PROBLEM: Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a highly contagious virus that manifests as a painful lesion and recurrences can be distressing to patients.
PURPOSE: Determine if the use of a 70% ethanol alcohol hand sanitizer alters the duration, size of the lesion, level of pain upon administering treatment, and overall daily discomfort during outbreak.
METHODS: This study was a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Medical-grade mineral oil was used for the control group and experimental group used 70% ethanol alcohol hand sanitizer. Data was collected through the initial examination, a daily journal, photographs, and a re-examination day. Descriptive statistics and the independent sample t-test were used to analyze data (p=0.05).
RESULTS: A total of 20 individuals completed the study; 10 individuals for each group. The mean duration of HSV-1 lesions for the control group was 10.3 days; the mean duration for the experimental group was 7.6 days. The mean size of lesions for the control group was 4.87mm; the mean size for the experimental group was 4.25mm. The mean pain score for the control group was 1.08; the mean pain score for the experimental group was 2.74. The mean discomfort score for the control group was 1.33; the mean discomfort score for the experimental group was 1.72. There was no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups regarding duration, size of lesions, pain, and discomfort; therefore, the null hypothesis was not rejected.
CONCLUSION: Based on this pilot study, 70% ethanol alcohol hand sanitizer did not demonstrate statistical significance in the treatment of HSV-1. Additional research is needed with a larger sample size to determine if statistical differences can be measured.
IRB#: FY2022-172
All abstract authors: Amanda Gibbs, RDH, MS Leciel Bono, RDH-ER, MS, EdD(c), FADHA JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, AAFAAOM, FADHA
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