When we notice an itchy rash developing in certain parts of our body, it may become a source of alarm for us.  Could it be the onset of a herpes outbreak?  Looking at pictures of herpes sores may help us identify whether we have contracted the disease but it must be kept in mind that there are other illnesses which have symptoms which can be mistaken for herpes. 

Itchiness or irritation in the vaginal area can be a sign of an outbreak of genital herpes but it may also be a symptom of something less serious such as a yeast infection.  Check pictures of genital herpes outbreak to make sure.  Yeast infection also known as Candidiasis or thrush is a fungal infection which causes itchiness, redness and discomfort in the vagina.  Besides itchiness, soreness or a burning sensation in the vagina, thrush is also manifested by a whitish, cottage cheese-like discharge.  Yeast infection can also affect males and its symptoms commonly include severe itching or a burning sensation on the penis and red patchy rashes near the head of the penis or the foreskin.  Yeast infections commonly do not produce blistering.

The appearance of canker sores may also be mistaken as oral herpes.  Looking at herpes pictures of sores in the mouth will show that there is a difference between the sores and blisters brought about by a herpes attack and the appearance of canker sores.  Canker sores are commonly gray in color and have a distinct edge.  Moreover, canker sores may disappear in ten to fourteen days without treatment.  While the causes of canker sores is not exactly known, but citrus fruits, lack of sleep, hormonal changes, menstruation, and vitamin deficiencies have been known to trigger canker sores.

Molluscum contagiosum sounds like one of the spells the characters of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series would shout out during a duel but it is actually a viral infection of the skin.  It also manifests itself as lesions in the skin but unlike those caused by herpes, these are raised and with a central dimple.   The virus is also spread by skin to skin contact or touching and scratching the bumps and then touching the skin.  Molluscum is contagious until the bumps disappear.  Treatment of molluscum is often unnecessary as the bumps and lesions eventually disappear once the virus runs its course.  Moreover, once the symptoms have disappeared the virus which causes molluscum is gone, unlike the herpes virus which enters into a dormant stage in the human nervous system.

The most definitive way to determine the presence of herpes, aside from using vaginal herpes pictures, is still to have yourself examined by a medical specialist.