Various creams for the treatment of lip herpes:

Zovirax® contains the anti-viral drug Aciclovir. The cream is used for the local therapy of lip herpes. Zovirax® combats itching and can shorten the duration of the infection if applied early enough.

Zovirax® contains the active ingredient acyclovir in combination with propylene glycol, a penetration enhancer. Thanks to this formula, the lip cream is quickly absorbed into the deep layers of the skin, where it inhibits virus replication in the affected cells. However, for a successful treatment of the fever blister, it is important that the cream is applied at an early stage.

Zovirax® should be applied to the infected area several times a day every four hours. The treatment period is usually five days. Zovirax® is considered well tolerated and redness or allergic skin reactions are very rare.

The drug Pencivir® contains the patented active ingredient penciclovir, an antiviral drug designed to inhibit the multiplication of viruses after the onset of cold sores. Pencivir® can be used at the first sign of an outbreak of infection and relieves pain and itching. Several clinical studies have shown that Pencivir® shortens the natural healing process and accelerates crust formation.

The cream is applied widely over the affected area every two hours throughout the day and should be applied at least 6 times a day. The treatment is continued for four days. Pencivir® can be applied at the first tingling sensation as well as when fever blisters have already opened and is also available as a tinted lip cream.

Compared with acyclovir, penciclovir has the advantage that it can be successfully applied even when the disease is already more advanced. Acic® contains acyclovir as the active ingredient and is used to relieve itching and pain in herpes infections of the lips and in the genital area. In addition, Acic® can be used by people with a limited immune system as a precaution against infections with the herpes simplex virus.

Aciclovir prevents further spread of the virus, resulting in faster resolution of symptoms and faster healing. The drug Elac® contains the anti-viral drug acyclovir as the active ingredient and is used to treat frequently recurring cold sores. By combating viral replication, the progression of the infection is stopped, the itching and pain are relieved, and the natural healing process is accelerated.

For burning and itchy skin, Fenistil® Gel has a cooling and moisturizing effect. Fenistil® inhibits histamine, an endogenous substance that causes itching. However, the cream does not contain antivirals and applying it at the first symptoms of a fever blister does not prevent the outbreak.

Fenistil® is therefore not suitable for the treatment of lip herpes. Zinc ointments such as Virudermin® Gel are considered to be well tolerated and can be used to treat cold sores. The zinc sulphate contained in the gel inhibits the penetration of viruses into the host cell and promotes wound healing. However, therapy with zinc ointment only leads to success in the early phases of the herpes outbreak.