Shingles - Find Out All About Shingles

Shingles, correctly called as herpes zoster, is a painful skin disease. In this, a virus that also causes chicken pox affects the skin and creates bands of blisters which are full of liquid, pus, etc. The disease settles over two to three weeks but the pain may remain for a month after that. Those who have had chicken pox in childhood are likely to get shingles as they age. Why do some people get shingles and others don’t, is not known. Lets find out more about it.

Shingles> Causes and Symptoms>

The virus that causes chicken pox in childhood goes into dormancy. After years, it gets triggered again. The triggers may include age, stress, depressed immune system, etc. As the virus gets activated, the patient gets shingles. The affected area pains for a day or two. After that, the blisters begin appearing. Blisters appear on one side of the body in a band-like fashion.

For some days, new blisters keep appearing. They are full of liquid and are very painful. After that, the blisters begin crusting and fall off in two to three weeks. Pain may remain on the affected area even if all the blisters clear. If you get a blister on the nose, you should inform your doctor immediately because your eyes may get affected. It can lead to vision loss.

Shingles> Treatment>

Shingles clears itself in two to three weeks. But as the condition is quite painful, doctors try to clear it sooner. Painkillers are prescribed along with anti-viral drugs. Sometimes your doctor may also prescribe steroids. If secondary bacterial infection appears, antibiotics are given. Taking rest is very important. Application of calamine solutions may reduce burning and itching. The patient should keep away from others because the virus can be passed on. The passed on virus does not cause shingles but causes chicken pox in the new person who gets the virus.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

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March 13, 2008 | Filed Under Health and Fitness 

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