In The Venue

Shingles treatment is focused on pain management and applying topical medication for the rash, however complications from Shingles can be severe so you should make sure and see your doctor if you believe you have Shingles.

Shingles Definition

The Shingles disease can affect anyone but it generally targets people sixty years old and over. To get Shingles, you must have had Chicken Pox at some point in your life. Shingles has flu-like symptoms that include aches and pains. These symptoms are usually accompanied by small blisters or a rash. Shingles is highly contagious disease until the rash or watery blisters scab over. The pain of the disease most often subsides when the rash disappears; however in some cases the pain will continue even years after the outward signs have disappeared. You can get Shingles more than once.

Often the lesions first form in a band or line on one side of your body. But the first indication of the disease will sometimes be one, single blister. The blisters may spread to both sides of the body as the disease continues.

Shingles can cause blindness. If you have blisters anywhere near your eyes you need to see the doctor immediately. The disease can spread to your eyes and cause damage.

Diagnosis

Generally the doctor will look at the rash or blisters and discuss a patient’s pain level and be able to determine if the disease is Shingles. There are several tests that can be done for confirmation. One of the available tests is called the Tzanck Smear. The doctor will open a blister and take out fluid and skin cells and then put the sample on a slide with a special stain. Then the slide will be viewed under a microscope to check for specific viral changes.

Other tests include viral cultures or antibody tests done on the blisters. These test results can be faster. Another test might consist of a skin biopsy of the rash. This biopsy can be viewed under a microscope with a culture of the tissue done if there aren’t any blisters to examine.

Medical Treatment

If Shingles is identified within 24-72 hours of the first blister or the onset of a rash, Doctors can treat the disease with an antiviral medication. The antiviral medications used to treat Shingles are acyclovir, known as Zovirax; valacyclovir, known as Valtrex; or famciclover, known as Famvir.

These medicines are only effective if used during the first 72 hours so it is important to call your doctor immediately and let them know you suspect Shingles. Baring this medication, the medical options to treat Shingles includes pain medication and cream to treat the itching.

Treating The Pain

Shingles can cause enormous amounts of pain and doctors use pain as a major diagnosing factor for determining that you have the disease. The most frequently recommended pain medication for Shingles includes acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or tricyclic antidepressants.

If Shingles pain increases and becomes PHN or postherpetic neuralgia, more powerful pain medication can be prescribed. PHN is often treated with oxycodone or morphine. If the patient doesn’t respond to the usual pain treatment they may be referred to a pain management specialist.

Treating The Itch

The itching symptom may be treated by a topical steroid cream or a natural option. Doctors will recommend that you not scratch the blisters or rash. This recommendation is because of the risk of a secondary bacterial infection under the skin.

Itching may also cause scarring or might spread the blisters to other parts of your body or to your eyes, mouth, etc. Oral antihistamines like Benadryl may also be recommended. One natural remedy is to soak in a bath with a nylon sock full of oatmeal.

Vaccine

In 2006 a vaccine was developed for Shingles. This vaccine is decreases your chance of getting the disease by about fifty percent. It can also reduce the severity of the symptoms of Shingles. The vaccination is costs about $200 and is usually not covered by insurance. This vaccine is not covered by Medicare Part B.

Complications

Shingles complications can literally be deadly. Patient can contract eye damage, internal organ damage, pneumonia, encephalitis of the brain, and even death in extreme cases.

Shingles pain can be excruciating. It normally disappears with the rash and blisters, however in some cases it can last long after the rash and blisters are gone. Shingles symptoms vary widely with each individual.

If your family has a history of Shingles it is important to be watchful for the disease because your chances of developing the disease increase because of this history. Having a strong immune system is one of the things that can help you resist Shingles. Eating healthy, getting moderate exercise and plenty of fresh air and sunshine is one of your best defenses against the disease.