Although there is no cure, shingles can be prevented and treated. If you think you might have shingles, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Learn more about shingles. Share on Social Media Copy and paste these messages into social media to help spread the word about shingles: Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.
You can get it at any age, but your risk increases as you get older. Minus Related Pages. Quick Facts. You cannot get shingles from someone who has shingles. You can get chickenpox from someone who has shingles if you have never had chickenpox or never received the chickenpox vaccine.
To prevent spreading VZV to others: Cover the rash. Avoid touching or scratching the rash. Wash your hands often.
Avoid contact with the following people until your rash crusts: pregnant women who have never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine; premature or low birth weight infants; and people with weakened immune systems, such as people receiving immunosuppressive medications or undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, and people with human immunodeficiency virus HIV infection.
This area, regardless of its location on the body, is known as a dermatome. Look for these hallmarks of a shingles rash:. Some people also have other, more general symptoms, like :.
To diagnose shingles, your doctor will ask you some questions about your symptoms. These may include:. Doctors can usually diagnose shingles by its distinctive rash and unique symptoms. In rare cases, though, if your doctor is uncertain whether you have shingles, you may undergo a diagnostic test. Testing is more common for people with greater risk factors for complications, including:. To test for shingles, your doctor will use a swab to take a sample from a skin lesion.
This will then be tested for VZV. A positive test indicates that you have shingles. Your doctor may recommend certain medications to alleviate pain or treat infection. Valacyclovir and famciclovir are taken three times per day. All three have a 7-day course if you have an uncomplicated case of shingles. Antiviral medications offer the most benefit for people over 50 and those who are immunocompromised, since these risk factors are associated with more persistent, severe shingles symptoms.
Some people may need to take a longer course of antiviral medications or even be treated in the hospital with antivirals. This is more likely if you have the following:. Some people experience shingles on the face. This can lead to serious complications, such as :. Mild shingles pain may improve with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. Your doctor may recommend ibuprofen or acetaminophen or weak opioids , such as codeine or tramadol.
Stronger prescription opioid pain medication, such as hydrocodone, may be prescribed to treat moderate to severe shingles pain. Another option is topical pain relievers , such as lidocaine. These are applied directly to your skin for relief. You can find topical pain relievers as ointments, creams, gels, sprays, or patches. Capsaicin , which comes in a cream or a patch, may also be helpful.
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a rash, which can be painful. There are several home remedies that may provide relief from the symptoms…. Shingles usually causes a painful, blistering rash. It can also cause internal symptoms, appear without a rash, and may spread to internal organs. Shingles results in a painful, itchy rash that can lead to blistering and permanent nerve damage.
Medications can treat the condition, but many people…. Shingles normally lasts 3 to 5 weeks, but there are some factors that may affect how long it takes to heal. Learn more about what to expect. Shingles is a painful rash that usually appears on one side of a person's body. Although young people can get shingles, an estimated 50 percent of…. Is shingles contagious, and how does a person contract it?
Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. Transmission Preventing transmission Risk factors Symptoms Complications Diagnosis and treatment Prevention Takeaway We include products we think are useful for our readers.
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