Shingles

In dermatology shingles is referred as herpes-zoster. It is a caused by viruses. The known fact of shingles is clear. If anyone who has had chicken pox (VZV) is more vulnerable towards having shingles because of the varicella-zoster virus. This virus remains latent after a bout of chicken pox. So this virus is the the main culprit. Though the reason behind of returning of the virus in form if shingles remains unknown to medical science.

Shingles Virus Victims

In most of the cases those who have the varicella-zoster virus do not get the shingles. But those who have weakened immune system or over 50 tend to have shingles more. Nevertheless, the virus strikes human beings quite randomly. The fact is 25% of the adults get this viral skin disease. With the growing age the change of developing shingles increases.

Because the chicken pox vaccine is recommended for all children between 18 months and adolescence, future generations are less likely to get shingles because vaccine is such a weak strain of the virus that it typically cannot survive over decades to cause shingles.

Nerve pain

Shingles causes pain, even more than chicken pox. When the virus reactivates later in life, it spreads down the long nerve fibers (axons) that extend from the sensory cell bodies to the skin. As it multiplies, the rash erupts. The nervous system is more deeply involved with shingles than it was during the bout with chickenpox. Moreover, the symptoms are often much more complex and severe.

Torso is typically affected by shingles. Primary symptoms include tingling, burning and itching. Watery blisters and a rash appear as the condition develops. The pain can be mild or intense. Most of the patients report severe pain from the slightest human touch or contact with sheets, bed linens, and clothes. In the worst cases, the entire affected area looks like it’s been burned.

Shingles can affect any part of the body. Eruptions around the eyes and ears can be dangerous. In older patients the condition can evolve into a condition called postherpetic neuralgia. If this occurs, the pain from shingles can last for weeks or months after the rash has healed. For these and other reasons, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist for treatment of this painful condition.

Treatment

Unfortunately there is no cure for shingles, but there are effective medications to treat the pain and shorten the length and severity of the attack. Antiviral drugs such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famcyclovir as soon as possible is required. This can reduce or prevent severe pain and help blisters dry within a short period. Consumption of antiviral drugs can reduce the risk of being left with postherpetic neuralgia by about fifty percent. Other treatments include anti-inflammatory corticosteroids such as prednisone.

In studies it shows that stress can increase pain and even cause depression during a bout with shingles. Diet and relaxation strategies should be taken that can help ease the pain and distress of a shingles attack.

Limiting the chance

How can shingles be prevented? Getting a live vaccine as a single injection in the upper arm limits the chance of getting shingles. There are few short lived side effects of this which includes pain and swelling and injection site redness. Nevertheless, this is a small price to pay to significantly reduce the chance of getting shingles.

Shingles Basics

·         No one can develop shingles unless having chickenpox at the first place.

·         This is not contagious. You can not catch shingles from someone else.

Someone with shingles rash, which rash contains virus particles can spread the virus to someone who has never had chickenpox vaccine. This can affect that individual and s/he can develop chickenpox in future but not the shingles. To spread the virus and transmit it direct physical contact of the rash is needed. Fortunately, in most of the cases people have shingles only once in a life time but second outbreak is not impossible. So, take a vaccine to prevent shingles.