What is Shingles?
Shingles, caused by the herpes zoster virus, is an infection that causes a painful rash. In most cases the pain is very severe. Shingles usually begin as an itching or tingling of the skin several days before the rash appears. The rash from shingles is usually located on one side of the body, in the chest, back or stomach area. Shingles can also form around one eye, or on one side of the face or neck. One in every ten people that have had chickenpox will get shingles.
Causes of Shingles
Shingles is caused by the same herpes virus that causes chickenpox. Once you have had chickenpox the virus lays dormant in your nerves then years later can reactivate as shingles. Anyone who has had chickenpox or had the varicella vaccine can develop shingles.
Having a weakened immune system predisposes those who have the virus to develop shingles. Various disorders or medical treatments that can cause this effect are illustrated in the fast facts section.
Treatments for Shingles
An episode of shingles usually clears up on its own in a few weeks but your doctor may prescribe anti-viral medications, medications to relieve inflammation and pain. Things you can do at home to help the healing process is to get plenty of rest, avoid stress and practice relaxation techniques. Exercises that incorporate meditation, such as Tai Chi, Yoga and Qigong have been found to be helpful. http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/apr2007/nia-06.htm http://www.thecamreport.com/category/g-conditions-to-treat/shingles/ http://adam.about.com/reports/000082_2.htm
There is a vaccine for shingles that is discussed in the featured video below. It is a one shot vaccine that costs about $300.
You can also apply calamine lotion or 1% hydrocortisone cream to relieve the itch. Wash the blisters once or twice a day but don't bandage them or take a comfortable cool bath. If you have not received pain relievers from you doctor you can take an over-the-counter brand to relieve the pain of shingles.
Dietary deficiencies in lysine are associated with more frequent episodes of shingles as well as with herpes simplex. There are supplements that you can take and creams that have lysine. You can also make sure that your diet has an adequate amount of protein, such as red meat, pork, and poultry, cheeses (Parmesan is really good), cod and sardines, nuts, eggs, soybeans and soybean products (tofu, soy protein, and soybean flour), spirulina, and fenugreek seed. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/lysine-000312.htm
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have Shingles, please consult your doctor.
About Shingles and a Vaccine
If you had the chicken pox virus when you were young, then there is a chance that it can be reactivated in your body when you get older, particularly if was not eliminated by your immune system when you had it as a child. The rash caused by shingles goes into the nerve roots and causes pain. In some cases, in can affect the chest and eyes. There is a shingles vaccine that is recommended for everyone over the age of 60. It helps you avoid or reduce significantly the changes of having this disease. Only one shot is required for it to take effect. It costs about $300 and not every health insurance company provides coverage for this. But one little shot can save you a lot of pain.
Shingles Support Groups
- DailyStrength: Shingles Support Community
References
Fast Facts
-
Synonym
Herpes zoster
-
Causal agent
-
Cause
Prior infection by chickepox, weakened immune system awaken the virus in the nerve tissues (in the dorsal root ganglia)
-
Population at risk
Elderly, those with cancers like leukemia or lymphoma, HIV infected, those on immunosuppressive medications such as steroids or chemotherapy, those who have undergone bone marrow transplants, lysine deficiency
-
Number affected
About 1 million Americans yearly
-
Percent of population at risk
98% of the U. S. population is serologically positive for this virus, but about lifetime risk is about 30%
-
Symptoms
-
Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN)
persistent pain that outlasts the rash
-
Percentage of those with PHN
20% of all people that have had shingles
-
Period of contagiouness
A person is In the blister phase; after developing a crust there is no risk
