The invention provides low concentration, stable compositions for the treatment of lesions associated with herpes viral infections. The compositions are in a form selected from creams and gels containing trichloroacetic acid in an amount of between 2.5% (m/m) and 6% (w/w) of the weight of the cream or gel. Preferably the cream contains about 5% and the gel about 2.5% of the trichloroacetic acid.