Prevention of ultraviolet-light-induced herpes labialis by sunscreen.
Sunlight exposure is reported by some patients to precede onset of recurrent herpes labialis. Ultraviolet (UV) B light is known to be a stimulus for the reactivation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. We assessed the effect of a sunblocking agent on UV-light-induced reactivation of recurrent herpes labialis in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. 38 patients were exposed on two separate occasions to four minimum erythema doses of UV light at an area of previous labial herpes recurrence. A solution containing sunscreen was applied to the lips before one exposure and a matched placebo before the other. After placebo and UV exposure, herpes labialis developed in 27 (71%) of the 38 patients, with a mean time to recurrence of 2.9 (SEM 0.2) days. In contrast, when sunscreen was applied before UV exposure, no lesions developed, but 1 of the 35 patients shed virus at the exposure site. We conclude that UV light is a potent stimulus for inducing reactivation of herpes labialis, and that application of sunscreen may be effective in the prevention of sunlight-induced recurrent infection.
Laboratory of Oral Medicine, National Institute of Dental Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
J F
JF
Rooney
Y
Y
Bryson
M L
ML
Mannix
M
M
Dillon
C R
CR
Wohlenberg
S
S
Banks
C J
CJ
Wallington
A L
AL
Notkins
S E
SE
Straus
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications; D006560:Herpes Labialis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects
D013473:Sunscreening Agents