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| Shingles Treatment |
What exactly is shingles?
Shingles is caused by the
varicella-zoster virus, which is also responsible for chickenpox. Even after
you've recovered from chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in your nervous
system for years before reactivating as shingles. Shingles is also known as
herpes zoster. This virus infection is distinguished by a red skin rash that
can cause pain and burning. Shingles typically manifests as a line of blisters
on one side of the body, most commonly the torso, neck, or face.
The majority of shingles cases
resolve within 3 to 5 weeks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) Trusted Source, one in every three Americans will experience
shingles at some point in their lives. The condition can occur more than once
in the same person, especially if they have risk factors, but this is uncommon.
Shingles Symptoms
According to the CDCTrusted Source,
the first symptoms of shingles are usually pain and burning. The pain is
usually on one side of your body and along a stretch of skin known as a
dermatome. A red rash is frequently the result. The rash, however, does not
always appear red. The rash can appear dark pink, dark brown, or purplish
depending on your skin tone.
A shingles rash is distinguished by the appearance of a rash on one side of the body, such as the chest, abdomen, back, or face. you have a rash on your face and ears, Itching, fluid-filled blisters that easily rupture, and a burning sensation. Some people with shingles have symptoms other than pain and a rash. These symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and muscle weakness, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Shingles Causes
The varicella-zoster virus, which
also causes chickenpox, causes shingles. If you've already had chickenpox, this
virus can reactivate in your body and cause shingles. It is unknown why some
people develop shingles while others do not. It is more common in older adults
due to decreased immunity to infections. A weakened immune system, emotional
stress, aging, cancer treatments, or major surgery are all potential risk
factors for shingles.
Shingles Diagnosis
Typically, shingles is diagnosed by
examining your rashes and blisters. They will also inquire about your medical
history. In rare cases, your doctor may require a sample of your skin or the
fluid from your blisters to be tested. This entails taking a sample of tissue
or fluid with a sterile swab. The samples are then sent to a medical laboratory
for confirmation of the virus's presence.
Shingles Treatment
There is no cure for shingles, but treating it as soon as possible can help you avoid complications and recover faster. Treatment should ideally begin within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms. Your doctor may recommend medication to alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of the infection. To know more about treatment you can visit Lawton pharmacy.
