Customer question:
Which herpes cream is most effective? Anonymous customer's question
Pharmacist's answer:
When choosing a herpes treatment cream, it is essential to remember that there is no "best" cream for everyone, as the effectiveness of the cream can vary from person to person. Some various creams and ointments contain active ingredients to reduce herpes symptoms and speed up healing.
The two most commonly used ingredients are:
- Aciclovir is an antiviral agent - an active substance that inhibits the reproduction of the herpes simplex virus. Acyclovir is available as a cream, ointment, or tablet.
- Penciclovir: Like acyclovir, penciclovir also works against the herpes simplex virus but is better absorbed into the skin than acyclovir. Penciclovir is usually available as a cream.
Some popular cold sore creams that contain acyclovir or penciclovir are as follows:
- Zovirax (acyclovir) is available as a cream.
- Famvir (famciclovir) is an oral medication that can treat herpes, but it is not available as a cream.
- Denavir (penciclovir): is a cream that contains penciclovir.
How do you avoid an outbreak of herpes on the lips?
The outbreak of herpes on the lips results from activating the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which has been in your body for some time. Although there is no guarantee that you can altogether avoid a herpes outbreak, there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of an outbreak or to ease the symptoms if it does occur.
Avoid touching active herpes outbreaks on the lip or other body parts. Also, avoid sharing items such as towels or dishes with people who have active outbreaks. Wash your hands regularly, especially after touching your face, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, especially if you haven't washed your hands beforehand. If you have a partner with herpes, avoid kissing during a herpes outbreak.
Protective products such as sunglasses and lip balm with an SPF can help reduce lip irritation from sun exposure and the risk of cold sores. Stress can also trigger a herpes outbreak in some people. Try to manage stress with exercise, meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques.
A healthy diet, enough sleep, and regular exercise can boost your immune system, which can help prevent herpes outbreaks. If you have frequent herpes outbreaks, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir to help control these outbreaks or reduce their frequency.
Interesting reading: The best remedy against herpes you have at home
