Remedies can relieve the shingles symptoms

Remedies can relieve the shingles symptoms

Herpes zoster, better known as shingles, is a painful infection that affects the nerves of the body. It appears as a blistering rash that is caused by an acute infection of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox.

After chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in certain nerves in the body. For unknown reasons, the virus can become active again after many years, causing shingles. An adult who has not had chickenpox as a child will probably develop varicella zoster rather than if it is exposed to herpes zoster virus.

Shingles is more common in adults over 60 years, children who had chickenpox before the age of one, and people who have a weakened immune system.

The first shingles symptoms is often a face pain, tingling or burning may be severe. Red spots then form on the skin, followed by blisters that look like little early chickenpox. New vesicles continue to form for three to five days. The blisters and ulcers that form the break turn into scabs which remain for two to three weeks. While the rash usually forms in a narrow band following the nerves of the spine at the level of the chest or abdomen, it can affect the eyes, face, mouth, ears, or other parts body.

In addition to pain and rashes, some people experience:

Abdominal Pain

The Chills

Difficulty moving the facial muscles

Fall of the eyelids

Fever

Genital lesions

Headaches

Hearing loss

Joint pain

The swollen glands

Vision problems

Shingles usually clears up on its own without treatment. The people, however, may need treatment to relive pain. Doctors may prescribe an antiviral medication to reduce pain and complications and shorten the duration of illness. Anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed to reduce swelling and pain.

Cool, wet compresses applied to the affected areas can reduce pain. Soothing baths and lotions, including calamine lotion, colloidal oatmeal, and Burow's solution, shingles are popular remedies that can relieve the itching and discomfort.

Shingles usually disappears within two to four weeks. Most people experience a single episode of shingles. However, if the virus affects the motor nerves, which are nerves that control movement, temporary or permanent paralysis can result. Sometimes the pain can last for months or years. Called post-herpetic neuralgia, this complication affects 10 to 15 percent of people with shingles. The treatment of shingles with antiviral drugs can reduce the duration and frequency of post-herpetic neuralgia. Other possible complications of herpes zoster include blindness, deafness, encephalitis and septicemia.

Shingles is contagious. People who have never had chickenpox or the vaccine against chickenpox should not touch the bulbs people with shingles or chickenpox. Once the blisters are crusted over the virus can not spread. Some doctors recommend vaccination against chickenpox for adolescents and adults who have never had chickenpox.

Shingles is an extremely painful viral infection. Sufferers can find relief from certain medications and soothing remedies. Although complications are possible, the illness usually lasts less than a month and did not recur.