What Do Herpes Look Like?

WARNING! PICTURES BELOW NOT SAFE FOR WORK.

What do herpes look like when it first appears? How does herpes feel like? How do you know if you have it?

These were the first few questions I asked myself when I first gotten some signs and symptoms that seemed like herpes. 

If you’re wondering about the same things then you might be freaking out right now. That’s normal.

Herpes outbreaks can look different on each person. Below are some pictures and information about how herpes can look like on a primary or recurrent outbreak. These sores can also appear on the lips, eyes, fingers, and genital area. 

If you are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms, the best thing to do is to go see your family doctor or healthcare specialist for a herpes blood test. You can get a herpes blood test near your home within days by using a service like STDcheck. 

Only then can you know for sure if you have the herpes virus in your body. Don’t solely rely on these pictures or what you read on the internet for a diagnosis. 

What do herpes look like on the lips?

Herpes on the lips is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus type 1.

It is a tiny virus that prefers to reside around the oral or mouth region.

Other names for this infection are cold sores or fever blisters because these herpes sores begin to appear when a person gets sick or stressed. 

Lip herpes start off as a tingling or itchy sensation in the lips and around it which gradually progress into red rashes that form blisters.

They go away on their own after a few days but they can get annoying especially when an important event, job interview, or date is coming up.

What do herpes look like on females?

Female genital herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus type 2.

It is estimated that 1 in 6 adults in the US alone have herpes with women more prone to the virus than men. This is because the moist environment of the vagina provides a good breeding ground for the herpes virus to multiply. 

Genital herpes on females start off as a prickly sensation around the genital area which then erupts into tiny ulcers that may bleed or contain pus.

It can get very painful to pee or move about. So before the symptoms start, best is to take your herpes medication immediately to lessen the duration of the herpes outbreak.

What do herpes look like on males?

Male genital herpes is also caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus type 2. The herpes virus likes to hide on the nerve cells at the base of the spine then travels up the initial site of infection when irritated.

Herpes in males can appear anywhere on the shaft or scrotum of the penis. In some cases, the sores can also reach the thighs or buttocks. 

I remember having about 4 to 6 of these bad boys when I first had my primary outbreak. I was in extreme shock and disbelief. I went to see my doctor soon after and that’s when I got a test for herpes. 

I look at it now as a turning point in my life—to take good care of my body. Herpes made me realize I had to cease my damaging lifestyle habits altogether and start living healthily.

Thankfully, I didn’t need to worry about spending a fortune on my antiviral medication because I got them all from off-shore pharmacies like 4rx.

Final Words on What Do Herpes Look Like

Herpes sores can also appear on the fingers as Herpes Whitlow, or on the eyes as Ocular Herpes. There is also the condition of Neonatal Herpes that happens when a herpes positive mother passes on the virus to their baby upon vaginal delivery.

Yes, herpes can have many forms. But the important thing to remember is that, you are highly contagious when the sores start to appear on the affected areas. So you shouldn’t be kissing (for oral herpes) nor having sex (for genital herpes) during this period.

The trick here is to understand your body. Recognize when the warning signs start to appear (that could be a fever or prickly sensation that crawls over your skin). This is because even without the signs and symptoms of herpes, you can still pass on the virus due to asymptomatic shedding. 

However, you can still have great sex with herpes! Just make sure that you take your antiviral medication and are well-informed about the virus so you can protect your health and the health of others.

Knowing what do herpes look like is the first step in understanding the herpes virus.

Back to Top of What Do Herpes Look Like page

Back to Herpes Photos page

Back to Happy with Herpes home page