Many people have experienced that when they have not slept well, are too tired or are irritable, the corners of the mouth are prone to redness, and small blisters grow on the corners of the lips, sometimes together in a ......
The common thought may be, "This is on fire", and then drink chrysanthemum tea and take "fire-lowering" medicine every day, but find that there is no effect, and even the symptoms are getting more and more serious, blisters burst, lips are swollen and painful, which not only hinders eating, but also affects the appearance.
In fact, there may be a widely misunderstood health problem behind this!
1. Blistering lips
It is most likely caused by a viral infection
Although it is easy to associate blistering lips with "fire", it is actually mostly cold sores caused by herpes simplex virus infection.
1. Once infected, carry it for life
Herpes simplex virus is so common that studies have shown that about 67% of the world's population is infected by the age of 50.
Once infected, the virus will be "latent" in the body, and it is basically difficult to completely eliminate it from the body.
When the immune system is weakened due to depression, anxiety, lack of sleep, cold and fever, etc., these herpes simplex viruses become active as if they have "broken free from the cage".
That's why some people have recurrent mouth blisters.
2. Symptoms
The clinical manifestations of herpes simplex vary from person to person. Some people may experience milder symptoms, while others may experience more significant discomfort. Therefore, understanding and recognizing the associated symptoms is essential for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Herpes simplex is characterized by periodic flare-ups, such as during times of stress, fatigue or weakened immunity.
In general, in the early stages of HSV infection, there will be a mild itching or rash on the lips, followed by clusters of blisters on the lips, and as it progresses, the wound will develop severe skin lesions.
In addition to local symptoms such as blisters on the mouth, herpes simplex can cause fever and general malaise in some cases, reflecting the body's ongoing fight against the virus.
2. Herpes virus doesn't just make you "painful"
If you think that infection with the herpes virus is just pain at the site of the disease, you are wrong, and it can also pose other health risks to the body:
1. Increase the risk of diabetes
A study published in the German journal Diabetology showed that the herpes virus is associated with the onset of prediabetes:
Two common herpes viruses, herpes simplex virus type 2 and cytomegalovirus, can cause impaired glucose metabolism in humans and significantly increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in infected people.
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2. Cause inflammation and even life-threatening
If a person with cold sores squeezes the blisters on their lips at will, there is a chance that the pathogen will spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body and cause inflammation.
For example, pathogens can enter the brain through the bloodstream and cause meningitis, and into the liver and cause herpetic hepatitis.
If the patient's immunity is extremely low, not seeking medical attention and scratching indiscriminately after contracting cold sores may even cause life-threatening complications.
3. What can we do if the virus cannot be removed?
The idea of a "cure" does not work for the herpes simplex virus. However, we are not helpless, and if we can do a certain amount of prevention, we can actually greatly reduce the risk of infection and recurrence.
So, what are the proven methods?
1. Reduce the risk of infection
Most herpes simplex virus infections come from close contact, so family and friends with herpes are the most at risk.
(1) Avoid skin contact
When cold sores occur, the virus spreads more easily, so be careful to keep your distance from the sick person and wash it promptly in case of skin-to-skin contact.
(2) Avoid sharing household items
Actively avoid sharing personal hygiene items with the patient, especially those that come into contact with saliva and herpes, such as utensils, cups, water bottles, towels, lipstick, and razors.
2. Reduce the probability of recurrence
If you have already had herpes, to reduce the recurrence, you can do the following:
(1) Summarize the predisposing factors before each seizure, and try to avoid the predisposing factors that are closely related to you in your life.
(2) The more mainstream predisposing factors include: sun exposure, mental stress, fever, trauma/surgery, and illness (such as severe cold).
(3) Taking trauma/surgery as an example, some people have a certain probability of causing herpes recurrence when they do dental treatment and skin laser treatment, if there is a need for treatment in this area, it is best to communicate with the doctor in advance to find a way to reduce the risk of recurrence.
3. Active rehabilitation
(1) Pay attention to the rest of the body, including regular work and rest, moderate exercise, and adequate sleep, so as to ensure that the body accelerates healing;
(2) Appropriate medication can help alleviate the condition. Antiviral drugs such as acyclovir tablets can be taken orally under the guidance of a doctor, and topical ointment can be applied to the affected area, which can inhibit the virus, relieve swelling and pain, and shorten the course of the disease.
Test you:
What are the symptoms of the lips in the early stages of herpes simplex virus infection?