Shingles (also known as shingles) is an infection that occurs on the skin and causes blistering rashes. It is caused by the virus known as varicella-zoster, the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you have had chickenpox in the past, you can suffer from this infection sooner or later in life. There is no cure, but it is possible to reduce the discomfort through medications and adequate treatments prescribed by the doctor.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Managing the Vent
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms
The shingles begins with pain, itching, burning, numbness and / or tingling that lasts from 1 to 5 days; later, the rash begins to develop. In people with normal immune systems, the lesions usually take the form of a single distinct stripe on one side of the body or face. On the other hand, when the immune system is compromised, the outbreaks tend to occur all over the body.
- Other symptoms you may have are fever, headache, chills, sensitivity to light, touch, fatigue, and stomach discomfort.
- The rashes soon turn into blisters and after about 7-10 days they form a scab. The entire course of the disease can last from 2 to 6 weeks.
Step 2. Seek immediate medical attention
You need to see your doctor as soon as the rashes start to appear. The ideal is to undergo treatment within 3 days (even earlier, if the rashes are on the face). The doctor will be able to diagnose the problem and find a treatment. Early intervention helps to dry the blisters faster and reduces pain.
- The infection can be treated at home; you probably don't need to stay in the hospital.
- Most people get shingles only once, but it is possible for the infection to come back 2 or 3 times.
Step 3. Try home remedies
During the acute phase of the disease, you should wear loose, comfortable clothes of natural fabric, get plenty of rest and eat healthily. You can take an oatmeal bath or use a calamine-based lotion to reduce skin inflammation.
- Wear silk or cotton clothing rather than wool or acrylic.
- To soothe the skin, take a bath by adding a handful of ground or colloidal oatmeal. You can also purchase bath products with oats that you simply add to the bath water.
- Apply calamine lotion after bathing when your skin is still damp.
Step 4. Reduce Stress
Emotional tension can make the disease more painful. Try to engage in activities that distract you from pain and that you enjoy, such as reading, listening to music, talking to friends or family. Stress is also a factor that can trigger shingles outbreaks, so you should avoid experiencing anxiety or tension.
- Meditation and deep breathing techniques can help you relieve stress related to prolonged outbursts, while also reducing discomfort.
- You can meditate by mentally repeating a relaxing thought or word to clear your mind and distract you from worries.
- You can also follow a guided meditation to focus on a fantastic image or place that helps you calm down. Once you have identified this location, try to include smells, views and sounds in the mental image. This technique works best if there is someone to guide you through the visualization process.
- Tai chi and yoga are other useful practices for reducing stress; both involve assuming certain positions and performing specific deep breathing exercises.
Step 5. Take antiviral medications
Your doctor may prescribe valaciclovir (Valtrex), aciclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir) or other similar medicines to manage the discomfort. Take them as directed by your doctor or pharmacist and ask about possible side effects or reactions that may arise with other medications you are taking.
You should start taking these drugs as soon as possible to make their action more effective. This is why it is important to seek medical attention as soon as the breakouts occur
Step 6. Take some pain relievers
The pain you feel during the active phases of shingles can be short but intense. Depending on the level of pain and your medical history, your doctor may prescribe some codeine-based medications or others that help manage pain over the long term, such as anticonvulsants.
- They may also recommend anesthetic medications, such as lidocaine, if they see fit. They are usually commercially available in the form of cream to be applied directly to the skin, in gel, spray or even patches.
- When the pain is very severe, the doctor may also give you an injection of corticosteroids or local anesthetics.
- Sometimes a prescription cream with capsaicin, the active ingredient in hot pepper, can be applied to the rashes to relieve discomfort.
Step 7. Keep your skin clean and fresh
Take cool water baths during shingles outbreaks or apply cold packs to blisters and lesions. Also be sure to keep your skin clean with cold water and a mild soap, to avoid further irritation and infection.
- You can take a bath with a mild soap such as Dove, Oil of Olaz or Lavera.
- Alternatively, add 2 teaspoons of salt to a liter of cold water, wet a towel with this solution and apply it to blisters and sores; this remedy also helps to reduce itching.
Part 2 of 2: Managing the Complications of Herpes Zoster
Step 1. Recognize post-herpetic neuralgia
About 20% of people with shingles develop this complication. You can suffer from this syndrome if you experience severe pain in the same area where the rashes formed. Post-herpetic neuralgia can last for weeks or even months; some people have symptoms even for years.
- The older you are, the more likely you are to suffer from this disorder.
- If you feel pain when something comes into contact with your skin (for example, clothing, wind or people), you may have this neuralgia.
- If you delay too long before seeking treatment, you run a greater risk of developing it.
Step 2. Pay attention to complications
Although post-herpetic neuralgia is the most common consequence of shingles, there are others, such as pneumonia, hearing disorders, blindness, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), and even death. Other possible complications are scarring, bacterial skin infections, and localized muscle weakness.
Step 3. Look for medical treatments
If you are concerned that you have post-herpetic neuralgia or other complications of shingles, you should see your doctor. He will be able to establish a therapy to manage these additional problems, focusing primarily on the management of chronic pain.
- Treatments may include the application of topical agents such as lidocaine, analgesics such as oxycodone, anticonvulsants such as gabapentin (Neurontin), pregabalin (Lyrica), or even psychological interventions.
- Many people can fall into depression or suffer from other mental illnesses when undergoing chronic pain. In this case, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants or recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy, which includes relaxation techniques or even hypnosis. Both of these therapeutic approaches are effective in countering chronic suffering.
Step 4. Get vaccinated
If you are over 60 years of age you should get the shingles vaccine, even if you have already suffered from herpes outbreaks. You can ask your family doctor for more information or go to the ASL office.
- Vaccination is free when recommended by national and regional health programs, as indicated in vaccination schedules.
- You should wait for the acute phase to resolve before getting vaccinated. Talk to your doctor to find out when is the best time to inject.
Step 5. Take care of your overall health
Living with shingles means dealing with anything that can trigger an acute phase, including stress, fatigue, inappropriate nutrition, and a weak immune system. Although vaccination is the only remedy for preventing shingles, good general health helps you avoid another rash and heal better.
- Eat a balanced diet full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Exercise regularly and get plenty of rest.
Advice
- Seek support from other people who suffer from the same problem as you. According to data released by the CDC, around one million people in the United States alone experience shingles every year. About half of the cases involve individuals aged 60 or over. Do some research online or ask your local health authority if there are any support groups in your area.
- Do not scratch the blisters or the skin during the active phase of the disease; you only risk worsening the pain and severity of herpes.
- Do not approach people who have not had chickenpox or have not had the vaccine. Shingles is not contagious, but during the outbreak it can cause chickenpox in children and adults who have never been exposed to the virus or have not been vaccinated.
