies if you can't get to the doctor

Thanks, I'll try today, how long will this last? I feel like I'm getting worse not better 😟

With first outbreaks, the meds appear to offer only limited relief. A lot depends on how soon you started taking the meds in relation to first symptoms. In any case, a first outbreak can last anywhere between 2-4 weeks, often with a second crop of lesions after the first week, but with symptoms generally improving during that time, especially after the first couple of weeks. Thankfully, recurrences are *much* milder and nothing like the first outbreak. Do you have HSV-1 or 2?

Hi, yes it seems as though I have a second crop come up after a week or so 😟. I haven't had a formal diagnosis yet. This all came about after the hemorroid surgery 17 days ago. It's the spots and now the itching/tingling I have. Spots are either red or some yellow and also on my thighs and vulva. The spots look like classic early stages. I can't get to a doctor for a week or so until pay day sadly so I have been trying to self treat. With no success. I don't have pain when I urninate or any problems there. I don't know if it's a first outbreak or a latent infection. I never had noticed this before. I have had cervicitus on Pap smears years ago and reading on here I hear herpes causes that so I just assumed they are connected.

You should really get the lesions swabbed and typed asap, as now is the best time to determine what it is. Go to an emergency ward or borrow money, if need be. The IgG test for herpes requires a wait of up to 3 months and can be confusing unless a high positive, plus it doesn't confirm location.

Thank you I will see what I can do but maybe couple of days. Is the treatment different depending on the type? Any suggestions to help with symptoms in the meantime would be much appreciated as they are just not changing from red or small spot/yellow in a couple of weeks. Many thanks

Initial treatment is the same, but what you can expect in terms of recurrences, risk factors, infectiousness, etc., differs by type. Since you weren't officially diagnosed, there's always a chance that it's not even herpes, in which case herpes treatments may not help or could even make it worse. If it is herpes, however, usually the meds are only taken for up to 10 days, so I would stop and just soak the area in an Epsom salt bath, maybe try applying diluted tea tree oil, and generally keep the area clean and dry. Topical lidocaine for local pain relief and acetaminophen or ibuprofen for general pain relief.

Thanks. Im wondering if I should take one more course because I've just read about lysine and arginine and interestingly enough every morning I eat a plain yoghurt adding fruit, a tablespoon of chia and flax seeds plus a handful or nuts (almonds cashews macadamia walnuts). I just discovered these can fuel the virus. I will stop now (sadly) and see if this helps too?

It's not clinically proven, in fact, so I would not necessarily change your diet, other than keeping it healthy, maybe popping a daily vitamin C supplement, etc. I never cut things from my diet since contracting herpes a year ago, and I've been fine, but of course each individual has their own triggers.

Interesting to hear thanks. Strangely enough I only just added the flax seed and chia to help with my fiber load after my operation and 3-4 days before this outbreak. In addition I added stool softeners too. I wonder if taking lysine will help? Thank you so much for replying as it's helping my stress levels.

The physical trauma of the procedure you had done is more likely the trigger than the change in your diet. That is, assuming it's even herpes. If the meds aren't having much impact, lysine supplements are unlikely to as well (all clinically unproven, not just aspects of diet, although there are many advocates regardless). And no problem, happy to help!

Yes I think he trauma had an impact. I just hope after two weeks to start seeing some improvements. It's getting me down. I will stop the tablets and see if any difference. Thanks