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It was reported on an American news site at the end of 2010 that a team of researchers from the Chicago Center for Facial Plastic Surgery in the United States is currently looking into the use of <a href="/treatment/botulinum-toxin/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">botulinum toxin</a> type A, namely <a href="/treatment/botox" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Botox</a>®, for the treatment of cold sores, caused by the virus herpes simplex, which usually appears around the lips causing much embarrassment for the sufferer.
The theory behind the research is that the herpes virus lies dormant in the nerve roots of a sufferer and is only activated when their immune system is lowered, perhaps by a common cold. At this point the virus is activated and migrates along the nerve, culminating in the painful, tingling, blistering and crusting skin breakdown typical of a code sore
Therefore it is thought that the effect that the Botox has on the nerves which send signals to the muscles, such as happens when used in cosmetic techniques on the face to ‘paralyze’ specific muscles, would result in the virus also being blocked, hence the virus is forced to remain dormant in the nerves and cannot produce the tell-tale cold sores.

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It was reported on an <a href="http://topnews.us/content/229213-botox-be-tested-treating-herpes" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">American news site</a> at the end of 2010 that a team of researchers from the Chicago Center for Facial Plastic Surgery in the United States is currently looking into the use of <a title="Botulinum Toxin Information" href="http://consultingroom.com/treatments/botulinum-toxin" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">botulinum toxin type A</a>, namely <a title="Information on Botox" href="http://consultingroom.com/treatments/botox" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Botox®</a>, for the treatment of cold sores, caused by the virus herpes simplex, which usually appear around the lips causing much embarrassment for the sufferer.
The theory behind the research is that the herpes virus lies dormant in the nerve roots of a sufferer and is only activated when their immune system is lowered, perhaps by a common cold. At this point the virus is activated and migrates along the nerve, culminating in the painful, tingling, blistering and crusting skin breakdown typical of a code sore.
Therefore it is thought that the effect that the Botox has on the nerves which send signals to the muscles, such as happens when used in cosmetic techniques on the face to ‘paralyse’ specific muscles, would result in the virus also being blocked, hence the virus is forced to remain dormant in the nerves and cannot produce the tell-tale cold sores.
We asked <a title="Dr. David Eccleston" href="http://www.consultingroom.com/Our_Advisers/Profile.asp?Our_Experts_ID=21&Expert_Name=Dr%20David%20Eccleston%20M.B.%20Ch.B.%20B.A.C.D" target="_self">Dr. David Eccleston</a>, Clinical Director at Medizen and adviser to The Consulting Room™ who has been using botulinum toxins since 1994 in cosmetic techniques in all areas of the face, for the treatment of migraine, tension headache, tooth grinding and excessive sweating, for his expert opinion on this proposed new use.
“Firstly, these are very early days, and it would not be right to raise hope in the millions of sufferers from cold sores until we have some real evidence for efficacy”; said David.
“Botox® works by preventing the release of a chemical called acetylcholine at the nerve ending which thus stops messages being 'sent' to the muscle or sweat gland that the nerve is attached to. This explains the effect of the product in treating those facial wrinkles caused by muscular contraction such as the frown and crow's feet lines, and in the treatment of excessive armpit sweating or '<a title="Hyperhidrosis Information and Treatment Options" href="http://consultingroom.com/treatments/hyperhidrosis-excessive-sweating" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">hyperhidrosis</a>'.”
“The logic follows that if the nerve is stopped from working by Botox®, then the virus will not be able to migrate into the nerve endings in the skin. This is just a theory, as nerve conduction from the root involves many other chemical processes. Most importantly, the product has never been trialled by the manufacturer for the management of cold sores, and a single-centre investigative study which is not endorsed by the manufacturer of the drug has little clinical relevance. Were some significant results to be achieved in this investigator-initiated study, then the manufacturer may well decide to organise a multi-centre placebo-controlled clinical study involving large numbers of patients. It is only through analysing this quality and quantity of data that one can deliver proof of efficacy, which is the first step to applying for and gaining a medical licence for a new indication for treatment with the product.”
The specialists involved in the clinical trial programme have taken measures to make it clear that they do not inject the Botox® into the primary muscles of the lips for patient safety.
Dr. Eccleston also raises this important point of safety; “From a practical point of view, cold sores are usually found in the mouth area. Using a powerful muscle relaxing drug in this area has the potential side effect of weakening the muscles round the lips, potentially leading to drooling, difficulty enunciating certain sounds such as 'p' and 'b', and problems with lip pursing and using a straw to drink with. All these are well known side effects when botulinum toxins are used in the mouth area in too high a dose or by an inexperienced practitioner.”
The manufacturer of Botox®, Allergan, has made it quite clear that the study being done in the USA is nothing to do with them, nor do they endorse off-licence use of their product.
Currently, we are not aware of anyone in the UK who is looking into providing such treatment until the efficacy is properly proven.
Watch this space to see if anything develops!

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