I have often wondered if there is special care you should take during an outbreak. I mean do you make sure not to touch the area? Do you clean it several times per day, and with what? I have been using hydrogen peroxide lately... I don't know if that is good or bad. I also wash it with antibacterial soap, but it's a virus not bacteria. Thanks for you replies in advance.

Hey, sillywilly, I just got back from a backpacking trip or I would have answered your post sooner. Usually you can get this kind of info from searching the board, and so many of us have answered this kind of question so often that we often don't respond. Don't think it's 'cause we don't care.

I wash normally (morning and night) with neutrogena soap (not actually soap, but a cleansing bar that's gentler on your skin.) I use two washcloths, one for the rest of my body, one for my genital area. During my period, of course, I wash more often, sore or no. When it seems I'm getting an ob, I apply garlic oil (see the "garlic oil" post recently) gently to the area. Then I wash my hands for at least 20 seconds, also with the neutrogena. Every time my hands go near this area, I wash them. (After my hands dry I put on some Eucerin lotion.)

I think this is sufficient, and is a routine that lets you forget about the h and relax. The only other thing I do or take is, first, a multivitamin from the health food store, and, second, raw garlic sprinkled on top of bread or my dinner during an ob.

Good luck, and peace.

Thank you for your response backpacker!