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Helpful Hints to Successfully Live with and Manage Herpes

One of the most effective ways to care for HSV is to pay attention to "environmental"
considerations to the body and particularly to areas of infection.  Everyone has a
different experience with HSV, and different factors may or may not affect certain
people, so each person should pay attention to the factors that affect them.

External Elements

Avoid extreme environments that could cause irritation.  Protect yourself from sunburn.  
UVA/UVB, PABA-free sun screen can be effective in protecting infected areas and body in general from
sunburn which can aggravate and initiate HSV recurrences.  In addition, sunburn causes an
inflammatory reaction in the body, and the immune system gets diverted to deal with it rather than
sustain and protect the body as a whole.

When a having a particularly painful outbreak, some people find bathing several times a day in cool
water to provide temporary relief.

Many women who experience extreme pain while urinating find pouring body-temperature water over the
area, or urinating while immersing the area in lukewarm water, alleviates the pain.  Also, drinking plenty
of liquids helps to dilute the urine.

Experts recommend to keep actively infected lesions clean, dry, and exposed as much as possible to air,
but not direct sunlight.

Avoid irritating the area by wearing loose-fitting cotton undergarments when possible.  Sharp edges
(such as certain laces), hard seams, and ill-fitting garments can cause irritation and possibly initiate an
outbreak.

Some experts recommend that women avoid the use of tampons due to the possibility of scratching of
the area from the hard applicator.  Some women feel that using a natural, unbleached cotton feminine
hygiene product is better, less irritating, and healthier than a bleached and synthetic product, and we
agree.  Try Seventh Generation, available at Whole Foods, many health food stores, and online at
www.seventhgeneration.com


Physical Health

A strong immune system is key to keeping Herpes in check and reducing the number and
severity of outbreaks.  Managing stress, getting good rest, exercising, and eating a healthy
diet are all factors that contribute to overall health and wellness.

Many HerpeSite members and friends find it especially beneficial to maintain healthy sleep and rest
patterns, to eat a diet rich in fresh, whole, live fruits and vegetables, and to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and
tobacco products.  Others report beneficial effects from yoga, aerobic exercise, and other forms of
physical enhancement.  These can benefit both your physical and emotional well-being.

Many people notice that Herpes outbreaks coincide with or follow a bout of illness such as a
cold or flu.
 We all want to avoid being sick, but most of us get a cold or two a year.  There are many
resources available on how to avoid colds and flu, but the basics bear repeating: Consciously build and
support your immune system, take good care of yourself, consume plenty of anti-oxidants, and wash
your hands frequently.  We love the powder electrolyte/anti-oxidant supplement Emergen-C
(
www.emergenc.com) and have used it for over 20 years with great results.

Take great care of your body and health by eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of water-
rich and green foods, good sources of protein (such as organic meats and wild-caught fish), and
anti-oxidant fruits and vegetables.  A good quality supplement routine that includes red, purple, and
yellow anti-oxidants, vitamins C and E, and a balanced blend of Omega essential fatty acid oils can be
extremely beneficial.  Avoid foods containing hydrogenated and partially-hydrogenated oils, as the trans-
fats in them are toxic to the body and create an unhealthy environment.  Stay away from processed,
fried, and high-fat, high-sodium foods as much as possible.  
Eating as healthy as possible not only
supports your heath and immune system, but just knowing that you're doing great things for
yourself makes you feel good, and the "feel good" hormones get released!

We've recently become familiar with the supplement line Juice Plus+, a whole food nutritional
supplement which is has been shown in studies to benefit the immune system and general health. We
consider them to be the best overall supplement products we've found, and have heard hundreds of
stories of people who've significantly improved their health and well-being.  For more information on the
science and benefits of whole food nutrition, go to
www.hollywoodjuiceplus.com.  (sponsored link)


Emotional Health

Relaxation techniques, deep breathing, yoga, exercise programs, meditation, and/or self-hypnosis have
helped many to successfully control pain, strengthen the immune system, and gain a sense of well-being
that may lead to fewer, less severe outbreaks.

Participation in a support group, either "live" or online, can help by increasing social contact, providing
access to information and encouragement from others who've "been there."  Talking about it may seem
difficult at first, but it really does help... and it's a surprise to discover how many others will say, "hey, I've
got it too!"

A course of personal development can help to reframe a person's experience, give them additional
emotional resources and strength, and renew a sense of purpose in life.  Books, audio programs, and
live workshops can all be valuable.  Some authors to consider are: Wayne Dyer, Mark Victor Hansen,
and Anthony Robbins.  Links to books by these and more can be found on the
Reading Page of
HerpeSite.

Do something nice for yourself every day!  Light candles, take a bubble bath, workout, go for a walk in
the fresh air, put on fast music and dance, watch funny movies or TV shows, get a manicure, put on your
favorite happy songs and sing along, eat your favorite guilty snack... yes, even chocolate!!!

The good news is that with time and taking good care of yourself, most people find that
outbreaks tend to reduce in both number and severity.  So that's something to look forward
to!  More tips on how to improve your physical and emotional well-being to support a healthy
and strong immune system can be found on the
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