This terribly painful condition that attacks your dorsal root nerve ganglia is seen largely in adults over 50, produce blisters in areas of the skin innervated by the effected nerves.
The pain of a shingles attack would last for months.
Shingles virus is not as contagious as chickenpox but you can pass on the virus through contact one week upon the appearance of rashes.
It is not particularly dangerous to healthy person as long as the rashes do not spread to the brain but for those with immune deficiencies problems such as HIV patients or being treated for cancer, shingles can be at great risk.
What causes Shingles?
Shingles resulted from the reactivation of the Varicella virus which has lain dormant and occur many years after an initial chickenpox infection.
It is not known how or why the virus reactivates.
Trauma, stress, drugs or Immuno-suppressant diseases are the most likely causes that trigger the reactivation of the Varicella virus.
You will feel unwell with fever for a couple of days accompanied by localized pain before the characteristic rashes appear.
The rashes are red spots and quickly turn into intensely painful and itchy blisters.
They occasionally appear on your arms and legs but most times the rash is concentrated on one side of your trunk.
Hypersensitive itchiness of the skin may be present.
The blistering spots eventually burst and begin to dry out forming scabs which causes scarring.
You will experience the pain from shingles for one to four weeks but can go on for months and will turn into Postpherpetic Neuralgia.
Treatment for Shingles
At its early stages, shingles can be treated with tropical antiviral ointment or drugs such as Acyclovir.
You can take aspirin or codeine to relieve pain and to help combat the effect of relentless pain, Tricyclic antidepressant Amitryptyline is recommended.
The current methods of treatment for Postherpetic neuralgia are Capsacain, Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
When infection occurs, systemic antibiotics are added to the treatment regime.
Complications of Shingles
In extremely rare cases, the virus may affect your head and neck and also involve your face and eyes.
When the infection spreads to your eyes and brain, corneal damage and blindness are possible.
When this condition happens you should seek immediate medical attention to prevent further serious complications.
How to prevention Shingles
As with any health issues, a healthy lifestyle and attention to your diet is required.
It is your main weapon against compromising your immune system.
To prevent the spreading of shingles virus through contact and the potentially serious infections, maintaining your personal hygiene is important at least until the rash has completely scabbed over and when it is no longer contagious.
Only recently a vaccine is made available and is recommended for people over 60.
Posted by:Mo Salle
Other Related Articles:
• Shingles (Herpes Zoster)- CDC
Shingles Cream You Can Buy:
 | Wonder Salve - Awesome Product That Give Immediate Relief From Shingles Virus. Treatment That Really Works. |
Books You Can Buy And Read:
 | Shingles: New Hope For An Old Disease |
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Comment and feedback are most welcome.