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Creams, sprays and washes that promise relief from genital herpes are easy to order online, but none of them has been approved to treat the infection.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent warning letters to Amazon and Walmart over herpes products sold on their websites. The agency said the items are unapproved drugs that can't legally be shipped across state lines.

"Effective treatment requires diagnosis and supervision by a licensed health care professional," the FDA wrote in both letters, dated Oct. 1.

Agency staff bought the products from the two sites in July. Outside sellers listed them, but Amazon and Walmart stored and shipped the orders through their own fulfillment programs, the FDA explained.

The Amazon letter names nine products: FemiClear, HClear for him, HerpCare Ointment, HerpCare Spray, Herstat GST, Genital Herpes Ointment, RoyceDerm Herpes Relief Cream, Terragen HG Formula and Genital Herpes Intimate Wash.

The Walmart letter cites three of the same items: HClear for him, Herstat GST and Terragen HG Formula.

Labels on the products claimed to fight outbreaks, cut down on repeat flare-ups, soothe sores and even fight viruses.

Several are sold as homeopathic, meaning they're made with heavily diluted ingredients. The FDA noted that homeopathic products face the same approval rules as any other drug.

The bigger concern is what happens when people rely on these products instead of seeing a doctor.

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