Is herpes contagious? A common skin infectious disease

Herpes is a common skin disease. This skin disease is contagious. People with herpes will have yellow or transparent blisters on their skin, usually in patches. To prevent herpes, you must take frequent baths, especially in the hot summer.

1. Is herpes contagious?

Herpes is contagious. Herpes simplex and genital herpes are caused by the herpes simplex virus and manifest as localized clusters of painful blisters that recur periodically. It is mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse, and secondly through indirect contact, mother-to-child transmission, and medical-related infection.

2. Causes of Herpes

Acantholysis (30%):

Due to the degeneration of intercellular bridges (desmosomes and tension filaments, etc.) in the epidermis, the cells lose their tight connection and become loose, thus forming cracks, blisters or blisters in the epidermis. Acantholysis can be caused by autoimmune factors, such as pemphigus. Acantholysis caused by genetic factors is seen in chronic familial benign eczema and keratosis follicularis.

Basal cell liquefaction (20%):

Basal cell liquefaction refers to the cavitation or fragmentation of epidermal basal cells. In severe cases, the basal cell layer disappears and the spinous cells are in direct contact with the dermis. Immune, genetic and drug allergies are often the causes of basal cell liquefaction, which is seen in hereditary epidermolysis macrocarcinoma, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, etc. The causes of basement membrane lesions are autoimmune and genetic. Watery dysentery diseases caused by basement membrane lesions include pemphigoid carcinoma, herpes gestationis, dermatitis herpetiformis, etc.

Balloon and reticular degeneration (15%):

Due to intracellular edema, the volume of epidermal cells increases, forming a balloon shape. The cells swell and rupture, and the adjacent remaining cell membranes connect into multiple reticular septa, finally forming multilocular ulcers, which are more common in viral infectious skin diseases.

3. Herpes Prevention

1. Keep your skin clean and take a bath every day. In hot weather, you can wash 2-3 times a day. Dress appropriately and avoid excessive sweating.

2. Protect your skin from damage and keep your clothes and bedding soft. Keep your nails trimmed to avoid scratching the cuticle.

3. Avoid contact with people with skin infections and wash your hands frequently.