There are a variety of shingles symptoms. Learn about the causes, treatment, and prevention of this condition. If you have the symptoms listed below, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you don’t treat the problem immediately, it can lead to permanent damage. For example, some patients suffer permanent vision loss of hearing. In rare cases, the disease may result in inflammation of the brain.
Symptoms
Treatment for shingles usually consists of antiviral medications, which help reduce the illness’s duration and severity. Other options include pain medications and antihistamines. Home remedies include using calamine lotion or Zostrix to reduce itching and applying cool, wet compresses to the infected area. Colloidal oatmeal baths can also help to relieve pain and itching.
The pain associated with shingles is typically mild, but some individuals may experience more severe symptoms. For example, they may experience burning, numbness, or tingling. Additionally, patients may experience fever and chills. Occasionally, they may experience other flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue and sensitivity to light.
Shingle symptoms can be life-threatening and should be treated promptly. The infection is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Those with a history of chickenpox may be more susceptible to this disease. Age is also a risk factor.
Causes
Shingles are a disease that causes a painful rash. The blisters are fluid-filled and form on the skin for one to five days. They will then form a crust and eventually clear up. The rash will usually heal within two weeks, but in some people, the pain may persist for months or years.
Although the blisters and pain from shingles are typically brief, the pain that the disease causes can be persistent and affect the nerves. Although the blisters clear up within a month of the first outbreak, the nerve pain associated with shingles may last longer. For younger people, the signs and symptoms are often not noticeable after the blisters have healed, and they rarely experience the nerve pain associated with shingles.
Some preventative measures can be taken to minimize the pain caused by shingles. Keeping the affected area clean, using anti-fungal creams and lotions, and avoiding rubbing with plasters can help relieve the symptoms. In addition, antiviral medications, if taken on time, can effectively reduce the duration and severity of shingles.
Treatment
Treatment for shingles symptoms can include a combination of medications to relieve the discomfort and shorten the duration of the illness. A doctor will also examine the affected areas and inquire about your medical history. In some cases, antiviral medicines may be prescribed. These medicines can prevent or shorten the duration of an attack and prevent the development of PHN. They should be taken within three days of rash onset to be most effective.
The most common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia. This is a chronic aching sensation, usually in the area of the blisters. The pain is often sensitive to heat and cold. Treatment for shingles symptoms may include antivirals to reduce pain and inflammation.
The pain caused by shingles is often moderate but can also be severe. It can last for several days, and it interferes with daily activities. The pain can be more intense in older people and can be debilitating. In severe cases, the blisters may turn into open sores or ulcers. Treatment for shingles symptoms may also include antiviral medications to shorten the duration of the outbreak and prevent the development of postherpetic neuralgia, a long-term complication of shingles.
