Does Herpes Itch?

One of the common skin diseases that is caused by a virus is herpes. This virus can cause herpes inside mouth, throat and eye. It also causes herpes in the area around the genitals, upper thighs and buttocks in both men and women. Many times, it is very hard to notice a herpes infection, and it is commonly observed as a cold sore or fever blister around the mouth. This is because they are not sure whether it is a jock itch or herpes infection. Herpes is a very common type of STD in United States that is caused by Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2. This brings us to the question, does herpes itch or burn? Let's find the answer to this question in the following paragraphs.

Is Herpes Infection Painful?
Herpes infection is itchy and very painful. One experiences a burning sensation on their skin. It is very discomforting especially in case of genital herpes or type 2 herpes. The area feels hot to touch and becomes red in color, appearing like a heat rash with watery blisters.

How Long Does Herpes Itch?
The answer to how long does herpes itch is about 3 weeks. The itch may go away even sooner if your immune system is stronger and with the help of medications. The scabs will heal in a few days without any kind of scarring. However, once herpes gains entry into your body, it will forever remain there. Therefore, you may experience recurring herpes infections along with the itching and burning sensation.

How Does Herpes Spread?
Herpes is a highly contagious disease that can spread very fast. Herpes tends to spread by direct skin to skin contact like touching, kissing and sexual contact. The virus loves moist areas around the mouth, throat, vagina, penis, anus and eyes. Herpes is very contagious and therefore, can pass from person to another and from one body part to another. It can spread through open sores and even before you see any blisters on the skin. A woman with genital herpes can transfer the virus during childbirth to her baby.

Does Herpes Itch All the Time?
The answer to 'does herpes itch all the time' is No. Also, itching and burning is commonly observed in infection of type 2 virus and not type 1 virus. During primary herpes, that is, initial phase of infection, one may experience severe itching, burning and tingling near the genital area. One may even observe soreness in legs, groin and buttock area. Gradually, small bumps will appear on the area of infections that are often painful. These pimple like bumps develop blisters and open sores. These blisters, as they dry up, may cause itching and burning sensation.

What are the Symptoms of Herpes?
You must be wondering, why are we talking about the symptoms, when we are looking for answers related to does herpes itch and burn. The answer to the question lies in the symptoms. Itching is one of the major symptoms of herpes. The symptoms of herpes include:

• Blisters, pimples with crust over the infected area
• Fever
• Headache
• Pain during urination
• Tender lymph glans in throat, under arms and groin area
• Muscle ache
• Itchiness and painful burning sensation

Treatment for Herpes
You can speak to your doctor regarding genital herpes treatment as well as mouth herpes treatment. He may prescribe some medications that help in reducing the symptoms of flare ups of rashes, burning sensation and itchiness. You can also try some herbal remedies to reduce the severe itching and burning during the initial phases of genital herpes. These include salt baths, where you bath in warm water added with Epsom salt. You may feel some discomfort first, like a stinging sensation, but it will soon fade away. It will prove to be a very soothing effect on the itching and will help in sterilizing your body. It proves to be very helpful in speeding up the healing process.

You can even try other herpes cure options, like tea tree oil, which is a very powerful antiseptic. You can apply a bit of tea tree oil on areas that itch and burn. It will help in reducing the genital herpes itch to a great extent. And if you have no tea tree oil at home, you can always use an ice pack. This can be applied for about 10 minutes and then after some time, reapply the ice pack for 10 minutes. This will really help you in reducing the terrible itch and burning sensation.

So, 'does herpes itch and burn' has a 'yes' as answer in case of genital herpes and 'no' in case of herpes found around the mouth, gums and teeth. Type 1 usually does not cause itching all the time and spreads through kissing and oral sex. Hope the above paragraphs on does herpes itch, made it clear that genital herpes does itch and burn, as against oral herpes, which does not.