Overview

Shingles is an infection caused by viruses that causes a painful blistering rash as well as other symptoms including sensitivity to touch or light. It is caused by the virus responsible for chickenpox – varicella-zoster. The chickenpox virus remains latent in the nervous system after a person’s exposure to it. One could develop the shingles rash if the virus is triggered by stress or sickness.

Shingles may develop anywhere on the body, although the torso is the most commonly affected. This rash might take the form of a single stripe of tiny blisters wrapping across one side of the body. These lumps have a different appearance from the surrounding skin and take varied forms on people with different skin tones. They might be pink, grey, purple, or brown on darker skin.

While these lumps appear red on lighter skin tones. It’s not a hazardous or life-threatening condition. However, it can be excruciatingly painful. Even if you’ve had the shingles vaccination, the virus might still trigger and cause a rash.

Early treatment is critical because it reduces the risk of consequences such as postherpetic neuralgia (ongoing nerve pain after the blisters have healed).

Symptoms

Symptoms typically begin with a burning or tingling feeling in or beneath the skin. Specific parts of the skin may also become touch sensitive.

Here are the accompanying signs:

• Enlarged lymph nodes
• A very sensitive, itchy, red rash (usually on the body or face)
• Fluid-filled blisters that abruptly open Itching

Treatment

An antiviral medication is usually most effective and reduces the risk of complication if taken within three days of onset.

Our medical personnel typically treat this with Acyclovir (Zovirax), Famciclovir (Famvir), or valacyclovir (Valtrex)

These can help decrease the length of a shingles outbreak and avoid consequences like postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain).

Cool compresses, numbing medicines, or over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen are all possible treatments for shingles pain.