title: Recurrent herpes labialis in skiers. Clinical observations and effect of sunscreen.
abstract: Recurrent orofacial herpes infection may be triggered by high altitude skiing, presumably because of solar ultraviolet radiation exposure. Six (12%) of a group of 51 subjects with a history of skiing-triggered herpes observed during 1 week of high altitude skiing experienced reactivations of orofacial herpes a median of 3 1/2 days after exposure. Within this group, application of a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 failed to influence the reactivation rate as compared with a placebo. Reactivation of herpes triggered by skiing is common. As application of a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 did not appear to influence the reactivation rate, alternate approaches to the control of recurrent orofacial herpes are needed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D005260:Female; D006560:Herpes Labialis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012865:Skiing; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents