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Review
. 2008 Dec;54(12):1683-7.

Treatment and prevention of herpes labialis

Wim Opstelten  1 , Arie Knuistingh Neven, Just Eekhof
Affiliations
Review

Treatment and prevention of herpes labialis

Wim Opstelten et al. Can Fam Physician. 2008 Dec.

Abstract
in English, French

Objective: To review the evidence regarding the treatment and prevention of herpes labialis.

Quality of evidence: The evidence relating to treatment and prevention of herpes labialis is derived from randomized controlled trials (level I evidence).

Main message: Treatment with an indifferent cream (zinc oxide or zinc sulfate), an anesthetic cream, or an antiviral cream has a small favourable effect on the duration of symptoms, if applied promptly. This is also the case with oral antiviral medication. If antiviral medicine (cream or oral) is started before exposure to the triggering factor (sunlight), it will provide some protection. Research on sunscreens has shown mixed results: some protection has been reported under experimental conditions that could not be replicated under natural conditions. In the long term, the number of relapses of herpes labialis can be limited with oral antiviral medication.

Conclusion: Only prompt topical or oral therapy will alleviate symptoms of herpes labialis. Both topical and oral treatment can contribute to the prevention of herpes labialis.

OBJECTIF: Revoir les données concernant le traitement et la prévention de l’herpès labial.

QUALITÉ DES PREUVES: Les preuves concernant le traitement et la prévention de l’herpès labial proviennent d’essais cliniques randomisés (preuves de niveau I).

PRINCIPAL MESSAGE: Le traitement avec une crème non spécifique (oxyde ou sulfate de zinc), anesthésiante ou antivirale a un effet légèrement favorable sur la durée des symptômes à condition que la crème soit appliquée précocement. On obtient le même effet avec une médication antivirale orale. Si le traitement antiviral (en crème ou per os) est institué avant l’exposition au facteur déclenchant (lumière solaire), il conférera une certaine protection. La recherche sur les écrans solaires a donné des résultats contradictoires: dans des conditions expérimentales, on a rapporté une certaine protection mais cela n’a pu être confirmé dans des conditions naturelles. À long terme, le nombre de récidives de l’herpès labial peut être réduit par les antiviraux oraux.

CONCLUSION: Seuls un traitement topique ou une médication orale précoces peuvent soulager les symptômes de l’herpès labial. Les traitements topiques ou oraux peuvent contribuer à la prévention de l’herpès labial.

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