So maybe you know that herpes is not exactly a life-threatening condition. Nevertheless, you know it's extremely unpleasant! One of the first things you should remember is that you need to avoid sexual contact during the herpes outbreak.

Delay until there isn't a single trace of your blisters. That means you've waited for the scabs to fall off and for new skin to grow in their place. And in the meantime, there are lots of things you can do to help diminish the discomfort. A good first step is to use an ice pack. The cold ice will ease the pain and reduce the swelling that comes with genital herpes.

Next, try a warm bath with baking soda. The baking soda will also help with pain, and it should go a long way to relieve the itching as well. After you're finished, take your time to dry yourself very thoroughly and very carefully. You want the affected area to be dry and clean, which will ease your suffering.

To help retard the viral growth during a herpes outbreak, try taking some natural supplements. L-lysine, an amino acid, slows viral growth, and zinc and other antioxidants may help, too.

At the same time, avoid eating foods that suppress L-lysine, such as nuts, dairy products, meat, seeds, oats, and corn. A limited diet is left, to be sure, but it's better than a prolonged outbreak!

Then there's Echinacea, vitamin C, and golden seal... these are immune supplements that can help speed up the healing process. But remember, if you're allergic to ragweed, avoid Echinacea! Keep in mind that the most natural and effective immune boosters include sleep and reduced stress.

Treat your blisters with a topical solution. Use something like tea tree oil, a natural topical antiseptic. It can be applied several times daily at half or full strength.

If none of these natural approaches helps to get your herpes outbreak under control, get in touch with your doctor. He or she might prescribe one of several medications that are on the market to relieve symptoms.

Just remember that there isn't a single treatment that can cure herpes, nor can they prevent the disease from spreading. That goes for natural and pharmaceutical remedies. Even oral sexual contact may spread the disease, so take care of yourself and your partner and wait a while!