A woman's hand with Acyclovir Cream on the index finger and a red background

Acyclovir Cream: The Best
Option For Herpes

By Lizzie De La Cruz
May 5, 2021

There isn't a situation in the world that could somehow be improved by a herpes flare-up on your body. It's never an enjoyable addition to the situation. While not curable, medications are available to ease symptoms and get you comfortable again. Check with your doctor and they'll almost certainly prescribe acyclovir creams, and for good reason.

What is Acyclovir Cream?

Acyclovir cream is a topical antiviral medication that, when applied to the affected areas, can stop the growth of the viral outbreak on your skin. Application of acyclovir cream can also reduce symptoms, such as pain and itching, and speed up the healing of any existing sores.

How Do You Apply Acyclovir Cream?

You should apply acyclovir cream to your body's affected areas as soon as you notice any signs of an infection. Ensure that the skin of the application area is cleaned and dried before applying the cream to maximize the antiviral effects. Apply cream to cover all areas with redness, sores, or painful tingling.

Acyclovir cream is a topical medication only and you should make sure that the cream does not get into your eyes, mouth, nose, or any other bodily orifices. If this does occur, flush those areas with clean water. When applying cream directly to sores, use disposable rubber gloves to apply the cream in order to prevent spread of the infection.

Based on your medical condition and your specific infection, your doctor will prescribe a dosage for your case; however, this medication is generally prescribed for 4 or 5 days with an application every 3-4 hours. Acyclovir cream works best when it is applied at evenly spaced times, so do your best to be consistent.

Making Sure You Get the Best Results

For your best possible results with acyclovir cream, there are some things you should look out for:

Remember that this treatment is not a cure for herpes and does not prevent the spread of the virus to others. Try to avoid close physical contact with others while experiencing an outbreak.
Do not apply other skin products, such as lotions, to the infection area. This can disrupt the medication's application or spread your infection.
Do not apply acyclovir cream more often or in larger amounts than prescribed by your doctor.
Avoid any activity that would cause the application areas to be wet (bathing, swimming, etc.). This could cause medication to be washed off instead of absorbed through the skin.

Herpes may not be a virus that we can cure, but proper treatment of herpes symptoms can help control your outbreaks and speed up recovery. There's no reason that your life has to be at the virus's mercy. Your time is still your own, and treatment can make sure that it stays that way. Timely application of acyclovir cream can make sure that you are happy, healthy, and able to get back out there to live your best life again. Visit Wisp to learn more about how to manage your outbreaks and get back to your life!