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Suggest Treatment For Herpes
Question: I was diagnosed with Herpes approximately 8 years ago. When it occurs I normally have what looks like a pimple or sometimes 2 or three in the same exact location approximately 1 inch above the penis/scrotum area (flat stomach area). I was prescribed Valtrex however, was not properly educated (my fault) that I should be taking it all the time. Instead I took Valtrex only when the pimple area occurred (normally once a year). I now take Valtrex once a day. I commonly experience a burning sensation around my scrotum area and exterior skin rectum area however, there are no sores/lesians. The skins looks perfectly normal. Years ago a doctor referred to it as I believe "scrotadenia" (?spelling). Years ago my entire scrotum area became so inflamed/burning (red color) that the skin on my scrotum peeled as if it had been sunburned - - no lesians. This severity has never occurred again. What can I use to prevent the sometimes constant burning sensation on my exterior rectum area and sometimes scrotum?
Brief Answer:
Try sitz baths in which only hips and buttocks are immersed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using Healthcaremagic to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.
Scrotodynia is pain in the area of the scrotum. It is caused by the herpes virus, and it may last up to 6 months after a recurrence of the virus.
There are non specific medications which are recommended regularly to relieve the pain, other than preventing the episodes (which you are doing by taking the treatment daily) and also take a painkiller if needed- just a random one that works for you.
What may be recommended too and that has proven to be helpful are sit baths in which only hips and buttocks are immersed- try it.
If worse or not better, I would recommend seeing a local doctor.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Try sitz baths in which only hips and buttocks are immersed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using Healthcaremagic to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.
Scrotodynia is pain in the area of the scrotum. It is caused by the herpes virus, and it may last up to 6 months after a recurrence of the virus.
There are non specific medications which are recommended regularly to relieve the pain, other than preventing the episodes (which you are doing by taking the treatment daily) and also take a painkiller if needed- just a random one that works for you.
What may be recommended too and that has proven to be helpful are sit baths in which only hips and buttocks are immersed- try it.
If worse or not better, I would recommend seeing a local doctor.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
1) In the past, I have placed apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and applied it to the burning area of the skin which provides several hours of relief. Do you recommend against this?
2) Will the Valtrex (now that I'm taking it every day) prevent future flare ups where the 2 or 3 small pimple areas occur approximately once a year?
3) Over the past 8 years, the pimple type area always occurs at the exact same location, is that normal or can it move to other areas?
4) Are there any foods I should avoid eating which can cause flare ups to occur?
2) Will the Valtrex (now that I'm taking it every day) prevent future flare ups where the 2 or 3 small pimple areas occur approximately once a year?
3) Over the past 8 years, the pimple type area always occurs at the exact same location, is that normal or can it move to other areas?
4) Are there any foods I should avoid eating which can cause flare ups to occur?
Brief Answer:
Eating healthy- stronger immunity- less possible flare ups.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up question.
Here are the answers of your questions:
1) I don't recommend against applying apple cider vinegar locally at the numb painful place. One thing to consider though is that it may make the skin dry, so may give the opposite effect. As soon as it does not give this effect, then use it as needed.
2) Usually with one episode per year that you are having, it is not necessary to take Valtrex every day. In general this therapy it is recommended when people have more then 6 episodes per year- and in this case it significantly decreases the frequency of the flare ups and being contagious. So the supposition is that it will surely decrease the flare ups in your case. But the question is, if it is worth to take all the side effects and the high cost of the medicine just to have less then one year flare ups. The decision is yours and depends on how it does affect your life when you have these flare ups.
3) Yes, the virus stays in the root of the nerves, and it always appears in the area that that particular nerve innervates.
4) There are no foods that have proven to affect the frequency of a flare up. Lower immunity on the opposite is a proven factor. So eat healthy, so you can have stronger immunity.
I hope my answers are understandable and helpful.
Kind regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Eating healthy- stronger immunity- less possible flare ups.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up question.
Here are the answers of your questions:
1) I don't recommend against applying apple cider vinegar locally at the numb painful place. One thing to consider though is that it may make the skin dry, so may give the opposite effect. As soon as it does not give this effect, then use it as needed.
2) Usually with one episode per year that you are having, it is not necessary to take Valtrex every day. In general this therapy it is recommended when people have more then 6 episodes per year- and in this case it significantly decreases the frequency of the flare ups and being contagious. So the supposition is that it will surely decrease the flare ups in your case. But the question is, if it is worth to take all the side effects and the high cost of the medicine just to have less then one year flare ups. The decision is yours and depends on how it does affect your life when you have these flare ups.
3) Yes, the virus stays in the root of the nerves, and it always appears in the area that that particular nerve innervates.
4) There are no foods that have proven to affect the frequency of a flare up. Lower immunity on the opposite is a proven factor. So eat healthy, so you can have stronger immunity.
I hope my answers are understandable and helpful.
Kind regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Per paragraph 2) above question:
I am retired military in which I receive the Valtrex free. Based on side effects, should I consider taking it every other day or possibly twice a week to try to prevent future episodes?
What are the possible side effects from taking it every day?
I am retired military in which I receive the Valtrex free. Based on side effects, should I consider taking it every other day or possibly twice a week to try to prevent future episodes?
What are the possible side effects from taking it every day?
Brief Answer:
Every medicine has more side effects when taken more then needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
According the evidence based recommendations, they prefer to give the daily therapy to people who have 4-6 episodes per year. It is helpful to either decrease the frequency of episodes and prevent transmission of the virus.
If the episodes are less then 4 times per year then it is recommended the episodic therapy , which is given only when there is an outbreak of the vesicles. It will shorten the duration of the outbreak.
So there is no recommended therapy in between, because it will not be as any of them.
My opinion is that you should take only the episodic therapy, but I don't know the reasons why your doctor has recommended the other one, and if they are legit reasons, than you decide.
Of course the side effects are more when you take a medicine when not needed, even with medicines that we take every day.
For Valtrex, he main side effects are thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (sometimes fatal) reported in patients with low immunity.
It also may lead to underlying renal disease and in these people it may cause central nervous system symptoms.
I hope this is helpful and it is not confusing you more. Just talk with your doctor about these information or even read online yourself. Let me know if you have other questions or concerns.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Every medicine has more side effects when taken more then needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
According the evidence based recommendations, they prefer to give the daily therapy to people who have 4-6 episodes per year. It is helpful to either decrease the frequency of episodes and prevent transmission of the virus.
If the episodes are less then 4 times per year then it is recommended the episodic therapy , which is given only when there is an outbreak of the vesicles. It will shorten the duration of the outbreak.
So there is no recommended therapy in between, because it will not be as any of them.
My opinion is that you should take only the episodic therapy, but I don't know the reasons why your doctor has recommended the other one, and if they are legit reasons, than you decide.
Of course the side effects are more when you take a medicine when not needed, even with medicines that we take every day.
For Valtrex, he main side effects are thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (sometimes fatal) reported in patients with low immunity.
It also may lead to underlying renal disease and in these people it may cause central nervous system symptoms.
I hope this is helpful and it is not confusing you more. Just talk with your doctor about these information or even read online yourself. Let me know if you have other questions or concerns.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
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