Rashes: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Though herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections can be transmitted through sex, that’s not the only way the virus is passed between people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“At least 80 percent of us are exposed to the herpes virus by the time we enter kindergarten,” Rodan says, thanks to shared toys, kisses from relatives, and slobbering, germy friends.

Our immune systems usually fight off the disease, but about 20 percent of people break out in sores, Rodan says.

Oral herpes, usually HSV type 1, is usually the culprit behind cold sores, and originates during childhood through nonsexual contact, according to the CDC.

“Any close contact like kissing, sharing utensils, or using a department store lipstick tester can cause it to spread,” Hirsch says. But HSV type 1 can also be transferred to the genitals during oral sex, according to the CDC.

A herpes outbreak can be triggered by stress, illness, fatigue, and sun exposure, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Though it’s rare, laser and injectable procedures (such as lip filler) at a doctor’s office can also trigger outbreaks, Davis says.

Herpes infections tend to recur in the same spot on your body because the virus lives in the nerve beneath the skin, Davis says. “When it gets triggered back to skin, it’s within the same vicinity,” she says.

Rash Rx

HSV can be tricky to diagnose, since it often looks like an allergic reaction, according to Cedars-Sinai. Your doctor may take a virus culture, blood sample, or biopsy to confirm the presence of HSV.

There is no cure, but prescription antiviral medication like valacyclovir (Valtrex) can reduce the number of herpes outbreaks, according to the Mayo Clinic. Taken in pill form, it can reduce the severity and duration of outbreaks.

A doctor can prescribe topical treatments, such acyclovir (Zovirax) and hydrocortisone (Solu-CORTEF), to help lessen the symptoms, says University of Michigan Health.

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