A type of viral infection causing painful rashes is shingles. According to skin doctor in salt Lake, in any part of your body, it can happen. However, the appearance of it is mostly as a single stripe of blisters wrapping around either the right or left side of your torso. The varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox, is responsible for this condition. The other name of shingles is herpes zoster. A skin specialist in Kolkata informed us that the virus lies inactive in the nerve tissue near your brain and spinal cord after you had chickenpox. Shingles happen when the virus reactivates. There can be an extreme pain in this condition, although it is not contagious. You will have fewer complications if there is early treatment.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of shingles include:
- Pain, numbness, tingling or burning
- A red rash that develops a few days after the pain
- Sensitive to touch
- Fluid-filled blisters that burst and crust over
- Itching
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
You must consult the best dermatologist in Kolkata without any delay if you have these symptoms.
Risk factors
Anyone can have shingles if he/she ever had chickenpox. The following factors can increase your risk of developing shingles:
- Having certain diseases: Your risk of shingles can increase because of diseases that weaken your immune system.
- Being older than 50: In people older than 50, shingles is more common.
- Taking certain medications: If you take steroids or other medications that weaken your immune system, you have the risk of shingles.
- Undergoing cancer treatments: Shingles can develop due to radiation and chemotherapy as these often lower your resistance to diseases.
Complications
There can be various complications due to shingles. These include:
- Loss of vision: Painful eye infections can happen if shingles develop in and around your eyes. It may ultimately lead to vision loss.
- Postherpetic neuralgia: Even after the blisters are cleared, shingles pain can continue in some people.
- Skin infections: Bacterial skin infections may develop if you don’t have proper treatment for shingles blisters.
- Neurological problems: Shingles can cause inflammation of the brain, facial paralysis or problems in hearing or balance, depending on the affected nerves.
Diagnosis
By doing a physical exam, a
skin doctor in Salt Lake can diagnose shingles. He/she will check your medical history and ask you questions about your medical condition. From your blisters, the doctor can collect some samples for testing.
Treatment
There will be less risk of complications and you will heal faster by taking antiviral drugs. If you take the medicines within 3 days from the beginning of a rash, it will be more effective. The doctor normally prescribes one of the following medicines for fighting the virus:
- Acyclovir (Zovirax)
- Famciclovir (Famvir)
- Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
For treating shingles pain, the following medicines may help:
- Anticonvulsants
- Antidepressants
- Medicated lotions
- Cool compresses
- Painkillers
- Numbing agents