Herpes simplex is an exceedingly common viral infection, with roughly 50 to 80 percent of American adults impacted by oral herpes (HSV-1) and 16 percent infected with genital herpes (HSV-2). If you’ve ever had a cold sore or fever blister, you’ve picked up the herpes simplex virus. New Jersey’s Skin & Laser Center of NJ explains that the most common virus causing cold sores on the mouth is herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). A closely related herpes simplex virus, HSV-2, causes most cases of genital herpes. However, either HSV-1 or HSV-2 can cause a sore on the face or genitals. Most people get HSV-1 as an infant or child when an adult kisses them or pinches their cheeks. The virus is spread by skin-to-skin contact with someone who carries the virus. A person usually gets HSV-2 (herpes simplex type 2) through sexual contact with an infected person.
Once a person becomes infected with a herpes virus, the virus never leaves the body. After the first outbreak, the virus moves from the skin cells to nerve cells. The virus stays in the nerve cells forever. Once there, the virus is said to be dormant or asleep, but it can become active again. The virus can be woken up by certain triggers—including stress, illness or surgery, fever, sun exposure, and menstruation—causing a flareup of symptoms. While herpes simplex can’t be cured, the team at Skin & Laser Center of NJ offers effective, discreet treatment to mitigate symptoms and any discomfort they might cause.
In late 2016 she founded the Skin & Laser Center of NJ, LLC in Mahwah, NJ where she continues to treat her medical and cosmetic patients, and further pursues her interest in laser medicine. Dr. Lieb’s mission is to provide high quality dermatologic care using up-to-date medical information and cutting edge technology in an efficiently run practice. Dr. Lieb is board certified in dermatology, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, a member of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the New Jersey Dermatologic Society. Dr. Lieb is a Staff Dermatologist at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood.
While the vast majority of patients affected by the herpes simplex virus are never aware of the condition, others experience a range of symptoms including:
The first time sores appear, they may show up between two and 20 days after being in contact with an infected person. With the oral form (HSV-1), most blisters appear on the lips or around the mouth, but may also form on the face, tongue, or anywhere on the skin. They can last for one to three weeks. With the genital form (HSV-2), sores typically occur on the penis, vagina, buttocks, or anus. Like oral herpes, these sores can appear anywhere on the skin, but can last one to six weeks. Genital herpes lesions may cause trouble urinating or a burning feeling while urinating.
Note that herpes simplex virus can spread to one or both eyes. If this happens, you may experience pain, light sensitivity, discharge, and a gritty feeling in the eye. Without prompt treatment, scarring of the eye may result, causing cloudy vision and even loss of vision.
Some people who get the herpes simplex virus never see or feel anything.
Before identifying the best treatment option for you, a dermatologist will examine your sores in order to provide a formal diagnosis. The dermatologist may swab the sore and send the sample to a laboratory for confirmation of this diagnosis. These options are only available during a herpes simplex outbreak, but a diagnosis can also be achieved with other medical tests, including a blood test.
Following your herpes simplex diagnosis at Skin & Laser Center of NJ, the following treatment options are available:
Skin & Laser Center of NJ can also diagnose and manage other viral skin conditions, such as shingles, as well as rashes related to a range of triggers, such as poison ivy.
Skin & Laser Center of NJ in Ramsey provides a wide range of medical, surgical, and cosmetic services for patients in and around New Jersey. Patients can get diagnosis and treatment for acne, skin cancer (with Mohs surgery), chronic conditions (like psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema), moles, melasma, vitiligo, athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, scabies, contact dermatitis, and more. Cosmetic options include wrinkle-relaxing BOTOX® and Dysport®, dermal fillers like Juvederm® and Restylane®, Kybella® for reducing a double chin, chemical peels, Hydrafacial MD, microneedling, laser hair removal, laser acne treatments, laser scar treatments, laser tattoo removal, CoolSculpting®, laser vein treatments, sclerotherapy, and more.
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