What Not to Put on Herpes

Many people seek out non-medical and alternative treatments for herpes. However, many of these preparations and purported solutions have no medically appreciable effect on the presentation of herpes and some of them may actually cause symptoms to worsen. Remember that there is no cure for herpetic conditions and that you should only use therapies to treat your herpes, either oral or genital, that have been approved by your medical doctor.

Topical Treatments

• Topical treatments are available for the relief of herpes symptoms. These include topical acyclovir for genital herpes and topical antiviral and steroidal medications for oral herpes. However, according to Epigee, the topical form of treatment for genital herpes is the least effective method of treatment. Persons seeking topical (especially over-the-counter) relief from herpetic conditions should first consult a physician about the efficacy of the treatment.

Home Remedies

• There are many purported home treatments for herpes. However, no home remedy is approved for the treatment of herpes. There is no evidence that any of these preparations lead to an improvement in herpes symptoms and both ingredients and preparation methods could cause a delay of relief.

Avoiding Irritation

• According to GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of Valtrex, an antiviral drug used in the treatment of herpes, it is important to avoid irritation of the affected area during an outbreak. There are steps you can take, including keeping the area clean and dry, wearing loose clothing and cotton underwear, and applying ice packs to the affected region.