Shingles - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Shingles is very common. Shingles (herpes zoster) is an outbreak of rash or blisters on the skin that is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox - the varicella-zoster virus. As early as 1909, scientists suspected that the viruses causing chickenpox and shingles were one and the same. In the 1920s and 1930s, the case was strengthened by an experiment in which children were inoculated with fluid from shingles blisters. One attack of shingles provides immunity. Most people recover without any aftermath, except for some scarring of the skin. But in some cases, most often in the elderly, a painful neuragia may persist for months or years.

Most people who get shingles are more than 50 years old or have a weak immune system. The disease often begins with what may appear to be flulike symptoms-chills, fever, malaise, and gastrointestinal complaints.Although painful, typically shingles isn't a serious condition. Sometimes, however, the rash can lead to a debilitating complication called postherpetic neuralgia. Fifty percent of all Americans will have had shingles by the time they are 80.

Shingles is distinctive because it affects only one side of the body. Shingles is derived from the Latin and French words for belt or girdle, reflecting distribution of the rash in a broad band. The chickenpox virus (varicella) remains in a dormant state in the body in the root of nerves that control sensation. The majority of people with shingles, however, are healthy. No special tests need to be done to see if your immune system is strong. It occurs only in people who have had chickenpox in the past and represents a reactivation of the dormant varicella virus. Another name for shingles is herpes zoster. Once you are infected with this kind of virus, it remains in your body for life. There is no specifictreatment for shingles. A cortisonelike drug, if prescribed early, may relieve pain in severe cases. Wet compresses are soothing. Aspirin alone or with codeine, taken every four-to six hours, may relieve pain. Large doses of vitamin B 12 have been reported to be helpful in some cases.

Causes of Shingles

Caused by the virus of chickenpox, herpes zoster js an acute nerve inflammation with effects on the skin as well. It may occur at any age but is most common after 50. The most comman causes of Shingles include the following :

• A weakened immune system (This may be age-related, disease-related, or a drug-related decrease in ability to keep the chickenpox virus in an inactive state.)
• Radiation treatments
• Injury of the skin where the rash occurs
• Shingles is caused by a germ called varicella-zoster virus -- the one that gave you chickenpox when you were a child.

Symptoms of Shingles

Some sign and symptoms related to Shingles are as follows :

• The first symptom of shingles is often extreme sensitivity or pain in a broad band on one side of the body. The sensation can be itching, tingling, burning, constant aching, or deep, shooting, or lightning bolt pain.
• The rash disappears as the scabs fall off in the next 2-3 weeks, and scarring may result.
• A tingling feeling on the skin, itchiness or a stabbing pain. After several days, a rash appears beginning as a band or patch of raised dots on the side of the trunk or face.
• The most common location for shingles is a band, called a dermatome, spanning one side of the trunk around the waistline.
• The second most common location is on one side of the face around the eye and on the forehead. However, shingles can involve any part of the body.
• The blisters usually crust over and fall off after 7 to 10 days. You may see changes in the color of your skin when the scabs fall off.

Treatment of Shingles

Treatment of Shingles are as follows :

• Shingles of the eye is treated with antiviral medicines and steroids.
• Your doctor might also have you take a steroid medicine to reduce your pain and swelling. 
• Do not scratch. This may increase the risk of bacterial infection and scarring. Antihistamines can relieve the itching.
• Apply cool tap-water compresses to weeping blisters for 20 minutes several times a day to soothe and help dry the blisters.
• Two medications available for use by physicians in treating immunocompromised patients are vidarabine and acyclovir.
• Sometimes tricyclic antidepressants or certain anticonvulsants are helpful.
• Pain medication is often necessary.
• Sometimes, cortisone steroids are used to decrease inflammation. Topical medications may be used to soothe the area or prevent infection