It is important to both be able to recognize the symptoms of a herpes outbreak and recognize the stage of the infection. This allows you to understand how the herpes virus is affecting your body, and allows you to treat is as early as possible. Early treatments decreases risk of further pain and/or complications.
What does herpes outbreak look like in all stages?
Herpes sores typically develop in the following six known stages. First check the guidelines about herpes stages timeline.
Stage One — Prodrome
Prodrome is the warning stage of the herpes virus. Right before the outbreak begins, your body often shows signs that it’s coming. During prodrome, you might experience pain underneath your skin along with itchy or tingly skin.
During the prodrome of your first herpes outbreak, you are more likely to experience painful symptoms. Sometimes, prodrome will even cause you to have flu-like symptoms.
Sometimes, herpes patients will not notice that they are in prodrome and will not have the infection treated before it worsens.
Stage Two — Skin Redness
Following prodrome, the areas of skin affected by the herpes virus will become red and extremely sensitive.
Sometimes, the skin in the area of outbreak will rise up as the virus reaches the skin’s surface. Stage two can last anywhere from one to four days. During this stage, patients are very contagious.
Stage Three — Formation of Blisters
The next stage of a herpes outbreak is the formation of blisters. Blisters are filled with fluid and can be white, red, or clear. They will appear on the swollen area of the skin and remain there for around two days.
Sometimes they develop in clusters and other times they will develop separately. They can be very sensitive to the touch, so patients are advised to avoid touching them.
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Stage Four — Ulceration
After stage three, the blisters will begin to pop and release liquid, causing wet ulcers. When experiencing a herpes outbreak, you want to stay away from any kissing or sexual contact. The virus can be spread through the liquids released from the ulcers. Sores typically stay open for one to four days.
Stage Five — Scabbing
After all the fluid is drained, the lesions dry out, causing a scab to emerge. Sometimes blisters won’t become scabs at all, they just disappear slowly until they’re not visible. Scabs will fall off after a few days, leaving the skin healed.
To avoid potential scarring, you should avoid touching and picking at the scabs.
Stage Six — Complete Healing
After a scab has fallen off or a lesion has completely faded from the skin, your sores are ‘completely healed. They could still appear red, but as you recover the red color will fade away. It can take anywhere between three and seven days to finish healing. During this time, it is advised to avoid sexual intercourse to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.
What does healing from a herpes outbreak look like
When Is It Safe To Have Sex Again?
At any point during the outbreak, it is unsafe to have sex. The only thing you can do is wait it out. Once you are completely healed, you can safely resume sexual intercourse.
During a herpes outbreak, there is medication your doctor can prescribe to you. This medication will not make intercourse safe, but it can help with any itching or pain you may experience during an outbreak.
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For more guidance on dealing with herpes outbreak, see the articles:
What does herpes look like in six stages?
How to tell if a herpes outbreak is coming?
When a herpes outbreak is over?
The first herpes outbreak: What it's like & how long it lasts
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