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Herpes shingles is mainly caused by a reactivation of the nerve dormant virus in people who had previous history of chickenpox. Herpes shingles unfortunately does not occur once; it may have several episodes in your lifetime. Further shingles herpes attacks can be attributed to weak immune systems or especially at times when you are run down and may affect other parts of the body.
Herpes shingles (also known as Herpes Zoster) is affects the limited area of the skin causing breakout of rashes and blisters which are painful and unbearable. As mentioned, herpes shingles can recur due to previously episodes of chickenpox when you were younger. The viruses just stay and lie dormant in your nerves and will be triggered if your immune defenses are weak especially if you are depressed and feeling down. Also certain drugs like cancer related drugs, chemotherapy, radiation and organ transplants can trigger reactivation.
Herpes shingles are tested when a sample of fluid is taken out of the lesions in your skin and treated in the laboratory. If lesions are not present, a blood work from your body will be analyzed and tested for any presence of the virus. If any of the blisters caused by herpes shingles become infected with ordinary bacteria, the blister becomes more red and inflamed and may take longer to heal. In this case, the doctor may prescribe the use of antibiotics, in the form of a topical cream, or in a tablet form taken orally.
Herpes shingle can be treated by a regular pain reliever or analgesic and if it persist a higher dosages of painkillers containing, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug can be administered. In addition to this medication, to help ease the skin sensation, a calamine lotion can help to soothe the area. Your doctor may want to prescribe a specific anti-viral agent, orally or by injection. These are more likely to be used for herpes shingles affecting one side of the face, forehead and most especially the eyes area. Herpes shingles in these areas is very dangerous and poses risk in developing blindness in the eyes.
Herpes shingles affecting the eyes can be treated by the eye specialist or ophthalmologist. It has to be dealt with as soon as early symptoms are visible. It can be treatment by anti-viral eye drops and oral antibiotics.
Herpes shingle can have other complications and this is the post herpetic neuralgia. Post herpetic neuralgia is a pain that persist even after the rashes are healed and could take up to more than six months. Treatment of PHN can be frustration. You can use a single method or even combination of these methods under your doctor’s supervision.
Herpes shingles is incurable and there’s not much to avoid shingles. If you have shingles you should stay away from other people until the blisters have dried down, as there are virus are active at this state. The risk is that people who have caught chickenpox before might catch it from you. Those at particular risk are people whose immune systems are compromised and other risks mentioned before.
Herpes