A Randomized Exploratory Study to Investigate the Inflammatory Response During an Ultraviolet-Radiation-Induced Cold Sore Episode.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Antivirals and occlusive lip patches are key treatments for cold sores. Additional therapeutic options, and validated methods to evaluate these, are needed.

Methods

This exploratory, double-blind, single-center study aimed to evaluate a novel lip patch containing the antiviral aciclovir (ACV) using noninvasive methods for measuring cold sore-associated inflammation. Healthy subjects with ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced cold sores were randomized to 10 days' treatment with a lip patch containing ACV (N = 12) or without ACV (N = 13). Outcome measures included blood flux (field laser perfusion imaging, FLPI), skin temperature (thermography), and skin redness (high-resolution color photography, HRCP).

Results

Mean blood flux (in perfusion units) and skin

SUBMITTER: Veltri J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8163941 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature