Boost your immune system with a healthy diet and regular exercise to help prevent outbreaks.Minimize outbreak triggers, including stress and too much sun.Apply a cold compress to a painful cold sore.Soak in a sitz bath if you have painful genital sores.Here are some other things you can do to help ease symptoms:
OTC pain medication can help relieve pain from oral and genital herpes, and there are several topical OTC treatments available for cold sores. Your provider may prescribe a daily suppressive medication if you experience severe or frequent outbreaks. The goal of treatment is to prevent or shorten the duration of breakouts and reduce the risk of transmission.Īntiviral medications, such as valacyclovir (Valtrex) and acyclovir (Zovirax), help reduce the severity and frequency of oral and genital herpes symptoms. The type of HSV you have will determine which treatments you should use.
Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, home remedies, and lifestyle changes are used to treat the symptoms of HSV.
