The first time you get herpes, you may not even know the causes, but you will soon realize that it is an uncomfortable guest that will visit you intermittently, especially in times of stress. We wonder if stress can cause herpes. Perhaps stress is not the original cause of the first herpes, but herpes and stress maintain a close relationship and, furthermore, one of those that are forever.
Stress and the appearance of herpes
Herpes is a viral skin infection that can be more or less painful, more or less extensive, and more or less annoying. They usually appear due to a drop in defenses, something that stress or anxiety easily achieve. Do you usually get a herpes on your lip just before an exam? Or when you have a job interview, or when you have had a big upset, or when you have suffered an experience with a great emotional charge.
Stress, nervousness, anxiety, or sudden changes in mood have an impact not only on our emotions, but also on our body. The immune system is weakened and little can cope with the imbalance that causes the crazy release of hormones due to stress. Obviously, stress is not the only cause of herpes, but it is one of its main promoters.
The most frequent herpes that appears due to stress is cold sores. Those annoying lip blisters or mouth sores are hard to hide and take time to go away. And once they have appeared, any moment of stress will bring them back.
Stress can also favor the appearance of herpes in other areas of the body, such as the cheeks, thighs or even on the genitals. This type of herpes does not present too many complications beyond the obvious discomfort and its duration.
Another type of herpes that can be caused by stress is herpes zoster or shingles. This type is more worrisome and generally appears in the thorax and lower back and is also the most painful and annoying. This herpes comes from the chickenpox virus that remains latent in our body even though we have already had this disease in childhood or even if we have been vaccinated. And when does it reappear in the form of herpes zoster? Precisely at times when stress overwhelms us.
How to combat herpes caused by stress?
As you can imagine, the fact that stress is the one that promotes the reappearance of herpes, leaves us with a very obvious solution to avoid suffering from these annoying skin infections: do not stress. But this is easier said than done and few people can avoid falling into states of stress or anxiety at some point in their lives.
There is also no way to prevent the appearance of herpes, so any action will be aimed at reducing discomfort and pain. Of course, you have to go to your family doctor and follow his instructions, but there are some home tricks that can make the duration of herpes more bearable.
Some of the most useful tips are to rub herpes with garlic, even if it seems like a spell. But actually garlic has infectious properties that can reduce the life of herpes. If you are able to detect the symptoms of herpes before it appears, a good remedy is to apply a cotton pad soaked in milk to the area to inhibit its growth.
And always remember to carefully wash towels and cutlery or even throw away some objects, such as razors, lipsticks or toothbrushes that have been in contact with herpes. The best way to prevent its reappearance? Regularly take probiotics to increase defenses and learn relaxation techniques so that stress does not surprise you defenseless.
