Shingles or Herpes Zoster is a painful skin rash with small fluid filled vesicles that usually appears in a band or patch on one side of the body or face. It is caused by the chicken pox virus, and only occurs in people who have previously had chicken pox.
Once you have had chicken pox, the virus remains dormant in your body and may be triggered again to cause shingles. This usually occurs in older adults and people who have weak immune systems because of stress, injury, certain medicines, or other reasons. Most people who get shingles will get better and will not get it again.
You can't catch shingles from someone who has it, but there is a small chance of contracting chicken pox with close contact with the rash.
People who are developing shingles may feel unwell for a few days and then have pain or tingling in the area where the rash later develops. The rash turns into clusters of blisters that crust over and may leave scars. The rash may last 2-4 weeks and can be quite painful. It is usually treated with antiviral medications. These shorten the course and decrease the severity of the episode. These are most effective if taken early, so see your doctor as soon as you suspect you may have shingles.
If you have extreme pain, dizziness, confusion, problems with your vision or if the rash affects your eyes, see your doctor right away.
Come see me at the clinic if you need a check up. Call 326-8221 for an appointment or walk right in.
Love yourself, take care of your health!
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-topic-overview
Once you have had chicken pox, the virus remains dormant in your body and may be triggered again to cause shingles. This usually occurs in older adults and people who have weak immune systems because of stress, injury, certain medicines, or other reasons. Most people who get shingles will get better and will not get it again.
You can't catch shingles from someone who has it, but there is a small chance of contracting chicken pox with close contact with the rash.
People who are developing shingles may feel unwell for a few days and then have pain or tingling in the area where the rash later develops. The rash turns into clusters of blisters that crust over and may leave scars. The rash may last 2-4 weeks and can be quite painful. It is usually treated with antiviral medications. These shorten the course and decrease the severity of the episode. These are most effective if taken early, so see your doctor as soon as you suspect you may have shingles.
If you have extreme pain, dizziness, confusion, problems with your vision or if the rash affects your eyes, see your doctor right away.
Come see me at the clinic if you need a check up. Call 326-8221 for an appointment or walk right in.
Love yourself, take care of your health!
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-topic-overview
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