Shingles is a rash that follows the nerve endings along the skin. This is an unpleasant health problem that is caused by the varicella zoster virus. It is most common in older individuals who have decreased immune systems.
If you have a history of having chickenpox, you are at risk of having shingles since the condition is caused by the same virus. This virus remains dormant in your system after the chickenpox episode. For some reason or another, it could turn into reactivated causing shingles.
There is no permanent cure for the condition and the treatments are based on minimizing the pain and length of the shingles episode. There are some typical medical shingles treatment choices that your physician could prescribe to alleviate your symptoms. Let's talk more about them.
Antiviral medicines are normally prescribed as soon as an individual has been diagnosed with this health problem by their physician. OTC pain medications can also be used to decrease the pain that is associated with swelling. Antibiotics could be applied to the skin to stop any sort of infection from the shingle blisters.
Doctors normally rely on antiviral medicines to provide shingles treatment. These can reduce the pain in addition to the duration of the illness. If they are started within three days of a shingles eruption, there will also be less chances of developing post herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir are the most common antiviral medicines that are suggested by physicians.
The discomfort caused by shingles blisters can also be minimized by having some over the counter medicines, such as ibuprofen and aspirin. They can be remarkably valuable in assisting to tolerate the condition before the antiviral medication starts to effect.
If the blisters open, there is always a risk of infections. In those situations, some topical antibiotics that are applied directly to the afflicted location can be valuable. They will also accelerate the recovery time.
About 1 in every 10 sufferers shingles will develop post herpetic neuralgia. This is even more unpleasant condition than regular shingles, and the recovery duration could last months or even years. There are some medications to treat PHN also.
For example, a doctor may suggest some antidepressants for individuals with PHN. Additionally, topical anesthetics lidocaine, benzocaine, and lidoderm can be useful. Often the pain is so extreme that the patient need to take some strong opioid.
Specialists will commonly prescribe their patients a shingles treatment that is created to decrease the duration of this uncomfortable eruption. They could also offer pain medicines. Some individuals go on to develop PHN, and this painful health problem can last up to all year. Finally, I want to remind you that effective stress management is one the best natural shingles home remedies you can find.
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