#!/usr/local/bin/php
Shingles, caused by the herpes zoster virus, is a common and often all-too-invasive illness that can sometimes pose a serious health threat to sufferers. It begins as a pain under the skin, which may be present for a week or two before a rash of blisters begins to develop. The rash most commonly develops on the torso, but can sometimes develop on the face or neck, and remains confined to the area along the affected nerve.
Other symptoms include an aching or burning pain, reddened skin, skin sensitivity, headache, and fever. The blisters will usually scab over and begin healing within a couple of weeks. Like chickenpox, it is very important to refrain from scratching the blisters in order to avoid scarring.
If shingles spreads to the face, there is a chance that it could affect the eye, and should therefore be monitored very closely.
Shingles are caused by the release of stored chicken pox virus that lies dormant within nerve cells. The exact reason for this release of the virus has yet to be determined, but there seems to be a correlation between old age and shingles cases, as well as those with a weak immune system. People with diseases such as cancer or HIV, or those who have recently undergone surgery are more at risk for developing shingles.
Possible Complications
If shingles develops on the face, it may spread to the eyelids and eventually to the eye itself. This can sometimes lead a condition called uveitis or iritis, which is inflammation of the eye. If this occurs, it may cause the eye to swell, become extremely sensitive to any light, have blurred vision, and redness.
The virus may also scratch the cornea, thereby increasing risk of the eye becoming infected by bacteria, and there is a chance that it could leave scars that can affect vision. The virus might also affect the retina and/or optic nerve, and could eventually cause partial or full blindness, glaucoma, or cataracts if left untreated.
There is also a chance that the virus may go directly to the nerves in the eye, causing inflammation, glaucoma, or corneal ulcers. These problems might occur during the initial shingles outbreak, or may appear months after the rash appeared.
What if the pain won’t go away?
A shingles outbreak typically only lasts a few weeks. However, for many people, the pain associated with the outbreak will continue for months or even years afterward. This condition is called “post-herpetic neuralgia,” or PHN, and is very difficult to treat. It is caused by damage to the nerves during the shingles outbreak, and the nerves often take a long time to repair themselves. This condition is more likely to occur in older patients, but anyone with a weakened immune system is prone to developing PHN.
The pain from PHN can be very severe, sometimes to the point of being debilitating. Although there is little that can be done to prevent this condition, there are several methods of treatment that may help reduce the pain associated with it.
Aside from prescription painkillers, a method called TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, may be used. This involves sending low-level electrical currents to the affected area, which is thought to cause the body to produce endorphins that serve as a natural painkiller. This method is not effective for everyone, however.
Another method of pain relief is for a doctor to inject medication that serves as a nerve blocker into the affected area. This essentially numbs the area, and temporarily relieves pain.
Is it contagious?
Shingles is not contagious to anyone who has had chickenpox before. However, for those who have never had chickenpox, it is possible for them to catch it through contact with someone who has shingles. The fluid from the blisters carries the chickenpox virus, and can pass it on to susceptible persons if they come into direct contact with the fluid. Since most cases of shingles occur on the torso, and are usually covered by clothing, it is unlikely that anyone will come into direct contact with the blisters. If you have a family member or friend who has developed shingles, and you have never had chickenpox, it’s a good idea to refrain from helping clean the affected area, or applying ointments.
Treatment:
Treatment for shingles consists of antiviral medication, ointment for the rash, and pain relievers. If the eye is affected, an ophthalmologist will most likely prescribe anti-viral medication, eye drops, and/or ointment for the eye itself. Occasionally, corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce the risk of damage to the nerves that can lead to PHN.
Sources:
http://www.steen-hall.com/zoster.html
http://familydoctor.org/574.xml
http://www.eyecarespecialists.com/shingles.htm
http://www.kellogg.umich.edu/patientcare/conditions.zoster.html
Shingles