Homoeopathy in oral herpes labialis

Dr Gita Rajput¹, Dr Sonu mahiya² 

¹PG scholar, Department of homoeopathic philosophy & organon of medicine, Homoeopathy university, Jaipur
²PG scholar, Department of practice of medicine, homoeopathy university, Jaipur

Abstract: oral herpes labialis, most commonly known as cold sores, are a common encountered viral infection involving herpes simplex virus-1(HSV-1). Although relatively benign, these lesions can be both unsightly and clinically difficult to manage. Despite this homeopathic medicines play a very effective role in cold sore. Homeopathic medicines play a major role not only treatment but also as a preventive of recurrent episodes and reduce post complication. Some homeopathic medicines for prodromal and acute treatment of orofacial herpes infection and impact a reduction in the frequency of future outbreak.

Keyword: cold sores, prevention, homoeopathy

INTRODUCTION
Cold sores or fever blisters are very common viral infection caused by herpes simplex virus. they are small tiny fluid filled on the lips, chin, cheeks, inside the gums or roof of the mouth.

Symptoms 

People those are infected with HVS suffer from 

• Fever
• swelling
• weakness
• blisters and ulcers in and around the mouth
• sore throat, pain inside the mouth and on the gums. 
• You may feel itching and tingling a day or two before the cold sores appear. They usually cause a burning sensation, or itching before they burst and crust over.

Causes
Cold sores are caused by most common virus herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) and sometimes type-2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 spread through eating utensils, razors and towels, HSV-2 is responsible for genital herpes but can spread to face by close contact or relationship such as kissing oral sex. Sharing of glasses and silverware.

The viruses live in a cluster of nerve cells (ganglion) at the side of the face, known as the trigeminal ganglion. People get a cold sore if the viruses move along the nerves to the lips, where they cause the typical symptoms. If you become infected with herpes viruses, they stay in your trigeminal ganglion for the rest of your life.

Cold sores are very contagious when you have oozing blisters because the virus easily spreads by contact with infected body fluid of blisters.

Differential diagnosis

• Aphthous stomatitis or canker sores is a benign & non-contagious, non-infectious and not sexually transmissible mouth ulcers.
• Herpes gingivostomatitis is characterized by high grade fever & painful oral lesions mostly occurs in children from age 6 month to 5 years caused by same virus (HSV-1).
• Eczema herpeticum or Kaposi varicelliform eruption is characterized by fever and clusters of itchy blisters or punched-out erosions caused by HSV-1 & HSV-2. Children are higher risk of developing of EH. 
• Herpetic whitlow is a painful infection of fingers and thumbs caused by HSV-1 & HSV-2
• Impetigo is a very common and highly contagious skin infection of face that mostly affects babies and young children caused by bacteria staphylococcus aureus.

Complications

Sometimes cold sores complicate with some other severe diseases 

Fingertips: Children who suck their fingers and thumbs can transfer the infection from their mouth to their thumb and Both HSV-1 & HSV-2 can be spread to the fingertips and can cause whitlow.

Eyes: repeated infection can cause scarring and injury, an ulcer on the cornea and damage sight that can cause vision problems and permanent loss of vision.

Other body part: people who are infected with any other skin diseases like eczema/dermatitis are at highly risk of cold sores spreading all over their body parts that can become a medical emergency.

Prevention 

If cold sores are oozing, considered to be most infectious so it’s very necessary to stop transmitting HSV infection.

• Be sure to keep your hand clean by washing your hand after touching it and be careful to avoid your eyes and other body parts after touching your cold sores.
• Avoid sharing items like utensils, towels, lip balm, toothbrushes, drinking glasses or bottles and other personal item can spread the virus.
• Avoid kissing, hugging and skin contact with people having blisters.

Homeopathic medicines for cold sore 

APIS MELIFICA: bad effect of acute exanthema imperfectly developed or suppressed < from warmth, from getting wet > cold water, uncovering, cold bathing. 

ARSENICUM ALBUM: dry skin, like parchment; burning pain <from cold, >by heat. Person may be restless, anxious, fatigue.

CALENDULA OFFICINALIS: painful as if beaten.  

CANTHERIS: vesicular erysipelas, large blisters pain raw, sore and burning, internally and externally. 

CROTON TIGLIUM: intense itching of skin, but so tender is unable to scratch >by gentle rubbing 

DULCAMARA: thick brown yellow crusts <from cold; cold air 

GRAPHITES: rough, hard, crusting & cracking skin, oozing out a sticky discharge, burning, stinging pain < at night, warmth

HEPAR SULPHUR: the skin is very sensitive to touch, cannot bear even clothes to touch affected parts< cold air; uncovering >warmth; wrapping up warmly. 

MEZEREUM: vesicles appear around the ulcers, itch violently, burn like fire; shining, fiery –red areola around. Neuralgic burning pains after zona < cold air, cold washing, at night, touch or motion. 

NATRUM MURIATICUM: Greasy, oily skin, dry, crusty eruptions, raw, red fever blisters on lips and corners of the mouth, itching, burning; < eating salts, at seashore, heat; >cold bathing. This remedy also stops herpes outbreak if taken at the first sign of an infection.

PETROLEUM: herpes: of genital organs extending to perineum and thighs; itching, redness; skin cracked, rough, bleeding; dry or moist <winter. 

RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS: shingles preceded or followed by intercostals neuralgia; vesicles may have a bluish appearance. 

RHUS TOXICODENDRON: erysipelas, from left to right; vesicular, yellow vesicles; much swelling, inflammation; burning, itching, stinging < cold, wet rainy weather; at night; getting wet while perspiring; > warm, dry weather, wrapping up. 

SARSAPARILLA: herpetic eruption on all parts of body; rash from exposure to open air; dry, itch-like eruption, prone to appear in spring; become crusty. 

SEPIA OFFICINALIS: herpes circinatus in isolated spots on upper part of body, it stop blistering and oozing from cold sores <from cold air or dry east wind > warmth of bed, hot applications.

References

1.Mayo Clinic. 2018. Cold Sore – Symptoms And Causes. [online] Available at: <https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cold-sore/symptoms-causes/syc-20371017> [Accessed 13 July 2020].

2.Treatments, S., 2019. Cold Sores. [online] WebMD. Available at: <https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/understanding-cold-sores-basics> [Accessed 13 July 2020].

3.2018. Cold Sores: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, And More. [online] Available at: <https://www.healthline.com/health/herpes-labialis> [Accessed 13 July 2020].

4.Betterhealth.vic.gov.au. 2014. Cold Sores. [online] Available at: <https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/cold-sores> [Accessed 13 July 2020].

5.pebody RG, Andrews N, Brown D, Gopal R, De Melker H, Francois G et al. The seroepidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 in Europe. Sex Transm Infect 2004; 80(3): 185191. [PMC free article] [PubMed]

6.Usatine RP, Tinitigan R. Nongenital herpes simplex virus. Am Fam Physician 2010; 82(9): 1075-1082. [PubMed]

7.Aphthous stomatitis [Internet]. En.wikipedia.org. 2020 [cited 14 July 2020]. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphthous_stomatitis

8.Aslanova M, Ali R, Zito P. Herpetic Gingivostomatitis [Internet]. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2020 [cited 14 July 2020]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526068/

9.Lin D. Eczema herpeticum | DermNet NZ [Internet]. Dermnetnz.org. 2010 [cited 14 July 2020]. Available from: https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/eczema-herpeticum/

10.Betz D, Fane K. Herpetic Whitlow [Internet]. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2020 [cited 14 July 2020]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482379/

11.Impetigo – Symptoms and causes [Internet]. Mayo Clinic. 2019 [cited 14 July 2020]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/impetigo/symptoms-causes/syc-20352352

12.Boericke W. Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica and Repertory. 9^th Edition. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd; 2009.

13.Allen H. Keynotes and characteristics with comparisons of some of the leading remedies of the materia medica. 8^th edition. B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.

14.Clarke, J.H. A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 1999.