Shingles (herpes zoster) is a skin disorder triggered by the chicken pox virus
(varicella zoster) that you had as a child. This virus is thought to lie dormant in the
spinal cord until later in life. Shingles most often occurs between the ages of 50 and 70
in both men and women. Even though shingles is not as contagious as chicken pox, infants
and people whose immunity is low should not be exposed to it. Besides aging, the
risks for getting shingles increases with:
Hodgkin's disease or other cancer
Any illness in which infection-fighting
systems are below par
The use of anticancer medications or any
medications that suppress the immune system (Example: corticosteroids)
Stress or trauma, either emotional or
physical
Symptoms
Symptoms of shingles include:
Pain, itching, or tingling
sensation before the rash appears
A rash of painful red blisters which later
crust over. Most often, the rash appears on the torso or side of the face. Only one side
of the face or body is affected. Shingles is almost never present on both sides of the
body. It is serious if it affects the eye, because it can lead to blindness.
Though rare, fever and general weakness
sometimes occur.
After the crusts fall off (usually within 3 weeks), pain can persist in the area of the rash. This usually goes away on its own after 1-6 months. Chronic pain can, however, last for months or years. The older you are, the greater the chance that this is the case. The recovery time may also take longer, too.
Most cases of shingles are mild, but shingles can result in chronic, severe pain, blindness or deafness. So, to be on the safe side, let your doctor know if you get shingles.
Treatment
Treatment for shingles includes:
Pain relief with analgesics.
Codeine may sometimes be prescribed.
Prescription medicines Famvir, Valtrex, and
Zovirax can be very effective. The sooner one of these medicines is used, the better the
results.
An antibiotic if the blisters become
infected
Antihistamines
Corticosteroids
Tranquilizers for a short time
With shingles, are you over 60 years of age, taking anticancer or
other immunosuppressive medicines, or do you have a chronic illness? |
 |
| Has the shingles affected your eye, nose, or ear? |
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| Do the blisters itch uncontrollably or are they very painful? |
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| Do you have a fever and/or general weakness? |
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| Do any symptoms of shingles make you uncomfortable? |
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Following are things you can do (along with your doctor's treatment plan) to
help relieve an active outbreak of shingles:
Unless your doctor has given you
prescription pain medicine, take an over-the-counter medicine for pain. {Note:
See Pain relievers in Your Home Pharmacy.}
If possible, keep sores open to the
air. Don't bandage them unless you live with or are around children or adults who have not
yet had the chicken pox. They could pick up chicken pox from exposure to shingles.
Don't wear restrictive clothing that
irritates the area of the body where sores are present.
Wash blisters, but never scrub them.
Apply calamine lotion to the affected area
to relieve itching. Or apply a paste made of 3 teaspoons of baking soda mixed with 1
teaspoon of water to the affected area.
Avoid drafty areas where you can get
chilled.
Put cool compresses on the blisters. You
can use several things: a cold cloth or towel dipped in ice water, a bag of frozen
vegetables, or an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel. Put the cool compress on the blisters
for 20 minutes at a time.
Drink plenty of liquids.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99