Are you one of the millions of people suffering from the pain of a herpes zoster outbreak? Herpes zoster is the wrath of chickenpox, otherwise known as shingles that affects millions of people in the US every year. Shingles is a painful red rash that turns into blisters that leak a clear fluid when the blister breaks open.
Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. The Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) stays dormant in the body after a chickenpox infection that usually occurs in children. If your immune system becomes compromised later in life, this could result in reactivation of the virus, resulting in a painful case of shingles zoster.
What causes the Immune System to be compromised?
Shingles or VZV can be distinguished from Varicella or Chickenpox by the fact that it begins as a tingling or burning of the skin which follows the nerve route and only appears on one side of the body. Common causes for this viral infection include prolonged exposure to stress, chemotherapy patients, anti-rejection medications for transplant recipients and HIV/AIDS. All these sources weaken the immune system, thus allowing the dormant virus to come alive wreaking havoc on the body.
The pain and discomfort from Herpes Zoster can be debilitating and must be managed with pain medications. In order for the pain medications to work, they must be taken within 72 hours of the first onset of symptoms. Unfortunately, the pain and discomfort can last up to six months and in some cases become chronic, lasting for many years.
Dealing with the pain:
Herpes Zoster can be painful and uncomfortable resulting in the need for pain medications and antivirals. In order for the antivirals to have the proper affect, they must be administered within 72 hours of the initial onset of symptoms.
Medication Management:
Corticosteroids for pain: Prednisone taken together with acyclovir can reduce the pain of shingles by reducing the nerve inflammation caused by active infection. It has also been shown to decrease residual nerve damage.
Analgesic: Mild to moderate pain is generally managed with over-the-counter pain medications while severe pain requires a stronger narcotic pain medication prescribed by a doctor.
Skin lotions such as calamine are great for combating pain when applied to the leaking blisters. In addition, capsaicin is effective for blisters that have crusted over. Furthermore, pain patches such as lidocaine or Xylocaine and nerve blocks are highly effective in easing zoster infection pain.
Herpes Zoster Keratitis, also known as Eye Shingles is a severe complication of the shingles infection. It is generally treated with antivirals and can unfortunately cause temporary or permanent blindness. This condition requires the immediate assistance of a medical professional.
Postherpetic Neuralgia is another serious complication of the zoster virus. In this case, the victim experiences severe pain long after the blisters have healed. This pain can last six months or longer and requires the aid of topical skin applications, analgesics, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants in order to manage it.
The Herpes Zoster Virus is most common in people age sixty or older, however children and young adults contract this virus as well. Anyone who has not had the chickenpox should be vaccinated, if not, and you come in to contact with someone who has an active shingles infection, you could find yourself with the first case of chickenpox. In addition, it is important to remember that those having previously had the chickenpox are most vulnerable to the shingles infection.
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