9/14/2023 0 Comments After effects of shingles![]() If the shingles rash has affected the eyes, treatment by an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) may be required to prevent damage to the cornea (the transparent part of the eyeball that covers the iris and pupil). Antibiotics may be required if the skin rash develops a bacterial infection.Corticosteroids medications may be prescribed if the rash and pain are severe.They don't kill the virus but can help to reduce the duration of the symptoms Antiviral medications may be prescribed.Lotions and creams may be prescribed for the rash.Cool compresses applied to the affected area.Pain relief medications such as paracetamol.Getting adequate rest is an important factor in the treatment of shingles. TreatmentĪs shingles is caused by a virus and cannot be cured with antibiotics, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. A full medical history will be taken and the doctor may take a sample of the fluid from within the blister so that it can be tested in a laboratory for presence of the chickenpox virus. DiagnosisĪ doctor is usually able to make a diagnosis of shingles based on its characteristic symptoms. However, in most people there is no identifiable cause for shingles occurring. Lowered immunity eg: due to medications or chemotherapy that suppress the immune system.It is thought that the following factors influence the development of shingles: The reason why the chickenpox virus reactivates as shingles is not fully understood. Only people who have had chickenpox in the past (usually in childhood) can get shingles. ![]() Full recovery from the condition usually occurs within 2 - 3 weeks, or up to 4 weeks in older adults. ![]() The pain and other symptoms of shingles gradually resolve as the skin rash and blisters disappear. Occasionally the rash does not eventuate after the initial pain has developed. It is possible for the blisters to cause mild scarring.īecause shingles affects the nerve cells it is common for the rash to appear as a band across the body or down the leg along the path of a nerve. Within a few days of appearing the blisters dry and crust over. Pain can be accompanied by other symptoms including:Īfter 1 - 14 days a red rash appears over the painful area of skin followed quickly by the development of small, fluid-filled blisters. The older the person is, the more severe the pain is likely to be. The pain can be mild or it can be quite severe. It almost always occurs on one side of the body only. The initial tingling, sharp, burning pain under the skin can occur anywhere on the body but usually affects the face, upper abdomen or back. Groups at an increased risk of developing shingles include people whose immune systems have been impaired due to ill health, medications or diseases that lower the immunity. Females appear to be more frequently affected than males. Shingles can occur at any age but usually occurs in adults over the age of 50 years. Anyone who has had chickenpox can go on to develop shingles. After a bout of chickenpox the virus remains in the body for life and can be reactivated at a later stage as shingles. Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. Vaccination can help to reduce the risk of developing shingles. Early treatment can help to shorten the duration of infection and reduce the risk of complications. This is followed 1 - 14 days later by a red rash and blisters. Shingles is a viral infection, the first symptom of which is usually a tingling, sharp, burning pain under the skin. ![]()
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