At-Home Remedies and OTC Options for Herpes

Written By: Dr. Diana Rangaves, PharmD

Herpes outbreaks can be inconvenient and emotionally challenging. Characterized by blisters, itching, and soreness, these outbreaks often appear suddenly and can linger for days.

Managing symptoms quickly is important to reduce the discomfort. While prescription treatments like antiviral medications are highly effective, many people also turn to at-home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) medications for relief. These solutions can help manage symptoms and offer convenience, but they’re not substitutes for medical care in severe or recurrent cases.

Here, we’ll take a deep dive into natural home remedies for herpes, compare them to prescription treatments, and offer practical advice for those looking to manage symptoms effectively.

Natural At-Home Remedies for Herpes

Natural remedies can provide soothing relief, reduce the severity of outbreaks, and support healing. While they don’t eliminate the virus, these treatments can help ease discomfort and prevent further irritation.

Topical Remedies

Applying certain natural products directly to herpes sores can reduce inflammation, speed up healing, and relieve pain. Some of the most effective topical remedies include:

• Aloe Vera: Often used for its anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera gel is believed to help soothe irritated skin and may reduce redness around affected areas when applied gently. [1]
• Tea Tree Oil: Some users find tea tree oil helpful due to its antimicrobial properties. [2] It’s commonly diluted with a carrier oil like coconut oil before use to prevent skin irritation.
• Honey: Raw honey is known for its antibacterial qualities, and some suggest it might aid in faster recovery and reduce scabbing when a small amount is applied to cold sores. [3]

Supplements and Herbal Options

Some supplements can strengthen the immune system or potentially reduce the frequency of outbreaks. Popular options include:

• Echinacea: Echinacea is a popular herbal supplement commonly used to support immune health. Its effectiveness against viral infections like herpes is still a topic of ongoing research. [4]
• Zinc: Zinc is recognized for its role in immune function, and topical or oral zinc products are frequently used by those seeking to support healing processes. [5]

Lifestyle Practices for Relief and Prevention

In addition to topical and herbal remedies, certain lifestyle practices can help manage and prevent outbreaks:

• Manage Stress Effectively: Managing stress through activities like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises is often encouraged as a general approach for maintaining balance, which some believe may help reduce the likelihood of outbreaks.
• Maintain Good Hygiene: A balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is generally recommended for overall health. Foods high in lysine, such as yogurt, beans, and leafy greens, are sometimes included in diets with the hope of potentially reducing outbreak frequency.
• Wear Loose Clothing: Tight clothing can irritate sores and delay healing. Choose soft, breathable fabrics to minimize friction and discomfort.
• Get Adequate Sleep: Poor sleep weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to outbreaks. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to maintain good health and prevent recurrences.
• Boost Immune Function Through Diet: A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins helps support your immune system. Foods high in lysine (eg, yogurt, beans, and leafy greens) may also reduce the frequency of outbreaks.
• Practice Safe Sexual Activity: To prevent spreading genital herpes to a partner, use condoms and avoid sexual contact during active outbreaks. Open communication with partners about your condition is also essential for healthy relationships.
• Avoid Smoking: Smoking weakens the immune system and can interfere with the body’s ability to heal from outbreaks. If you smoke, consider quitting or reducing your consumption to improve your overall health and reduce outbreaks.
• Use Cold or Warm Compresses: Applying a cold or warm compress to the affected area can reduce swelling, soothe discomfort, and promote healing. Cold compresses work best in the early stages to numb the area, while warm ones help after blisters have formed.
• Track and Manage Triggers: Keep a journal to track outbreaks and identify personal triggers, such as certain foods, hormonal changes, or environmental factors. Once identified, you can take steps to avoid or manage these triggers effectively.

Best Over-the-Counter Medications for Herpes

Over-the-counter medications can be useful for treating mild outbreaks and alleviating symptoms quickly. These products are readily available at pharmacies without a prescription and provide targeted relief for cold sores and genital herpes. Some of the most effective OTC herpes medications include:

• Abreva (Docosanol): This is an FDA-approved cream available over the counter that many users turn to at the first sign of a cold sore. It’s marketed as a product that may help shorten healing time if used early. [6]
• Releev: A topical product containing benzalkonium chloride, Releev is commonly used by individuals seeking relief from pain and itching associated with cold sores. [7]
• Herpecin-L Lip Balm: This lip balm contains SPF and offers protection against UV exposure, which can trigger cold sores. It also soothes and moisturizes the lips to prevent cracking and irritation.

Types of OTC Treatments for Herpes

OTC treatments for herpes come in various forms, each tailored to manage specific symptoms. The following is a breakdown of the most common types.

Creams and Ointments

Creams and ointments provide immediate relief by reducing itching and inflammation around sores. Products like Abreva and Releev fall into this category, offering fast-acting results when applied early in the outbreak.

Gels and Lotions

Some OTC products come in gel or lotion form, often containing cooling agents like menthol or lidocaine to numb the affected area. These gels provide temporary pain relief and are especially useful during the initial stages of an outbreak.

Oral Pain Relievers

OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage discomfort during an outbreak. They also reduce fever, which may accompany more severe herpes episodes.

Lip Balms With SPF

UV exposure can trigger cold sores, making it essential to protect the lips. Lip balms with SPF not only shield the skin from harmful rays but also moisturize and promote healing. Herpecin-L is a popular option for those prone to lip sores.

OTC vs Prescription Medications for Herpes

While non-prescription treatments for herpes are convenient, prescription medications offer stronger, more targeted solutions for managing herpes outbreaks. Here’s how the two compare:

Effectiveness

Prescription antivirals like Acyclovir, Valacyclovir (Valtrex), and Famciclovir work by suppressing the herpes virus, reducing the frequency and severity of outbreaks. OTC products, on the other hand, are primarily designed to alleviate symptoms rather than prevent outbreaks.

Accessibility and Convenience

OTC treatments are easy to obtain and can be purchased from any pharmacy without a prescription. They are ideal for people with mild, infrequent outbreaks who need quick symptom relief. Prescription medications require a doctor’s consultation but offer better control over recurrent or severe herpes.

Cost Considerations

OTC products are typically more affordable than prescription medications. However, for individuals who experience frequent outbreaks, the long-term cost of antiviral prescriptions may be more cost-effective, as they help prevent future episodes and reduce the need for multiple treatments.

Speed of Relief

• OTC Treatments: OTC products provide fast-acting relief for symptoms such as pain, itching, and inflammation. For example, Abreva can reduce the healing time of cold sores if applied at the first sign of tingling. However, these products are less effective if the outbreak is already well-developed.
• Prescription Medications: Prescription antivirals may take longer to produce noticeable relief compared to some OTC creams, but they offer sustained control over outbreaks. When taken promptly, they can reduce the duration of symptoms and prevent the development of more severe sores.

Everlywell Genital Herpes Treatment

Managing herpes requires a combination of the right treatments and healthy lifestyle choices. While OTC products and home remedies offer accessible symptom relief, prescription medications provide more targeted, long-term control for those with frequent outbreaks. However, understanding your body and identifying triggers is key to staying ahead of flare-ups.

If you’re looking for an easy, discreet way to understand your health better, consider Everlywell. Everlywell offers a range of at-home health tests, including sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests, allowing you to take control of your health from the comfort of your home. You can also get genital herpes prescription treatment through Everlywell.

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2. Schnitzler P, Schön K, Reichling J. Antiviral activity of Australian tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil against herpes simplex virus in cell culture. Pharmazie. 2001;56(4):343-347.
3. Mandal MD, Mandal S. Honey: its medicinal property and antibacterial activity. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2011;1(2):154-160. doi:10.1016/S2221-1691(11)60016-6
4. National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health. Echinacea. Last updated July 2020. Accessed November 11, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
5. Prasad AS. Zinc in human health: effect of zinc on immune cells. Mol Med. 2008;14(5-6):353-357. doi:10.2119/2008-00033
6. ABREVA- docosanol cream. DailyMed. Updated June 20, 2024. Accessed October 30, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
7. RELEEV cold sore treatment. Merix Pharmaceutical Corp. Revised July 2022. Accessed October 30, 2024. Medical Citation URL.