Herpes on the chin - causes and quick treatment

Primary infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 or its activation in the human body causes the appearance of blistering rashes on the mucous membranes and skin of the face: on the lips, in the nose, cheeks or chin.

Causes of herpes on the chin

photo of herpes on the chin
The chin is not a favorite place for herpes; much more often it appears in the area of the nasolabial triangle and on the genitals. There are eight possible modifications of HSV (herpes simplex virus).

If the rash appears on the chin, this indicates the presence of herpes simplex type 1. According to statistics, the virus is present in latent form in more than 90% of the entire population. Exacerbations occur at the time of weakening of the immune system.

If bubbles appear near or on the mucous surface, then, most likely, timely therapy will be highly effective.

Obviously, the disease spoils the appearance of the face, but many do not even think that this can be an alarm bell for the overall health of the body.

To protect yourself, you need to know about the provoking factors that can cause the manifestations of herpes:

ARVI, cold;
stress, depression;
hypothermia;
dysbacteriosis;
hormonal disorders;
period before menstruation;
lack of vitamins;
concomitant diseases;
surgical interventions;
long-term use of medications;
abuse of alcohol and tobacco products;

Great psychological stress is one of the main reasons for decreased immunity. Strong negative emotions play an important role in the development of herpes infection.

Do not underestimate such a factor as hypothermia, because the body’s resistance drops sharply and it is easier for infections to destroy protective barriers.

The body tries to adjust thermoregulation, while forgetting about the virus that needs to be suppressed.

Why do rashes appear?

The main cause of herpes on the chin is the introduction of a virus like HSV1 (herpes simplex virus). The microorganism penetrates the nerve cells, where its replication (reproduction) occurs.

Infection is lifelong. According to WHO statistics, more than 67% of the world's population is infected.

The route of transmission is contact and household, the mechanism is oral, from person to person. The disease is transmitted during the acute phase of infection in the presence of pronounced symptoms - blisters with liquid. Rarely does infection occur in the absence of objective signs.

Can there be herpes on the chin?

The virus enters the human bloodstream through the mucous surface or wounds on the skin. The skin is a closed gate for viruses, but due to mechanical injuries, the gate can open and allow various infections to enter.

Herpes on the beard can develop even with careless shaving. In this case, you should not touch the affected area with your hands.

In addition to ordinary cells, the virus infects the processes of nerve endings. In response to this, the immune system produces immunoglobulins, which resist the disease.

Cells exposed to the virus begin to break down and release a number of substances that irritate the nerve endings. This explains the presence of itching and pain in the area of the blisters.

Principles of therapy

Treatment of rashes on the chin requires longer therapy, since most medications are effective at the prodromal phase, and in this case it is almost impossible to determine its presence. Headache, toothache, pain in the affected area require the use of analgesics - these are Analgin, Ketalong, Ketanov. Antipyretics are used if the temperature rises above +38 ° C.

As you know, it is impossible to get to the pathogen itself in order to completely destroy it, but taking antiviral drugs can reduce the activity of herpetic virions. Bubbles filled with liquid are treated with drying disinfectants (oxolinic or zinc ointment). Folk remedies to combat the disease and vitamin preparations are also used.

Symptoms of the disease

photo of herpes on the beard
Symptoms of herpes on the lips and chin have a number of differences, although they are caused by the same type of virus. This phenomenon is possible due to the fact that the skin of the chin is rougher than on other parts of the face. The disease makes itself felt by redness and groups of blisters on the skin.

The process may be accompanied by a feeling of itching. The size of the rash is highly individual and largely depends on the patient’s immune system. The rash can spread to other areas of the face and merge with each other, so you should follow the rules of hygiene and not touch the vesicles with your hands.

The liquid inside the bubbles gradually changes color to a lighter color. Typically, ripening lasts up to 4 days, after which the vesicles open and small ulcers appear in their place.

Painful areas become covered with crust quite quickly. If the disease is not accompanied by a secondary infection, then there should be no scars on the chin.

Severe cases of this disease can manifest themselves:

Herpetic lesions can be confused with ordinary pimples; in order to differentiate the disease, you need to consult a specialist. It is the doctor who will prescribe how to treat herpes on the chin.

A doctor can make a diagnosis immediately after a visual examination, but there are situations when, to confirm the presence of the disease, it is necessary to undergo a series of examinations: cytological studies, serological methods, virological testing.

These procedures are used extremely rarely, for complicated forms and atypical course of herpes.

Diagnostics

Herpetic rashes on the chin should be diagnosed differentially: when all obvious symptoms are grouped at the first stage and compared with the suspected disease. With a small probability, a group of symptoms of a given disease is excluded until one group remains, in which all the symptoms of the sick person will indicate the disease.

In this case, it is necessary to distinguish herpetic manifestations from ordinary acne. There are four main methods for diagnosing herpes simplex:

Serological.
Biological.
Virological.
Cytological.

The specialist conducts a visual examination of the patient, prescribes a medical history, prescribes a number of the above examinations to confirm the diagnosis and prescribes appropriate treatment.

How to quickly cure herpes on the chin?

Important!
Do not self-medicate without first consulting your doctor.

Quick treatment of herpes on the chin involves the combined use of local ointments and medications in the form of tablets or injections.

Many people prefer ointments and gels, as they do not have any effect on the liver. Thus, harmless zinc ointment for herpes on the chin gives good results.

Important!
All antiviral drugs affect liver cells. However, people with chronic herpes are forced to take such drugs constantly.
In this case, the liver should be examined every six months. Remember that prolonged and uncontrolled use of antiviral drugs can trigger the development of cirrhosis.

Treatment for herpes on the chin includes:

medications that prevent virus replication;
drugs to neutralize herpes;
medications that enhance immunity;

It is also possible to use antipyretics, but only when the temperature rises above 38°C.

Below is a list of medications that help in the fight against herpes:

It should be understood that it is impossible to completely cure herpes, you can only get rid of the symptoms. To reduce the number of relapses, the patient needs to take care of strengthening the immune system.

There are many vitamin complexes that can be found in any pharmacy. The composition includes zinc, calcium, B vitamins and vitamin C. To reduce pain and relieve itching, you can apply vitamin E to the area of the rash.

With the approval of a doctor, you can also resort to traditional medicine, which advises using in treatment:

Honey. Lubricate the affected area and apply it as an ointment.
Echinacea. Increases the body's immune response, brewed and taken several times a day for a week.
Tea tree oil. Has antibacterial properties.
Chamomile lotions. They can reduce itching and act as an antiseptic.

Folk remedies for treating herpes on the lips

Of course, there will be people who don’t want to go to the pharmacy one more time. And to speed up the process of getting rid of unpleasant rashes, they resort to folk remedies. I'll write some of them.

Toothpaste. At night, spread a fairly good layer of toothpaste on the ulcer. Do this with a Q-tip, not your hands. It is believed that this way the fever will dry out faster.
Tea tree oil. Apply a drop of oil to the cold sore several times a day. Disinfects well. Tea tree oil can also whiten teeth without damaging the enamel. How to do this, read this article
Garlic. You can rub garlic on a cold several times a day. You can make a paste of garlic and apply it to the affected area.
Propolis tincture, alcohol. These remedies are used to burn down the fever up to 7 times a day to dry it out. After this procedure, after some time, apply moisturizer to the sore spot.
Fir oil is considered a good effective way to combat herpes. Lubricate the wound with this oil every two hours, and also anoint your lips at night. If you get too carried away with this method, you may feel a burning sensation. If this happens, it is better to choose another remedy. You can use fir oil for two days.
Salt. The most common finely ground salt. “Apply” herpes several times a day. It is believed that salt helps to quickly get rid of the unpleasant phenomenon.
Before the rash appears, cedar resin 70% helps a lot. Soak a cotton pad with it and apply to the itchy area for 20 minutes. You can do it 3-4 times a day.
Black tea. Moisten a cotton pad with strong tea leaves and apply to the affected area. You need to do it 3-4 times a day.

To cure herpes in one day, it is necessary to take measures at the very first stage, before the rash. At the stage of tingling, itching and discomfort in the lips.

Preventive measures

A weak body is the main reason for the appearance of herpes. To protect yourself from this disease, you need to reconsider your lifestyle. To minimize the occurrence of relapses, experts advise:

Lead a healthy lifestyle. You should forget about alcohol and think about the gym.
Avoid stressful situations. Try to practice controlling your emotions; there is a lot of information on this topic on the Internet. Also, don't be overloaded at work.
Avoid tactile contact with people infected with herpes.
Don't get too cold. It is better to find out the weather forecast in advance before going outside.
Don't overheat in the sun. Ultraviolet rays can weaken the skin's protective barrier, making it easier for the virus to penetrate inside.
Promptly treat foci of infectious diseases.

Preventive actions

It is impossible to protect yourself from infection. Following simple preventive rules will help reduce the likelihood of infection and make it easier to transfer the disease.

Strictly observe all personal hygiene standards. Always wash your hands after visiting public places. If you have to come into contact with a person who has symptoms of herpes, wear a medical mask.
If there is an infected person in the family, provide him with a separate set of dishes and household items.
Avoid hypothermia and overheating.
Take all measures to support your immune system. Introduce more fruits, berries and vegetables into your menu. Be outdoors more often, play sports, visit the pool.
Take multivitamin complexes as recommended by your doctor.
Give up bad habits.
Regularly undergo medical examinations and promptly treat any identified problems.

The chin is an atypical place for herpes to appear. Only a specialist can accurately diagnose and distinguish rashes from manifestations of other diseases. Don’t waste time and contact the clinic at the first negative symptoms.

Features of the appearance of rashes in children

photo of herpes on the chin of a child
The herpes simplex virus affects not only adults, but also children. Although it manifests itself a little less frequently in children, the course of the disease is more complicated. Thus, in infants, herpes on the chin can lead to a malfunction of the nervous system and damage to internal organs.

Complications may occur in the form of inflammation of the iris and ciliary body of the eye. If herpes penetrates the child’s nervous system, it can trigger the development of meningitis and encephalopathy. HSV type 6 is present in children from birth and makes itself felt when the body’s immune defense decreases.

How to treat herpes on the chin of a child?

If you find herpes on a child's chin, then you can use sea buckthorn oil to reduce painful itching in the baby. Traditional medicine advises applying tea tree oil to affected areas of the skin. Drug treatment must be prescribed by a doctor.

It is also worth strengthening your immune system. You should add food containing B vitamins and vitamin C to your diet. Hardening and walking in the fresh air are an excellent way to prevent herpes.

Author: Potapov Maxim Aleksandrovich, infectious disease doctor.

Peculiarities

Inadequate treatment of herpes on the face and failure to comply with the rules of prevention can lead to frequent relapses of the disease and the appearance of complications in the form of neurological diseases, damage to the membranes of the brain, problems with the organs of hearing and vision, and facial paralysis. Cosmetic defects of untimely treatment can be scars, which will later have to be removed by grinding or peeling.

In adults

In adults whose immunity is strong enough to cope with the disease on their own, treatment is not difficult.

The virus poses a danger to pregnant women (especially in the 1st trimester) in case of primary infection, since the pathology often provokes unscheduled termination of pregnancy and infection of the fetus with herpesvirus.

The risk is reduced if the pathogen is already present in the woman’s body before conception.