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So maybe you know that herpes is not exactly a life-threatening condition. Nevertheless, you know it's extremely unpleasant! One of the first things you should remember is that you need to avoid sexual contact during the herpes outbreak.

You should wait until all blisters have gone, even the very sign of them. That means the scabs have healed, fallen away, and have now been replaced by new skin. And in the meantime, there are lots of things you can do to help diminish the discomfort. An ice pack will generally ease the pain and swelling associated with genital herpes, so it's a good first step.

Next, try a warm bath with baking soda. The baking soda will also help with pain, and it should go a long way to relieve the itching as well. After you're finished, take your time to dry yourself very thoroughly and very carefully. You want the affected area to be dry and clean, which will ease your suffering.

To help retard the viral growth during a herpes outbreak, try taking some natural supplements. An amino acid like L-lysine, or other antioxidants such as zinc, can help slow down the viral growth.

In the meantime, try to avoid those foods that could suppress L-lysine. That includes dairy products, nuts, meat, oats, seeds, and corn. A limited diet is left, to be sure, but it's better than a prolonged outbreak!

You can also help speed up your healing with immune supplements. These include vitamin C, Echinacea, and goldenseal. Careful, though! Don't take Echinacea if you're allergic to ragweed. Of course, remember that sleep and reduced stress are nature's best immune boosters.

Treat any blisters you develop topically. Use something like tea tree oil, a natural topical antiseptic. It can be applied several times daily at half or full strength.

Call your doctor if you find that none of these natural remedies does anything for your herpes outbreak. He or she might prescribe one of several medications that are on the market to relieve symptoms.

Keep in mind that none of these treatments, natural or pharmaceutical, cure herpes, and none of them prevent the spread of it. Even oral sexual contact may spread the disease, so take care of yourself and your partner and wait a while!