Okay, so herpes isn't necessarily a dangerous condition. Even so, you know perfectly well that it's very aggravating! The first thing you need to remember is that you need to avoid any sexual contact when you're experiencing a blistering herpes outbreak.

Wait until all sign of the blisters have gone - when the scabs have fallen off, and new skin has grown in its 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.

The next thing you can try is a nice warm bath with baking soda. The baking soda can do a lot for you by reducing the pain, and even relieving some of those itchy feelings. When you're done with your bath, be sure you dry yourself carefully and thoroughly. You'll reduce the uncomfortable symptoms by keeping the affected areas clean and dry.

To slow viral growth during a herpes outbreak, consider 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!

You can also help speed up your healing with immune supplements. These include vitamin C, Echinacea, and goldenseal. Careful, though! Don't take Echinacea if you're allergic to ragweed. 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 natural approaches to controlling your herpes outbreak aren't helpful, call your doctor. There are several medications out there that can help relieve your symptoms, and your doctor can prescribe one.

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. You can spread the disease even through oral sexual contact. So wait a while and take care of yourself and your partner first!