Chickenpox is a common childhood disease. A child or adult with chickenpox may develop hundreds of itchy, fluid-filled blisters that burst and form crusts which can leave scars. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes shingles in adults. Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is a painful rash. If you get a cold sore on your lip area this is herpes simplex virus one. Once a person has had chickenpox, the virus can remain alive but inactive within nerve roots. If it becomes active again, which usually occurs later in life, it can cause shingles. Out of all of the people who have had chickenpox, only about 1 to 3 per thousand healthy individuals under 65 years old will get shingles. This number goes up to as high as 12 per thousand for those older than 65.
When someone becomes infected, with chicken pox, the pox will usually appear within nine to twenty two days. People become contagious one to two days before breaking out with pox. They remain contagious while uncrusted blisters are present. Most cases of chickenpox occur in children under the age of 10. The disease is usually mild, although serious complications can occur. Adults and older children usually get sicker than younger children.
Most people with chickenpox display symptoms such as a fever, headache, tummy ache, or loss of appetite for a day or two before breaking out in a rash. These symptoms often last a few days after breaking out. oatmeal baths in warm water provide comfort and a coating on the skin. An oral antihistamine can help to ease the itching, as can topical, unscented lotions. It is also effective to trim the fingernails short to reduce secondary infections and scarring from the scratching habit.
Although preventative vaccinations are available remember that because chickenpox is airborne and highly contagious before the rash appears, it is almost impossible to be completely protected against. It is possible to catch chickenpox from someone, who does not even know they have chickenpox! Unlike chickenpox, you can't catch shingles from someone who has it. However, if you have shingles and you are around someone who never had chickenpox then that can be a virus you pass to them so they can get end up with the pox. Early signs of shingles include burning, shooting pain, tingling and/or itching, usually on one side of the body or face. The pain can range from mild to severe. Then blisters form and can last from up to two weeks.
There is no cure for shingles. The pain of shingles can last for weeks, months or even years after the blisters have healed. Early treatment with medicines that fight the virus may help. These medicines are also used to prevent lingering pain. The new shingles vaccine, called zostavax, is only approved for people over 60 years old and it is still only effective for about half of the people who have been vaccinated.
Antiviral medicines can help reduce the pain and duration of shingles while pain medicines, antidepressants, and topical creams can help to relieve long-term pain. Herbal remedies which soothe the rash and help the body fight the virus include but are not limited to: Lemon Balm. Echinacea and Garlic, Chickweed and Chamomile. If you know someone with shingles warn them about exposing kids who never had chickenpox to their rash.
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