Shingles (Herpes zoster): Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

How to relieve the pain. Not just medications, when needed, but also cold compresses on the rash area. Stress is one of the causes.

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fire of saint Anthony

Il fire of saint Anthony It begins with a sharp, burning pain; it shoots along the nerves like an electric shock. A few days later the blisters cover the painful area, giving rise to arash bright red. And at this point, you realize that this isn't just ordinary hives, but something different: herpes zoster. But what is shingles, what are its symptoms, and why does it appear, especially in adults?

Who strikes

Shingles affects one in two people over the age of 85, although the number of cases in which the disease occurs in people over age 50 is increasing. The reason why shingles primarily affects the elderly is simple: as we age, the immune system weakens, and those with chronic diseases are more at risk of contracting the infection. fire of saint Anthony, also known by the medical definition of Herpes Zoster, is a pathology of viral origin triggered by the same virus that causes the chickenpoxThe disease is due to the reactivation of the Varicella-Zoster Virus VZV. Belonging to the Herpes family, the virus has a particular ability to hide in nervous tissue. In particular, VZV persists in ganglia - peripheral nerve stations outside the central nervous system – which constitute actual dislocated nerve centers, and survives inactive for years. The immune system It manages to keep it under control for as long as necessary, but at the first sign of weakness, the virus can reactivate, causing the well-known painful symptoms and very annoying skin rashes.

The culprit is chickenpox, that unwanted guest that never actually left home and continued to live with you, specifically in a nerve in your body. It is estimated that 90%-95% of the population, during the course of their life, contracts the chickenpox virus and that in about 15% of cases, shingles subsequently appears.

Symptoms

Shingles manifests itself with characteristic symptoms such as:

  • Elongated skin rash, band-like, and covered with itchy, fluid-filled blisters, similar to chickenpox
  • Excruciating pain, burning, as if there were flames on the skin
  • Headache
  • Temperature
  • Chills
  • Stomach pain
  • Exhaustion and tiredness

Other symptoms may appear in certain cases, but it will be up to the doctor to identify their characteristics with a functional diagnosis.

Cause

To provoke the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, and therefore the onset of shingles, is generally a sudden drop in immunitary defenseThis can happen for many reasons:

  • Chickenpox, in 15 percent of cases, causes Herpes Zoster after a few years.
  • Psycho-physical stress important
  • Pharmacological treatments for immunosuppressed patients (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, transplants)
  • Pathologies that weaken the immune system
  • Old age

The component from theseniority It is among the most common that leads to shingles due to a natural weakening of the immune defenses.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made by a specialist after a thorough examination of the area affected by the unmistakable rash. The symptoms make this diagnosis fairly straightforward. Laboratory tests are then performed, starting with a blood test to detect IgM antibodies linked to the presence of VZV (varicella-zoster virus).

How to Ease the Pain of Shingles

Fortunately, there are many options for relieving the pain of shingles, and among this wide choice, it is possible to resort to the following, with a prescription and medical consultation:

With regard to blisters, as specialists warn, is better not to touch them, unless the pain and discomfort is excessive. In that case, they may be applied creme o ointments However, these will delay healing. This is because the substances used can irritate the skin and thus slow down its healing process.

Per relieve the pain and discomfort of blisters These methods may also work:

  • Cold compress on severe eruptions
  • Avoid the heat e heat forms
  • Touch the infection with hydrogen peroxide, even without diluting it with water
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Take a refreshing bath after pouring cornstarch into the bath water

The solutions provided here would be helpful in any case first discuss with a doctor or pharmacist.

shingles herpes zoster

drugs

Shingles usually heals gradually (within two to four weeks) and spontaneously. However, when the pain is very severe and lasts longer than usual, certain medications may be prescribed only after consulting a doctor. There are three types:
  • Antiviral drugs. They can block the growth of the virus and thus speed recovery.
  • Anti-inflammatory medications. These are creams and gels applied to the itchy area or to the lesions caused by the rash.
  • Painkillers. They have no therapeutic effect on the virus and its progression, but they should serve to reduce pain.

Foods to Avoid with Shingles

A correlation has been found between theamino acid arginine and the reproduction of the chickenpox virusIn fact, although this amino acid is considered beneficial in the body, it appears to aid the proliferation of shingles.

The foods that contain the highest quantities of arginine are: oil seeds including nights, almonds, peanuts e hazelnuts. Also reduce the quantities of vegetable and derivatives, such as lentils, Fava beans, ceci e peas.

To add also all those foods with too much salt content or saturated fats. Avoid alcohol which affects the immune system and all those heavy and unhealthy foods.

Is shingles contagious?

Anyone who shows symptoms of Herpes Zoster is contagious. The virus can therefore be transmitted to those who have not yet contracted the varicella zoster virus, VVZ.

Infection occurs only through direct contact with the infected blisters of the person experiencing shingles. With the transmission of the virus to a new subject, since it is a first encounter, the chickenpox and therefore not shingles. The latter, however, could resurface in the future.

Therefore, anyone experiencing symptoms of shingles should avoid contact with other people without due care. Above all, until the blisters are completely dry, the patient should avoid sharing clothing or towels with others, avoid public places as much as possible, and completely avoid activities that could facilitate transmission of the virus.

Can you leave the house with shingles?

This is a complex question that is difficult to answer definitively. It is certain that a patient who contracts the virus, being contagious, should avoid leaving the house as much as possibleSpecifically, the ideal would be to stay away from other people and therefore public areas.

However, if the person's condition allows them to leave the house, they can still go for a walk, exercise, or move around outdoors without coming into contact with others, preferably in suburban areas.

Possible relapses

The virus in the form of shingles can easily reactivate in the presence of the following circumstances:
  • A sudden drop in immune defenses
  • Severe psycho-physical stress
  • Some drug treatments
  • Excessive exposure to sunlight
  • Advanced age

Prevention and treatment

Don't act like a hero and don't think that by enduring the pain you'll be able to solve the problem. Shingles, if not treated properly, can have repercussions after healing that can be life-threatening. can even last for several years.

It's important to keep in mind that although one of the symptoms is a skin manifestation, the disease affects the nervous tissue. The infection must therefore be treated with appropriate precautions.

Typically, doctors advocate for an initial treatment for Herpes Zoster based on steroid drugs o acyclovirThis slows viral reproduction and shortens the duration of the infection.

One solution to prevent the infection from taking an incorrect course is to inject a substance that blocks the nerve in the appropriate area. By blocking the nerves of the sympathetic system that reach the painful area can bring benefit and definitive relief in approximately 75% of patients.

For those who suffer from chronic post-herpetic neuralgia, the system includes the installation of a device capable of transmitting, in delimited areas of the the body, a shock capable of masking the painAlong with this, other pain-relieving techniques are also present in the pain therapy departments of hospitals.

Vaccine

The shingles vaccination is recommended for people over 65 who are considered at risk. Therefore, any decision should be made in consultation with your doctor. The vaccine is a subcutaneous injection in the arm and is free. The vaccine reduces the risk of contracting the disease by 65 percent.

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