Herpes Labialis

The term herpes, used by itself, has little significance, but the expressions herpes zoster, herpes labialis, herpes progenitalis etc., refer to definite and distinct affections. The first ui these we will describe under the name of Zoster, but the other two will be considered here.

Herpes is an affection of the skin, characterized by the development of small clusters of vesicles, usually situated on a slightly reddened or inflamed surface, and in the immediate neighbourhood of the mouth.

The vesicles appear unattended with any pain other than a slight burning or itching sensation, and last for a few hours or a day or two. They then rupture and give exit to a slight serous discharge, when they dry up and leave a surface which heals in a short time without scars. Herpes labialis usually attacks children or women, but is not commonly met with in men. It frequently comes on as a sequel of a cold, or slight febrile attack, and on this account has received the names "cold sore," "fever-sore," etc.


There may be a single group of vesicles, or there may be several, each group containing four or five vesicles. The eruption may be confined to one side of the face, affecting either the upper or lower lip, or both, or just as frequently it may appear on both sides of the mouth. A true zoster may appear on the face and invade the same regions as herpes labialis, except that the eruption is almost invariably unilateral.

The local treatment of herpes labialis involves nothing more than a little absorbent powder, or a sedative lotion - a little camphor-water being a favourite application.

The internal treatment will be taken up in the next article.