Dimethyl sulfoxide, which is frequently abbreviated as DMSO, is a substance commonly used as a solvent for chemicals that do not easily dissolve in water. DMSO has a long, controversial history as a medical treatment. While it's currently not approved as a treatment for herpes, there is preliminary evidence that it might be effective for this use. Like with any health supplement, consult your doctor before taking DMSO.
History
DMSO was first used as a chemical solvent in the wood industry. After a few promising studies indicated health benefits in the 1960s, DMSO became very popular as a treatment for arthritis and other joint and muscle conditions. However, subsequent studies have called into question the effectiveness and safety of using DMSO for these purposes, explains an article published by the Alaska Science Forum. Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, only allows using DMSO to treat a bladder condition known as interstitial cystitis.
Herpes Treatment
In preliminary animal and laboratory studies, DMSO appears to have potential to treat or prevent herpes. Studies using isolated cells growing in a laboratory dish suggest that DMSO prevents the herpes virus from infecting human cells, as reported in the May 2002 issue of "BioMedCentral Infections Diseases." However, additional clinical trials are needed to demonstrate that DMSO is an effective treatment in human bodies.
Preparations
While there may be promising preliminary evidence for using DMSO to treat or prevent herpes, DMSO is not currently approved by the FDA for this use. The only currently available medical-grade preparations are made for the purpose of applying directly to the bladder through a catheter to treat interstitial cystitis. These preparations are only available by prescription and should not be ingested, warns Drugs.com.
Cautions
You may be able to find commercially available bottles of DMSO used for industrial purposes. You should never ingest industrial-grade DMSO or apply it to your skin in an attempt to treat or prevent herpes. Industrial-grade DMSO is often contaminated with dangerous chemicals. Because DMSO is rapidly absorbed across the skin or stomach, any impurities will be absorbed by your body as well, potentially causing serious health problems, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center.
