Lip Balms for Viral Lesions

Compounding allows pharmacists to create customized medications that are tailored to each person’s unique needs. Compounded medications come in several forms, including pills, lotions, lollipops, and medicated lip balms.

Medicated lip balms are commonly compounded to help soothe and treat viral lesions on the lips.

What are viral lesions?

Viral lesions, sometimes also called cold sores or fever blisters, are fluid-filled sores that form on or around the lips. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex type 1 virus and are contagious. Before blisters form, you may experience tingling, tenderness, or burning. After blisters become visible, they will open and release the fluid, scab over, and then start to heal. On average, cold sores take seven-to-ten day to fully heal.

During this time, the blisters and area around the blisters may be painful and also be accompanied by cold or flu-like symptoms. Compounded, medicated lip balms can help provide relief from some of these symptoms and reduce the healing time.

How do medicated lip balms work?

Compounded lip balms allow your pharmacist to create a treatment that is tailored to your individual needs. Your pharmacist will work with you and your doctor to make an effective medication that you will want to use.

Compounded lip balms for viral lesions can contain a variety of ingredients, but regardless of what they are made of, they will all be portable, easy to apply, and soothing. Some of the most common ingredients are:

• Local anesthetics, like lidocaine, that are used to numb the area
• Anti-inflammatory medications that reduce swelling and ease the pain
• Anti-viral medications, like acyclovir or valacyclovir, which can reduce the overall healing time if applied at the first sign of a cold sore

Working with your ReNue Rx pharmacist to create the right product for you can help you combat the symptoms of painful cold sores. If you’re interested in learning more about how compounding can help you fight cold sores, contact your ReNue Rx compounding pharmacist.