Herpes on Face Pictures - 49 Photos & Images

Herpes is most known as a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that attacks the genital area, causing outbreaks of oozing blisters and sores. What many people do not know is that the herpes simplex virus is very common and can also affect the face, including the lips, mouth, tongue and even eyes.

Herpes simplex is a virus that is found on the skin and when activated, can cause painful blistering. With two main types of the disease (herpes simplex I and herpes simplex II), most people do not understand that herpes simplex I is a rather common disorder and is not considered an STD (only herpes simplex II is transmitted sexually). It affects millions of people every year.

Herpes on the face can be extremely painful and very embarrassing for those who suffer with it. Causing debilitating blisters that itch, burn and scab over, herpes on the face usually affects the lips, mouth, tongue and sometimes even the eyes.

Those who have ever had a painful cold sore on the lip before probably suffers with some form of oral herpes. This is the exact strain that can cause blisters and sores on the rest of the face.

Cold sores are just one sign of herpes on the face. In most cases, an outbreak begins with a red rash that appears on the face, and quickly spreads. The rash itself may look rather raw and feel hot or burning. Flu-like symptoms like a fever, chills, aches and pains and a sore neck and/or headache may also be experienced during this pre-outbreak stage. This can last several days before nay blisters appear in and around the affected area.

After a few days of these symptoms, small red bumps may appear at the outer edges of the red rash. Soon, these smaller bumps will begin to fill with a yellowish liquid and get bigger, causing actual sores and blisters. These blisters may begin to ooze liquid, ultimately breaking completely open, and then scabbing over as the skin dries up. This is when the sores become itchy.

It can take anywhere from a week to a month for the entire outbreak to clear up, depending on how the body reacts. During this time, the blisters may spread across the entire face and mouth, or just appear in a few spots. The severity of the outbreak often depends on a person’s immune response rather than the severity of the virus. Those with a healthy immune system can usually fight off the outbreak much quicker and experience a much less severe outbreak; wile those battling other health ailments may suffer with a much more serious outbreak that can last 20-40% longer.