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Shingles Symptoms - Treatment Options For The Rash Symptoms

About Shingles symptoms. Learn treatment options for the rash symptoms and more!

Symptoms of shingles are common and usually symptoms start as a tingling sensation, followed by increased skin sensitivity with a burning sensation and can sometimes develop in to really quite severe shingles pain. These shingles rash symptoms usually last for 3 to 4 days, with the onset of the shingles rash. Ideally shingles treatment should begin at the onset of symptoms, before the rash develops. The symptoms of shingles normally occur in people over the age of 60 years although can potentially occur at any age.

Shingles symptoms can also include fever, anorexia (going off food) and painful lymph gland enlargement. It is also commonly seen with other concurrent illnesses (see below) and these should be looked for by your doctor in the absence of any clear cause.

What is the shingles rash like?

The shingles rash is a blistering rash that occurs in areas on the skin called dermatomes. Dermatomes are areas of skin innervated by specific nerves, so the shingles rash symptoms are normally unilateral rather than bilateral, occurring anywhere on the body although commonly seen on the chest, abdomen, back (when it is classically called the belt of roses) and on the face. The shingles blisters are usually relatively small, fluid filled and form in an area of erythema or red skin. After a few days the blisters usually discharge although the redness of the skin can last for much longer and symptoms can even remain permanently in some people.

What causes Shingles symptoms?

Shingles is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus, commonly known as the pox virus as it is the cause of chicken pox. Chicken pox symptoms usually occur in childhood although symptoms can occur in adulthood when the symptoms are often more severe and often require specific shingles treatment. The virus lies dormant in nerve roots after the initial infection. Shingles occurs due to reactivation of the virus within the roots which then travels down the nerve pathway and causes the typical rash symptoms of shingles described above. It normally occurs when the immune system has been weakened as seen in conditions such as HIV, Immunodeficiency syndromes, drugs that affect the immune system such as chemotherapy drugs and steroids, cancer and concurrent infections. Also periods of stress can bring on the rash symptoms of shingles.

Can I get the rash symptoms from someone
with shingles symptoms?

No, you can’t get shingles from someone with rash symptoms. Shingles is a reactive condition caused by the virus lying dormant in nerves, usually for years. You can only get shingles if you have had chicken pox in the past, although you can spread the pox virus to anyone that hasn’t had chicken pox as it is highly contagious.

Are there any complications from Shingles?

Yes, complications can occur particularly if shingles treatment isnt instigated early. Symptoms affecting the face can involve the eye resulting in an inflamed, painful eye which can cause blindness. In conditions of low immunity, the virus can spread to the brain causing brain inflammation symptoms or encephalitis, a potentially life threatening condition from the shingles virus although this is rare. Post-herpetic neuralgia or pain can occur in some with longterm pain in the area of the rash and this can be difficult to treat.

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About Shingles Treatment

Shingles is normally treated with a drug called Aciclovir. This is available as a cream and also as tablets and should be started at the onset of rash symptoms. Shingles treatment is less effective once symptoms of the rash occur and we know early treatment reduces the risk of long-term post-herpetic neuralgia symptoms. The pain of shingles is normally treated with analgesics (painkillers), often strong pain killers including morphine are needed. Pain modifying drugs such as Gabapentin, Pregabalin, Amitriptyline and even the anticonvulsant called Carbamazepine has been used for painful shingles symptoms or neuralgia.

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