povidone-iodine and Herpes-Labialis

Herpes labialis, a common condition characterized by recurrent vesicular eruptions primarily on the lips and perioral skin, causes pain and discomfort for millions of adults each year. Over the past several years, the major focus of herpes research has been on the treatment of genital herpes. However, several studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of therapies specifically for herpes labialis. Last year in Cutis, we reviewed oral and topical therapies for herpes labialis. In this final part of the series, we review experimental and natural treatments that are available for herpes labialis and its associated symptoms.

Topics: Butylated Hydroxytoluene; Herpes Labialis; Humans; Idoxuridine; Iontophoresis; Lysine; Plant Preparations; Povidone-Iodine

An open-label, randomised, parallel-group efficacy study was designed to compare Betadine cold sore paint and Stoxil topical ointment for the prevention of shedding of herpes simplex virus (HSV) from cold sores. Seventy-two patients aged 18-61 years (mean 32.2 years), with symptoms indicating recent onset of herpes labialis, were entered into the study. Patients were randomised to receive Betadine cold sore paint, Stoxil topical ointment or no treatment. To detect infectious virus, swabs were taken for virus culture before and 2 h after treatment. The no-treatment control group was included to monitor the efficiency of the swabbing technique. The primary measure of efficacy was the proportion of patients in each group returning a swab positive for HSV prior to treatment application and negative for HSV 2 h after treatment application. All 72 patients completed the study. HSV clearance rates were 0.636 for the Betadine treatment group and 0.092 for the Stoxil treatment group (p = 0.00056). It was concluded that recovery of infectious HSV from the lips of patients who applied Betadine cold sore paint to their lesions was significantly lower than from patients who applied Stoxil topical ointment.

Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Antiviral Agents; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Herpes Labialis; Humans; Idoxuridine; Iodophors; Lip; Male; Middle Aged; Ointments; Povidone-Iodine; Simplexvirus; Virus Shedding