Treating Shingles to Relieve Pain and Itchiness
Treating shingles isn't the sort of thing that gets a lot of grant funding or high-profile stories published about it, since the herpes zoster virus doesn't actually kill people. However, shingles sufferers say that the pain is most unbearable because the virus attacks and, in some cases, destroys the nerve endings. Doctors say to come in for a visit within 72 hours of noticing the rash to prevent long-term pain from lingering long after the blisters have gone.
Once a diagnosis has been made, you will begin your shingles medication treatment with antiviral medicine that targets the root cause of your symptoms. Doctors say you should begin your treatment within two days of noticing the shingles rash to decrease your risk of developing complications like post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is the chronic pain that persists for weeks, months or even years after the lesions heal. If the virus is not directly attacked, then it may actually damage nerve endings, which can be very difficult to treat. In fact, it's estimated that 40-50% of patients do not respond to treatment for PHN treatment at all.
Antiviral medications used in treating shingles includes acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir. Acyclovir, which is said to have ushered in a "new era of antiviral therapy," is also used to treat the herpes simplex virus, ocular herpes and Bell's palsy. It's commonly marketed under the following names: Cyclovir, Herpex, Acivir, Acivirax, Zovirax, Aciclovir and Zovir. Side effects for this drug may include nausea, vomiting, malaise, diarrhea and hallucinations. Famciclovir, marketed as Famvir, is used to treat genital herpes, cold sores and shingles. Side effects may include upset stomach, headache and a mild fever. Valacyclovir, marketed as Valtrex or Zilitrex, and is considered an effective treatment for all the herpes viruses, although nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headaches are possible.
In addition to taking over-the-counter pain medicine and antiviral medication, there are some "at home" kind of things you can do for treating shingles to make life more bearable. First, keep the affected area clean, dry and exposed to air as often as possible. Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes, scratching or popping the blisters (as this can spread the infection). In some cases, people have bound the area with elastic sports bandages to prevent rubbing. Secondly, you should ice the area for ten minutes every few hours and apply cool, wet compresses soaked in aluminum acetate astringent solution, powder or effervescent tablets during the first four days. You can desensitize your nerve endings by crushing up two aspirin, mixing them with two tablespoons of rubbing alcohol and rubbing them directly on the blisters three times a day.
Related topics about Treating Shingles
Treatment For Shingles Pain
Treatment for shingles pain ranges greatly, depending on the doctor and the patient's response, says Dr. Anne Louise Oaklander MD, PhD of Massachusetts. "Some people may find that over the counter anti-inflammatory and pain relief is adequate, such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen," she explains, "but substantial numbers of people will need prescribed pain medications by their physician.
What Is the Shingles Herpes Virus?
The herpes viruses thrive on close contact for transmission. Oral and genital herpes are spread through sexual contact primarily, for instance. The Epstein-Barr virus is spread through tissue transplants, transfusions and from parent to child.
The Shingles Virus Explained
Many people wonder if the shingles virus is contagious. While the chickenpox virus is extremely contagious and easily spreads from one person to the next via contact with the skin or lesion fluid, a person cannot get shingles from someone who has shingles. However, a person who has never had chickenpox can get the virus from someone with an active case of shingles.