The herpes virus is one of the most ancient “pests” of the human body. It can affect the skin and mucous membranes of any part of the body. Even in our progressive age, doctors cannot find a drug that would get rid of this disease forever.
The herpes virus can infect the skin and mucous membranes on any part of the body, even the legs.
Herpes on the leg occurs as a result of activation of the first or second type of virus in the body.
Its development can be triggered by chickenpox, which most of us suffered from in childhood.
The chickenpox virus is not eliminated from the body. It is suppressed by the immune system and can manifest itself in the event of a decrease in protective functions.
Nervous stress is the cause of herpes.
The following factors can cause the manifestation of herpes:
Herpes on the leg appears as a characteristic rash that usually appears on the foot, toes, or inner thighs.
At first, herpes on the leg may appear as redness in a small area of the skin. Then, swelling, itching and burning are observed in this area. After some time, small cloudy bubbles appear, which are located in groups. The liquid in them contains viral particles. These bullae burst after maturity. In their place, ulcers appear. In this regard, unpleasant pain occurs, which disappears as the wounds heal.
The risk of complications of herpes on the feet is many times higher, since a person, while wearing shoes, exposes the inflamed areas to re-infection with other fungal diseases and the spread of the same virus. A rash on the limbs can appear regularly within 1.5 -2 weeks, depending on the “efficiency” of the immune system. After this, the erosions begin to heal, and after a few weeks the spots disappear completely.
During the period of herpes outbreak, the temperature may rise significantly and the functioning of the digestive system may be disrupted.
To relieve pain and itching, the use of gabapentin, pregabalin, and amitriptyline is recommended. In addition, immunomodulatory drugs and stimulators of the synthesis of endogenous interferons are prescribed. Ulcers must be lubricated with a solution of brilliant green. It will dry the wounds and promote the formation of a protective crust.
In addition to traditional methods of treatment, folk remedies are also effective.
A very good treatment method is herbal baths made from hawthorn. To do this, you need to take 30 g of fresh fruits per liter of hot water and take a bath for at least half an hour.
Sea salt is also a good remedy. It needs to be dissolved in water, taking into account 100 g per 10 liters of hot water. Salt should be without flavorings. Take a bath for at least 20 minutes.
In addition, to strengthen the immune system for herpes, traditional medicine recommends infusions of viburnum, lungwort, wormwood and lemon balm.
Shingles affects not only adults, but also children. The causes of herpes in children are largely similar to those in adults. Since a child’s body is much weaker than that of an adult, the disease is much more complicated and is fraught with the most unforeseen consequences. Therefore, it is highly not recommended to treat the baby on your own. It is better to consult a children's doctor.
Herpes vaccinations are a recent invention and their effectiveness has not been fully proven. Some studies claim that after vaccination, relapses of the disease occur much less frequently.
Herpes vaccinations are used; this is a recent invention.
Contraindications to the use of such vaccinations are the presence of any kidney or liver diseases in the child, or allergic reactions to tetracycline antibiotics.
To prevent herpes on the leg, you need to follow these recommendations:
Statistics say that 95% of the world's population have the herpes virus in their bodies. It is stored in the nervous system forever and manifests itself in a “convenient” case. And no matter what antiviral drug is used for treatment, it will not be able to completely destroy herpes, but only suppress its “reproduction” and relieve symptoms.
The appearance of herpes blisters on the leg indicates the development of herpes zoster.
It is caused by type 3 of the Varicella Zoster virus, provoking inflammatory processes on the skin of the legs and inner thighs with bilateral damage. With timely treatment, recovery occurs quickly.
In advanced cases, the virus destroys cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing the functioning of the nervous and respiratory systems to deteriorate and paralysis of the facial nerve and lower extremities to occur. The spread of herpes to the eyes can lead to glaucoma and blindness. Sometimes the disease ends in death.
Localization of herpes on one side of the limb indicates the activity of Varicella Zoster (HSV-3).
This strain causes chickenpox in children, but the pathogen does not go away after recovery. It goes deep into the nerve ganglia and falls into an inactive state. As soon as the immune system weakens, the pathogen becomes active and moves along the nerve processes closer to the skin surface. There it multiplies in epithelial cells and causes symptoms characteristic of herpes zoster.
The cause of herpes on the leg of a child who has had chickenpox is also the activity of HSV-3. Weakened, frequently ill children with reduced immunity are susceptible to infection with the herpes virus. Infection of children with herpes often occurs through contact with sick friends who have specific rashes on their bodies.
Factors contributing to the manifestation of herpes on the leg in children and adults:
Herpes blisters on the skin of the legs can form due to poor antiseptic treatment of problem areas in the genital form of the disease. When the elements burst, they leak viral contents. When liquid gets on healthy skin, surrounding tissues become infected.
When the virus approaches the surface of the skin, redness and swelling appear on top. The person experiences itching and burning. Weakness, chills, and general malaise occur. After some time, small blisters with cloudy contents, located in groups, form at the affected points.
Neighboring bubbles merge into a large spot. The elements are filled with viral particles. After the blisters self-open, painful ulcers remain. Discomfort persists until the wounds heal.
A herpetic rash on the leg can appear regularly for 10 to 14 days (the period depends on the state of the immune system). Until the wounds have healed completely, they ooze from under the crust. Then tissue regeneration occurs, and erosions disappear without a trace.
Herpes blisters on the legs can appear in three types:
Body aches and dry mouth with herpes are symptoms of poisoning of the body with waste products of the pathogen. By increasing the temperature, the body reacts to the proliferation of foreign agents.
You can see herpes blisters on the leg in the photo.
The process of their formation causes severe pain and requires medical intervention. Herpes can be cured by a dermatologist, virologist, or infectious disease specialist.
If herpes on the leg has become a clinical sign of herpes zoster, treatment with systemic antiviral agents will help not only suppress the activity of HSV-3, but also prevent postherpetic neuralgia.
Traditionally, patients are prescribed:
External treatment of the rash is carried out with antiviral ointments and creams with acyclovir 5 r. in a day. Between manipulations, the skin is treated with cycloferon liniment five percent. The spot application of brilliant green will help speed up the drying of the rash and the formation of crusts due to herpes.
To eliminate itching and pain, Pregabalin, Gabapentin, and Amitriptyline are indicated.
Immune support is provided to the body using stimulators of the synthesis of endogenous interferons and immunomodulatory agents:
If the above methods do not eliminate the pain, the patient is treated with injections of painkillers. Blockades are placed in the tissue surrounding the nerves affected by herpes. Electrical nerve stimulation as a method of treating herpes on the leg can normalize the functioning of the affected nerves.
Let's look at how to treat herpes on the leg with folk remedies. Healers suggest fighting the disease by taking herbal baths with hawthorn. The healing liquid is prepared at the rate of 25 g of fruit per 1 liter of boiling water. When the infusion has cooled to an acceptable temperature, it is poured into the bath and immersed for half an hour.
For internal healing of the body with herpes, it is useful to drink viburnum infusion. 20 g of fresh berries are poured over a glass of boiling water and left for 4 hours. Take the product 4 rubles. per day, ½ cup for a 2-week course.
An infusion of lungwort will help prevent relapses of herpes. 2 tsp pour a glass of boiling water over the herbs and keep the preparation covered for 45 minutes. Drink liquid 2 times. a whole glass per day. Herbal medicine lasts 12 days.
During pregnancy, it is allowed to treat herpes on the leg with an infusion of sweet clover. 1 tbsp. dry raw materials are poured with a glass of boiled water and left for several hours in a warm room. It is recommended to use the herbal medicine 3 times a day. half a glass a day.
A cold sore on the leg, if it is located on only one leg, is usually a sign of herpes zoster. Herpes simplex can also cause inflammation on the skin of the legs, but they are more often located on the inner thighs and are bilateral.
Herpes on the leg, if it is located only on one side, is usually a manifestation of herpes zoster and is caused by the herpes virus type 3 - varicella zoster. This herpes virus causes chickenpox in children, and after the child recovers, it is not removed from the body, but hides in the nerve ganglia, where it is in an inactive state.
When immunity decreases, varicella zoster is activated, descends along the nerve endings into the skin, multiplies in its epithelial cells and causes an inflammatory process - herpes zoster. Shingles is not only an infectious disease.
Herpes on a child's leg if he or she has had chickenpox can also be caused by this type of herpes. The disease, as a rule, develops in weakened children who often suffer from colds and with reduced immunity.
At the same time, it is impossible to exclude the entry of herpes simplex viruses into some particular area of the leg. A child can become infected with herpes simplex through contact with a patient whose skin has herpetic rashes.
Herpes zoster can develop on the skin of the legs along the branches of individual nerves. In this case, at first, unpleasant sensations appear, a feeling of numbness, pain along the affected nerve, and only then, after some time, redness and swelling appear on the skin above the nerve. Then characteristic herpetic vesicular rashes with transparent contents appear on the swollen, reddened skin, which becomes cloudy after a few hours. The bubbles are arranged in groups, closely adjacent to each other. Sometimes they merge with each other, forming larger blisters - this form of herpes zoster is called bullous.
After the blisters burst, the affected skin becomes wet. This is very dangerous on the feet, since herpes on the feet and herpes on the toes can be complicated by the addition of another infection.
Fungal and bacterial infections are often present on the feet and toes; this may well complicate the course of the herpetic process, since the skin on the feet is constantly injured by wearing shoes.
This is a very dangerous moment, since a mixed infection on the skin of the feet is often the cause of the development of microbial eczema. Therefore, foot skin care is of great importance. If the course of herpes zoster is not complicated by anything, then after about two weeks it will go away. Sometimes brown or white spots on the skin remain at the site of the rash. White spots on the skin - what are the causes and how to treat? , but they also pass in a few weeks.
Another possible complication of herpes zoster is the appearance of constant pain along the affected nerve. These pains bother patients after all skin lesions have disappeared; they are associated with damage to nerve tissue by the varicella-zoster virus. This complication is called postherpetic neuralgia.
How to treat herpes on the leg? If herpes on the leg is a manifestation of herpes zoster, then the prescription of systemic antiviral drugs cannot be avoided - this is the only means of preventing postherpetic neuralgia. Patients are prescribed antiviral drugs such as acyclovir Acyclovir - how safe is it? , valacyclovir or famciclovir. The most effective antiviral drug is famciclovir (trade name Famvir).
Immunomodulators are also required - these are interferons (for example, Viferon in suppositories), inducers of endogenous interferons (amiksin, cycloferon Cycloferon - restores the body's defenses - these drugs contribute to the formation of endogenous interferon by the body's own cells).
An alcohol solution of brilliant green can be applied externally to the affected areas of the skin - this dries out the elements of the rash and crusts form on them more quickly. Antiviral ointments and creams based on acyclovir are applied at least five times a day, and in between, 5% cycloferon liniment can be applied to the skin - it has immunostimulating properties.
With herpes zoster, it is not least important to adhere to bed rest, proper balanced nutrition and the exclusion from the daily diet of foods that could irritate the skin - these are spicy, salty, smoked foods, sweets, baked goods, sweet carbonated drinks, strong tea and coffee , alcohol.
Herpes on the leg should be treated only as prescribed and under the supervision of a doctor, otherwise complications in the form of constant pain along the affected nerves cannot be avoided.
Herpes is an infectious disease caused by the herpes virus of the first or second type; There are also other forms of the disease, such as shingles, that are caused by other types of herpes viruses. There are several ways to get herpes. The virus can infect almost all organs and systems. However, most often it enters the body through mucous membranes or damaged skin, so herpes on the skin of the body or face is the most common form of this disease.
Herpetic lesions of the skin cause a number of characteristic external manifestations, which often make it possible to diagnose the disease without resorting to the use of laboratory methods. Most often, rashes are localized in the face, especially the nasolabial triangle, neck; however, they can also occur on the trunk, back, abdomen, and chest. A common form is also herpes on the skin of the hands and feet, and herpes on the scalp.
How does herpes simplex of the skin manifest? Some time after the introduction of the virus, the patient begins to feel itching, tingling and burning in the affected area, and slight redness or swelling may appear. Then small bubbles with a diameter of no more than 2 millimeters appear on the skin; they can be located singly or in groups, but with a long course of the disease they most often merge together, forming large areas of rash. The bubbles are filled with liquid, at first transparent, then gradually becoming cloudy.
A few days after their appearance, the blisters burst, leaving behind a small, slowly healing ulcer, on the surface of which a crust forms. With secondary bacterial or fungal infection, a change in symptoms is possible - for example, the appearance of a white or yellowish coating, a change in the color of the contents of the blisters to a reddish, bloody color. Typically, an episode of disease manifestation lasts 10-20 days; Throughout this period, new eruptive elements may appear on the surface of the skin.
Photos of herpes on the skin will help you get an accurate and detailed idea of what this disease looks like. In addition to external manifestations, herpes on the skin of a child or adult may be accompanied by symptoms of general intoxication: weakness, malaise, fever, poor sleep and appetite, nausea or vomiting.
Due to complications or individual characteristics of the body, herpes on the skin can manifest itself in several atypical forms:
This form is characterized by the development of severe swelling and redness (erythema) in the affected areas. Vesicles do not form on the surface of the skin, so the edematous form is often called “herpes under the skin.” If the edematous form occurs frequently in the same area, lichenification may develop—coarsening and thickening of the skin.
Also characterized by the absence of vesicles. In this case, spots of pink or yellowish-pink color and slight swelling form on the surface of the skin. A slight burning and itching may accompany the abortive form, but usually disappear within 24 hours after the first signs of the disease appear.
In the normal course of a herpetic infection, small areas of erosion (ulceration) with a pink bottom are formed at the site of the burst blisters, which gradually heal. However, the erosive-ulcerative form is characterized by the appearance of extensive, long-lasting ulcers. In this case, there is a high risk of secondary infection - for example, staphylococcus.
A distinctive feature of this form is the serous-purulent or bloody contents of the vesicles, which is caused by damage to the deep layers of the skin or blood vessels. Over a long period of time, this form can lead to necrosis (death) of the affected skin areas and scarring.
The nervous system is a kind of transport for the herpes virus - it is through the nerve processes and ganglia that it most often rises to the surface of the skin when reactivating herpes already existing in the body. With zosteriform herpes, rashes form on the skin along the nerve branches; this form is also often accompanied by neuralgia (severe pain).
An extremely rare form that usually occurs as a result of eczema. The disease is characterized by a severe course with severe symptoms of general intoxication up to loss of consciousness, severe weeping and swelling of the skin, and the formation of bleeding erosions. Often the course of Kaposi's eczema is complicated by the addition of neurodermatitis or dermatitis.
The basis for the treatment of herpetic skin infections are external agents containing antiviral active ingredients - such as acyclovir, ribavirin, valacyclovir and others. Antiviral drugs may also come in other forms; in particular, ribavirin can be found on sale not only in the form of a cream, but also in the form of a spray and tablets for oral administration. An aerosol based on ribavirin is used to treat syncytial viral respiratory infection in children. A cream containing this drug is used alone or as part of complex therapy for simple and genital herpes, as well as herpes zoster.
Ointments, gels and creams with an antiviral component are applied to the affected areas of the skin several times a day. It is extremely important to maintain hygiene and treat the skin with disinfectants (for example, brilliant green or zinc ointment) - this will help protect against secondary infection, as well as dry out rashes and erosions and speed up their disappearance.
Treatment of herpes on the skin of the body or face may also include systemic therapy - taking antiviral drugs in the form of tablets or injections, taking substances that stimulate the immune system (interferon inducers, immunomodulators). However, such treatment can only be undertaken after consulting a doctor (generalist, dermatologist, infectious disease specialist) and as prescribed, since drugs of this type have a number of side effects and contraindications.
At least 80% of the world's inhabitants are infected with herpes. But this does not mean that it manifests itself in many people. Most are carriers of this virus without knowing it. And many suffer from it. Relapses occur up to ten times a year. Rashes in the form of painful blisters can appear throughout the body, this directly depends on the type of virus.
Herpes on the toes and the extremities themselves is very rare. Brings great discomfort to a person. More often, children suffer from this disease after suffering from chickenpox. This disease is caused by a type 3 virus. After suffering from the disease, a person develops lifelong immunity, but the virus remains and continues its vital activity in a dormant mode, in the nerve ganglia. This type of virus causes the so-called herpes zoster; most often the rash appears in the chest area, along the intercostal nerves, but the foot and foot can be affected.
Herpes on a child’s leg can occur for a number of reasons:
Also, rashes may appear if a person has genital herpes. When the blisters are opened, their contents penetrate into healthy tissue, thereby causing them to appear on the inside of the thigh.
Manifestations depend on the type of virus that provoked it.
Herpes zoster is characterized by the descent of a large number of blisters from the chest to the abdomen and outer thigh. The bubbles are colored very intensely red, going down in appearance, they resemble a belt.
With herpes simplex, blisters appear on clean areas of the skin, tend to merge, and appear symmetrically on both limbs.
With genital herpes, the rashes are located in close proximity to the external genitalia.
Rashes caused by a virus of the first or second type occupy a small area.
Children are especially affected by these rashes, which cause them pain and discomfort.
With any type of virus, patients complain of feeling unwell, headache, and a slight increase in body temperature. There is no generalization of infection in patients.
In persons with immunodeficiency conditions, generalization of the process may occur involving all organs and systems. In this case, the patient’s condition deteriorates sharply, even to the point of coma. Many of these patients die. This form needs to be recognized promptly and treated promptly.
Not only with a herpes infection, rashes can appear on the legs. To do this, you need to know what can trigger the rash and how it is characterized.
Various allergies can cause rashes in the lower extremities. It can be very difficult to distinguish them from herpetic ones. You can distinguish them by their behavior; with allergic reactions, the rash resembles blisters from mosquito bites. It spreads throughout almost the entire body, the resulting bubbles regress after a couple of days, they do not have a tendency to burst.
Fungus of various etiologies can be distinguished by the duration of its course.
If the blisters have not gone away within ten days, then it is necessary to suspect their genesis other than herpetic. Be sure to seek advice from a specialist; only your attending physician will be able to diagnose the rash, your general condition, and prescribe appropriate therapy.
For the general condition of a completely healthy person, these rashes do not pose a huge danger. The most severe symptoms can be considered a feeling of discomfort, pain, and deterioration in well-being.
These rashes are dangerous only for individuals whose body’s protective properties are significantly reduced. There are a number of reasons for this:
In this case, such individuals may develop viral encephalitis, hepatitis, and nephritis.
In older people, herpes zoster is very dangerous. After treatment and the rash disappears, they may experience pain for quite a long period of time.
For all of the above-described persons, treatment should be carried out only in a hospital under the supervision of a specialist. Indeed, when bacterial flora joins, septic manifestations can occur.
Herpes on the legs and its treatment directly depend on the type of virus. For herpes simplex, antiviral therapy may not be required. You can use various ointments with anesthetics or antiviral agents, acyclovir.
When determining herpes zoster, therapy is carried out strictly under the supervision of a specialist. Antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs are used. In severe cases, the use of drugs parenterally is prescribed.
There is no single method that provides 100% protection against infection by the virus. All measures come down to strengthening the immune system and its response to the introduction of a pathogenic factor. It is necessary to normalize the daily routine, nutrition, lifestyle, and give up bad habits.
To prevent infection with genital herpes, and from it and rashes on the legs, it is necessary to carefully choose sexual partners and protect themselves during sex.
To date, there is no vaccine that can prevent infection. All of them are at the stage of clinical trials.
In conclusion of the article, I would like to say that you, dear patients, do not self-medicate, but promptly seek help from qualified doctors. After all, self-medication can lead to irreparable damage to your health.
Next you will learn:
Generally speaking, the appearance of herpes on the leg is a rather rare situation and, in general, not typical for herpes virus infections. The fact is that on the legs (as, indeed, on the arms and on most of the surface of the body in general) the skin is quite rough, and the thickness of the upper layer of the epidermis is too great for the normal course of the pathological process and the appearance of characteristic herpetic eruptions. Partly for this reason, the external manifestations of the disease with this localization differ from the clinical picture of the more familiar herpes on the lips.
The photo below shows herpes on the leg:
And here are the well-known herpetic rashes on the lip:
The severity of the disease is determined by several factors, in particular, it largely depends on the general health of the patient and the type of viral infection. At the same time, in different patients there are differences not only in the area and severity of lesions on the skin of the legs, but also in their appearance, general physiological condition, as well as the specific location. For example, herpes can manifest itself only on one leg, or on both legs at once, sometimes it is localized only on the fingers, knee, or thigh.
However, first of all, the nature of the disease is determined by the type of pathogen that caused it.
It is necessary to understand that the cause of a herpetic rash on the leg is always either a primary infection with a herpes virus infection, or reactivation of a virus already present in the body.
In both cases, the disease is caused by herpes simplex viruses, but the characteristics of its course are determined by the specific type of pathogen. In particular, the following herpes viruses can cause rashes on the leg:
These pathogens are characterized by specific features by which they can be distinguished.
So, with shingles that spreads to the legs, the rash in the vast majority of cases appears only on one leg, as a rule, only on the outer side of the thigh.
The photo below shows the rash caused by herpes zoster:
With herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2, in most cases the rash is localized on the inner thighs, spreading from the groin area. They are usually associated with genital herpes when the patient has a weakened immune system.
Less commonly, herpes simplex viruses can cause rashes on the legs for the following reasons:
The appearance of herpetic rashes on the knee or toes is most often a consequence of infection through skin lesions. It can be observed in both adults and children.
Note: herpes on the toes is the same herpetic whitlow, only with a non-standard localization.
The cause of the appearance of herpes simplex on the skin of the leg may be a primary infection or a relapse of the disease. In the first case, the symptoms of the disease are usually more pronounced, the area of the herpetic lesion is larger, and the patient’s condition is worse. Relapses are usually milder, and sometimes they show practically no outward appearance at all.
By the way, it is also useful to read:
With relapses, herpetic rashes on the legs may appear, first of all, in those areas through which the infection occurred. This is due to the so-called conservatism of the herpes simplex virus in the choice of tissue affected and its tropism for nerve cells.
The mechanism of interaction of herpes viruses with the body is as follows:
Primary infection usually occurs through direct contact with a sick person. In this case, for example, a rash cannot simultaneously appear on the back, legs and arms - infection occurs in a targeted manner. However, dissemination may develop later if the immune system is severely weakened.
Depending on the type of pathogen, the disease may manifest itself with slightly different symptoms.
For example, herpes zoster is characterized by the following clinical picture:
Herpes simplex is different in that the rash usually occurs without much redness of the skin, does not have a characteristic encircling (extended) localization and can appear on both legs at the same time.
Shingles is characterized by localization of rashes on the outer side of the thigh, and for simple shingles, the rash is localized in any area. If the focus of the disease is on the genitals (genital herpes), then the rash will be located near the groin and on the inside of the thighs.
With herpes simplex, the rashes usually occupy a small area, usually no more than the size of the palm of your hand. An example of such rashes is shown in the photo below:
Skin lesions on the toes usually consist of only a few vesicles on the nail fold of the toes. Moreover, as a rule, they develop only on one finger. Rash on several fingers is less common.
With both herpes zoster and herpes simplex, the patient’s body temperature sometimes rises slightly (while remaining within subfebrile values - 37-37.5 ° C), and general health may deteriorate somewhat. But generalized symptoms may not appear at all.
The chronology of the development of herpetic rashes on the legs is as follows:
With the disseminated form of herpes, papules appear in large numbers on any part of the legs and can occupy a very large area. In most cases, the rash spreads to other parts of the body, and damage to internal organs occurs, with possible irreversible consequences. This form of herpes is the most dangerous and can be fatal without treatment.
Note: disseminated herpes often develops in patients infected with HIV. For them, it can be deadly, and its treatment requires mandatory medical supervision and the use of powerful antiviral drugs that are not prescribed to ordinary patients.
In some cases, patients mistake various rashes and lesions for herpes that are in no way related to herpes viruses.
In any case, if the rash on the legs does not go away within 1-2 weeks, then there is every reason to assume that in this case we are not talking about a herpetic disease.
In general, for a healthy person, the appearance of herpes on the leg is not dangerous. Its most severe symptoms in this case are, perhaps, pain at the site of the rash and a slight deterioration in general well-being. Including herpetic lesions of the legs of a child (not a newborn) does not pose any particular threat to his health and does not threaten dangerous consequences and complications.
Herpes is truly dangerous for patients with immunodeficiency, as well as for patients whose immunity is deliberately suppressed for the purpose of undergoing an organ transplant operation. If uncontrolled by the body's defenses, the virus can cause severe damage to internal organs:
...And other complications.
Note: in AIDS patients, the leading cause of death is herpes viruses. As a rule, these are cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus when they are reactivated. However, the herpes simplex virus or Varicella zoster can be deadly for an immunosuppressed patient.
Also, the appearance of herpes on the leg can pose a certain danger to a newborn baby. At a minimum, this may be evidence of a neonatal infection, which in itself is very dangerous at this age and sometimes causes severe damage to internal organs.
Below in the photo is neonatal herpes on the foot:
Sometimes the disease, especially without adequate treatment, can have serious consequences for older patients. This is mainly true for herpes zoster, and its main danger is postherpetic neuralgia, the duration and severity of which increases with the patient’s age ( with postherpetic neuralgia, the patient sometimes experiences severe pain in the areas of the rash for a long period after the disappearance of the rash itself, sometimes up to several years ).
It is important to understand that in cases where herpes is truly dangerous, it is monitored and treated by specialists. Patients with artificial immunosuppression, those infected with HIV, newborns, and patients with herpes zoster should be under the supervision of a physician. For other patients, vesicles on the legs are not a serious health problem.
Note: they are not caused directly by herpes viruses, but various viral, bacterial and fungal infections are often associated with it. The fact is that the manifestation of symptoms of herpes on the leg occurs when the immune system is weakened, and various infectious agents are able to gain a foothold in the affected tissues with the further development of the concomitant disease.
Now let's talk about approaches to treating pathology.
Depending on the type of herpes (simple or shingles), approaches to its treatment vary.
So, simple herpes on the leg in most cases does not require any therapy at all. Both during primary infection and during relapse, it will pass without consequences in a standard time frame. Sometimes patients are recommended to use local anesthetic ointments - hydrocortisone, Fenistil, Dinexan, Lidocaine - to reduce pain in the acute period.
Practice shows that the use of ointments based on acyclovir (which are usually used for colds on the lips) for treatment, as a rule, does not give a pronounced effect. Sometimes with their help it is possible to somewhat shorten the time of manifestation of symptoms, but it is not possible to completely and quickly eliminate pain and rashes using ointments.
For herpes zoster, the basis of therapy is systemic administration of drugs based on acyclovir, famciclovir or valacyclovir - such treatment can only be carried out under the supervision of a physician. The appropriate medications are taken as directed by the doctor up to 4-5 times a day for a week. The sooner treatment is started, the faster the recovery will occur and the lower the risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia.
Note: in the most severe cases, when herpes threatens the patient’s life, jet injections of interferon drugs, for example, Cycloferon, may be prescribed. These drugs are quite dangerous and can cause severe side effects, so their use should only be done in a clinical setting under the supervision of qualified medical personnel.
Today there are no absolutely effective means and methods of protection against herpes.
If the patient has had herpetic rashes on the legs before, then prevention consists of reducing the risk of relapse. Here everything is determined by the state of the immune system: the stronger the immune system, the less likely another episode of the disease is. Therefore, the most effective methods here are normalizing the diet, physical activity, hardening, and consuming the required amount of vitamins.
Similar measures are relevant for the prevention of herpes zoster.
To avoid becoming infected with genital herpes, which often spreads to the legs, it is advisable to control your sex life and avoid casual relationships.
The current vaccines against the herpes simplex and Varicella zoster viruses have rather limited effectiveness. They reduce the risk of relapses, but cannot guarantee their complete absence. Such vaccines are sometimes advisable to use in elderly patients for whom a recurrence of herpes infection is at increased risk.
Details Views: 229
Herpes on the leg and sole of the feet, how to treat?
Humanity has been trying to fight one of its oldest enemies - the herpes virus - for more than 2 thousand years. And so far we have not been able to come up with a cure. which would rid us of it forever. During this time, the virus managed to settle in the bodies of 95% of the population of our planet, and is ready to strike everyone in the most difficult period, when for one reason or another immunity decreases. Moreover, it can appear on any part of the body, including the legs.
A disease that affects certain areas of the skin, including the leg area, is called shingles. It is caused by a type of virus (varicella zoster virus) that most of us encountered as children (chickenpox). This virus cannot be completely eliminated from the body. It remains in our cells in an inactive state until the opportunity arises, and manifests itself in characteristic rashes on the body.
However, not only this type of virus can cause herpes to appear on the leg. Common types I and II, which most often affect the face and genitals, can also cause skin rashes. In this case, treatment will be similar to therapy for herpes zoster.
Among those who sought medical attention with symptoms of shingles, the vast majority showed the characteristic rash on the inner thigh. However, in rare cases, herpes could be observed on the soles of the feet and shins. You can see what herpes looks like on the leg in the photo. posted in our article.
Herpes on the skin of the legs can appear in several cases:
It must be remembered that a person who has been diagnosed with herpes zoster remains extremely contagious from the very first signs of the disease until all the sores have crusted over.
The onset of the disease is characterized by increased sensitivity of the affected area of the body, general malaise, weakness and even chills. Within a few days after the first symptoms, a characteristic rash appears on the skin in the form of blisters filled with cloudy liquid, which then burst, turning into ulcers. You can understand what they look like by looking at a photo of herpes on the leg. This process is accompanied by severe pain and requires immediate medical intervention.
According to statistics, the majority of people with shingles are people over 50 years of age. At this age, the disease can cause serious complications, so the issue of herpes on the leg, how to treat it, should be given special attention. For herpes on the leg, treatment is carried out with special antiviral drugs. It could be pills. injections or ointments. helping to significantly reduce pain and speed up the healing process of ulcers. In addition, your doctor may prescribe painkillers to relieve severe pain.
So, to the question whether herpes happens on the legs, scientists and doctors give a clear answer - yes it happens. You shouldn’t endure the pain and wait for the disease to go away on its own. Remember that only a specialist can make a correct diagnosis, and skin rashes can occur in a number of other diseases. Therefore, the first thing you should do when you notice characteristic symptoms is to go to see a specialist.
Important! Herpes remedy recommended by Elena Markovich! Read more.
Herpes on the palms is a disease that can be caused by various strains of the virus, in particular, herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, as well as varicella zoster, the causative agent of shingles. The latter strain causes the appearance of herpetic blisters on places uncharacteristic for this disease - the palms and soles, and is usually complicated by other skin infections. These include allergies, atopic dermatitis, various irritations, etc.
Damage to the palms of the herpes virus type 1, the culprit of colds on the lips, may be a consequence of the transfer of infection from the lips to the skin of the hands and fingers during therapeutic measures and simple hygiene procedures. Predisposing factors to hand infection in this case are microcracks, cuts, injuries, as well as skin diseases, such as eczema, neurodermatitis and atopic dermatitis. A herpetic infection on the feet often “goes hand in hand” with a fungus. The situation is aggravated several times by hypothermia, a general decrease in immune defense against the background of a previous illness, surgery, intoxication, etc. In this case, the molecules of the shingles virus are activated, multiply, descend along the nerve endings and manifest themselves as a characteristic rash on the skin of the palms, feet, back, etc.
In the same way, the skin of the hands and feet becomes infected with the herpes virus type 2 - the culprit of genital infection. During the acute phase of the disease, virus molecules can easily get on the skin of the hands when treating the sore spot with medicinal ointments and creams. Simple rules will help to significantly reduce the risk of infection: after carrying out various manipulations with the source of infection, you need to wash your hands thoroughly with soap, and also do not touch the bubbles with them unless absolutely necessary. Do not treat sore spots on the skin with unprotected hands. Use gloves and special devices - cotton pads, sticks, bandages, etc.
Symptoms of herpes on the palms and soles begin with unpleasant painful sensations along the nerves. Then the skin in these areas turns red and swells, and a characteristic burning and itching occurs. After some time, the inflamed areas of the skin become covered with blisters filled with serous fluid. On the patient’s body, one can observe both individually located bubbles and entire clusters, large lesions that bring significant discomfort to their owner.
To treat and prevent herpes, our readers successfully use Elena Markovich’s method. Read more
After some time, the liquid from the bubbles comes to the surface with the formation of weeping ulcers. After a few days, they dry out, tighten and become covered with crusts, which then fall off. But if the disease is accompanied by a bacterial infection or inflammation of various etiologies, the patient’s recovery is significantly delayed and most often requires the intervention of special therapy. The rash takes a particularly long time to heal on the palms, because a person does everything with his hands - laundry, washing dishes, cooking, etc. And for a quick recovery you need rest and dry air.
We recommend articles on the topic:
Herpes on the feet is unpleasant in its own way. Warm shoes in winter significantly slow down the healing process due to the lack of much-needed ventilation of the skin. In summer, the risk of infection entering the body from dirty feet increases. In both cases, postherpetic neuralgia can develop - a serious condition characterized by constant or paroxysmal pain along the affected nerves.
Treatment for herpes on the palms and soles is the same as for other areas of the body. Shingles is treated with systemic antiviral drugs - Acyclovir, Valtrex, Famvir, Valacyclovir, etc. Moreover, they need to be taken both orally and treated with special creams and ointments based on the active substance acyclovir.
Great importance is attached to stimulating the body's defenses. For this purpose, immunostimulating drugs and drugs are prescribed to normalize metabolism in the body. For various forms of herpes infection, vitamins A, E, group B, ascorbic acid and rutin are indicated. Interferons can enhance immunity and have an antiviral effect. These include drugs such as Genferon, Kipferon, etc. They are available in the form of suppositories.
To reduce the local inflammatory process, ointments with hormonal anti-inflammatory substances - glucocorticosteroids - are indicated. Don't forget about painkillers. Sympathetic and epidural blockades are used for extremely severe pain. In any case, the treatment algorithm for postherpetic neuralgia is determined by the phase of the pain syndrome.
Home » Warts » Why do warts appear on the feet of adults and children? How do they look
Warts are unsightly skin growths, the appearance of which is caused by the impact of the human papillomavirus on the body. The pathology is characterized by a benign course, and it develops due to the following factors:
In children , warts on the legs appear due to violations of the protective function of the skin. Fresh scratches on the foot are a kind of gateway through which HPV enters the child’s body.
Often skin tumors are formed due to diseases with a chronic course that cannot be treated. The ineffectiveness of their therapy is explained by the suppression of general and local immunity. These are the Ebstein-Barr virus, HIV, cytomegalovirus.
Other causes of warts on the feet may include:
What does a wart on the leg look like? This is a small bump that can be flat, smooth or fleshy. If the tumor has settled on the sole of the foot, the person experiences pain or discomfort when pressing on it or when walking. In the photo, warts on the legs look like this:
Round, rough growths on the sole are flat and rough, single or grouped together. The surrounding skin is characterized by a too light or abnormally dark shade. The incubation period for the development of warts ranges from 1 to 6 months, and the latent period lasts from 3 years or more.
The different types of warts on the feet are shown in the photo below:
Plantar warts look like keratinized gray-dirty growths. Due to their density, when walking, a person has the feeling of a small pebble under the foot. The favorite location for such growths is the heels. In some people, they also form between the fingers.
Plantar wart (bleeds) on a child’s foot - photo:
Flat warts are recognized by their smooth surface and flat tops. Their color can vary from light brown and yellow to soft or bright pink. Such warts are formed singly or in entire masses. Often appear in the knee area.
Common warts are growths that look like cauliflower. Location: knees, shins and back of the feet. Their distinguishing features are gray-brown color, hard keratinized structure, small size and dome-shaped shape.
You can get rid of warts using the Salipod patch.
Its active ingredient is salicylic acid. Using the patch is not difficult - you need to cut a suitable piece of the patch from the tape and apply it to the wart. The patch is changed daily until the growths completely disappear.
For the treatment of plantar and common warts on the soles of the feet, the drug “Duofilm” has been developed. In addition to salicylic acid, it contains lactic acid. The combination of these substances makes the cauterization procedure more effective.
On the eve of the procedure, it is useful to hold the area with warts in warm water so that they soften. Then the growth is treated with a special medicinal liquid, preventing it from spreading.
It is not recommended for a child under 12 years of age to use Duofilm without medical advice. If the specialist has approved the use of the drug, the growth is treated with it once a day.
In the clinic, the patient is offered the following ways to get rid of warts:
At home, you can get rid of warts on your feet using a cake made from vinegar essence (the dough should be stiff). This recipe is good for heels. First, the feet are steamed in hot soda water and the dead skin is cleaned with a pumice stone. Then a hole is made in a regular patch, matching the size of the wart. It is glued to the affected area so that the growth passes through this hole and “looks out” outside.
Next, apply vinegar dough on it and cover it with cellophane film, fixing it with an adhesive plaster. This goes on for 2 days. The next stage of treatment is the removal of the softened horny mass (you can use scissors). The procedure is repeated until the tumor along with the root completely disappears.
You can also reduce warts on the soles of your feet by applying compresses. Experts recommend bandaging onion slices, lemon slices, banana peels and garlic cloves to the growths. Regular potatoes are also recognized as a good remedy for warts - they are passed through a fine grater. The resulting pulp is bandaged to the sore spot. Another treatment option is to moisten the warts with fresh onion juice.
Video: how to cure a wart on the leg at home.
Baths for warts on the feet do this. Horse chestnut leaves are collected in such quantities that they occupy half a bucket. Then they are poured with boiling water to the very edges of the container and waited for 12 hours, giving the product the opportunity to brew well. At the end of the designated time, the resulting composition is heated to a temperature of 38 degrees, poured into a basin and the legs are kept in it for about 20 minutes. In total, you need to carry out 8 procedures with an interval of one day.