Herpes rash is caused by the herpes simplex viruses (HSV), type 1 or 2. According to a general observation, HSV type 2 causes genital herpes rash, while HSV type 1 causes herpes rash on other parts of the body such as face, mouth, chest, etc. HSV-2 (herpes simplex type 2) usually spreads through sexual contact. Herpes simplex type 1 is also contagious, and may spread through skin to skin contact. A person, who does not have sores can also spread this virus. In fact, most people get herpes simplex from an infected person, who does not have sores. In medical terms, this is known as 'asymptomatic viral shedding.' Till now, there is no cure for herpes. However, to avoid further complications, it is necessary to take medicines prescribed by your physician, and follow his instructions. Certain home remedies can also help reduce the severity of the symptoms. Medication and home remedies can reduce the pain related to herpes outbreak. They can also decrease the total number of outbreaks. The reason behind the fact that there is no cure for herpes skin rash is that, it is very difficult to kill or remove HSV from the body. Once it enters the body of an individual, it never leaves the body. After the first outbreak, the virus moves from the skin cells to nerve cells, and stays there forever. In this stage, the virus is said to be dormant or asleep. However, it can become active again. It gets activated under the conditions favorable for its survival. Outbreaks can occur due to general illness, fatigue, emotional stress that leads to hormonal imbalance, use of steroids, poor immune system caused by AIDS, chemotherapy, malnutrition, surgery, excessive exposure to sun, chemotherapy medication, etc. The virus does not cause any symptoms when it is dormant. Only when it becomes active, it causes the symptoms, and as a result, the person suffers from herpes rash on the body. ➺ One may experience burning pain or sensitive skin a few days prior to the outbreak of herpes rash. The skin may tingle, itch, or burn for a couple of days. ➺The rashes are itchy in nature. ➺ Swollen lymph nodes, fever, and muscle pain are some other common symptoms. ➺ The rash may start as a small blister on a red base. The blisters can be noticed between 2 - 20 days after a person has contact with an infected person. ➺ The fluid-filled blisters themselves can be painful. ➺ The blisters break, leaving tender sores. The sores may last for 7 - 10 days. They eventually become dry, crust over, and heal on their own. ➺ Usually, the first outbreak is the worst. The person may have to bear severe pain. We know how awful or dreadful herpes rash pictures are, and from those pictures only, we can imagine, how painful and embarrassing the situation must be. ➺ However, some people experience very mild herpes symptoms. ➺ In case of genital rash, one may experience pain while urinating or defecating. Some may experience discharge from the vagina or penis. ➺ Even after the rash disappears, the person may experience pain in the affected area. As mentioned earlier, herpes skin rash takes some time, but gets cured on its own. If you wish to accelerate the process of healing, you may try out some home remedies for herpes. ➺ Clean the skin rash gently with water and a mild soap 2-3 times a day. This will prevent worsening of the condition. ➺ Wrap some crushed ice in a clean cotton cloth, and place it on the rash for about 2-3 minutes. Do it several times a day to palliate the itching and burning sensation. ➺ With the help of a cotton ball, pat baking soda on the rash. This will dry it out and alleviate itching. ➺ Place a cold wet tea bag on the rash on face or any other part of the body. The tannic acid from the tea produces a soothing effect on the affected tissue. ➺ Dust cornstarch on the rash. This will also dry the blisters out, and reduce itching. ➺ Apply fresh milk on the rash. This will speed up the process of natural healing. ➺ Warm baths may relieve the pain associated with genital sores. Pain due to herpes chest rash will also be relieved after the bath. ➺ Follow a healthy diet to boost the immune system of your body. It can prevent the outbreak of rash. There are plenty of effective home remedies for rash. Still, in order to rule out the possibility of any complication emerging from this condition, one should consult a medical professional. The need for medical assistance should never be ignored, when someone develops herpes rash on chest, arm, face, or on sensitive areas like around the eyes and genitals. This is because, the infection can cause permanent damage, if the immune system of the sufferer is very poor. The infection can spread into the eyes, and can damage the vision permanently. Timely medical intervention will definitely help restore the health of the person. Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.