Abstract Title:

A randomized clinical trial on the treatment of oral herpes with topical zinc oxide/glycine.

Abstract Source:

Altern Ther Health Med. 2001 May-Jun;7(3):49-56. PMID: 11347285

Abstract Author(s):

H R Godfrey, N J Godfrey, J C Godfrey, D Riley

Abstract:

CONTEXT: A zinc preparation that provides a higher concentration of solubilized zinc in a minimally irritating formulation allowing controlled absorption would be of great clinical value for treating oral herpes. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of zinc oxide/glycine cream as a treatment for facial and circumoral herpes infection by measuring duration and intensity of signs and symptoms and assessing adverse effects. DESIGN: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Subjects were enrolled from the general community through advertisements. PATIENTS: Forty-six subjects with facial or circumoral herpes infections. INTERVENTION: Application of a zinc oxide/glycine cream or a placebo cream every 2 hours until cold sore resolved or 21 days elapsed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Duration of cold sore lesions, severity of signs and symptoms, and frequency of adverse effects. RESULTS: Subjects who began treatment with a zinc oxide/glycine cream within 24 hours of onset of signs and symptoms experienced a significantly shorter duration of cold sore lesions (mean, 5.0 days) than did subjects treated with a placebo cream (mean, 6.5 days). Subjects treated with the zinc oxide/glycine cream also experienced reduction in overall severity of signs and symptoms, particularly blistering, soreness, itching, and tingling. Side effects among subjects treated with zinc oxide/glycine cream were those expected from an ionic zinc salt solution. All were completely reversible and of short duration. CONCLUSION: Zinc oxide/glycine cream is an effective treatment for facial and circumoral herpes infection with predictable adverse effects that are completely reversible.

Study Type : Human Study

Print Options


Key Research Topics

This website is for information purposes only. By providing the information contained herein we are not diagnosing, treating, curing, mitigating, or preventing any type of disease or medical condition. Before beginning any type of natural, integrative or conventional treatment regimen, it is advisable to seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.

© Copyright 2008-2024 GreenMedInfo.com, Journal Articles copyright of original owners, MeSH copyright NLM.