Shingles - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Definition

Shingles is also known as herpes zoster. It is an outbreak of rash or blisters on the skin that is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox i.e. the varicella-zoster virus. The first sign of shingles is often burning or tingling pain, or sometimes numbness or itch, in one particular location on only one side of the body. After several days or a week, a rash of fluid-filled blisters, similar to chickenpox, appears in one area on one side of the body. Although painful, typically shingles isn't a serious condition. Sometimes, however, the rash can lead to a debilitating complication called postherpetic neuralgia. This condition causes the skin to remain painful and sensitive to touch for months or even years after the rash clears up. Although it is most common in people over age 50, if you have had chickenpox, you are at risk for developing shingles. Shingles is also more common in people with weakened immune systems.

Causes

1. You can only get shingles if you had chickenpox in the past or if you have had the chickenpox vaccine
2. If your immune system doesn't destroy the entire virus during the initial infection, the remaining virus can enter your nervous system and lie hidden for years. Eventually, it may reactivate and travel along nerve pathways to your skin to produce shingles.
3. Youngsters whose mothers had chickenpox late in pregnancy i.e. 5 to 21 days before giving birth or who had chickenpox in infancy, have an increased risk of pediatric shingles.
4. It is not contagious. You can't catch shingles from another person who has shingles unlike chickenpox.
5. Other risk factors may be cancer, radiation treatments, injury of the skin where the rash occurs or stress and fatigue.

Symptoms

1. The first symptom of shingles is often extreme sensitivity or pain in a broad band on one side of the body.
2. There may be itching, tingling, burning, constant aching, or deep, shooting, or lightning bolt pain.
3. The rash disappears as the scabs fall off in the next 2-3 weeks, and scarring may result.
4. Some rashes may merge and produce an area that looks like a severe burn.
5. The trunk, neck and back are the most common areas where the rash appears, but in some cases, the eye, the face and the tip of the nose are affected.

Treatment

1. Although shingle usually heals on its own within a few weeks, prompt treatment can ease pain, speed healing and reduce the risk of complications.
2. Antiviral medications such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir offer substantial relief and significantly reduce the duration of symptoms for most affected individuals.
3. Do not scratch. This may increase the risk of secondary bacterial infection and scarring.
4. Apply cool tap-water compresses to weeping blisters for 20 minutes several times a day to soothe and help dry the blisters.
5. Keep the area clean with mild soap and water. Application of petroleum jelly can aid in healing.
6. Wear loose clothing to avoid extra pain from clothing rubbing against the rash.