Which therapy is recommended for reducing pain and promoting healing in herpes simplex outbreaks?

Antiviral medications are recommended for reducing pain and promoting healing in herpes simplex outbreaks because they specifically target the virus responsible for the infection. These medications, such as acyclovir and valacyclovir, work by inhibiting viral replication, which helps to diminish the severity of symptoms and the duration of outbreaks. By reducing the viral load in the body, antiviral medications can lead to faster healing of lesions and a decrease in associated pain and discomfort.

While analgesics can help manage pain, they do not address the underlying viral infection. Topical ointments can provide symptom relief and possibly soothe skin irritation, but they are not as effective as antiviral medications in managing the physiological processes of the infection. Warm compresses can also offer symptomatic relief by reducing discomfort, but they do not have a significant impact on healing the viral outbreak itself.