Herpes Zoster Shingles - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Herpes Zoster Shingles - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Herpes zoster is commonly known as shingles. It is also known simply as herpes zoster or shingles. Shingles or herpes zoster is a nerve infection that results from reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox. The chickenpox virus (varicella zoster) continues to reside in a dormant state in the nervous system of the body after a bout of chickenpox. He can go to cause shingles many years after the chickenpox.

Causes shingles

The factors that cause the virus to be reactivated are not clear. We only know that the virus bursts nerve cell bodies and moves down the nerve to cause viral infection of the skin near the nerve. It is possible that decreased immunity can trigger shingles outbreak. Illness, stress and trauma can also trigger herpes zoster. Cancer, AIDS, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, immunosuppressive and cortisone can also make people susceptible to shingles.

Shingles symptoms

Herpes zoster or shingles causes more pain and less itching than chickenpox. In the early stages of shingles, a person may feel a burning or tingling sensation on the skin. Skin becomes very sensitive to a zone on one side of the body. The painful sensation persists for one to three days, after which a rash develops in the same area. This may be accompanied by a headache or fever.

The rash develops quickly blisters containing a clear liquid. Bulbs later turn yellow or bloody before forming a crust or scab. Blisters usually heal after two to four weeks scarring and discoloration of the skin.

Shingles is often very painful because the virus travels along the nerve to the skin, causing damage and inflammation of the affected nerve. The pain can be so severe that painkillers become necessary.

Shingles or herpes zoster usually affects the trunk and buttocks, but it can also appear on the face, neck, arms or legs. Blisters that appear on the nose may indicate the possible involvement of the eyes. Shingles on the face near the eye should be treated immediately to prevent possible permanent eye damage.

Shingles treatment

Shingles usually clears up by itself in a few days. However, a victim of shingles may require painkillers to relieve the discomfort. Cold compresses may also bring relief. If the infection is diagnosed early, oral antiviral medications may be prescribed within 72 hours from the time the rash appears. Antiviral drugs do not cure shingles, but it helps to heal the rash more quickly. The severity of symptoms will be minimized. Antiviral drugs can also prevent painful complications such as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Corticosteroids may be prescribed along with analgesics to reduce inflammation and pain. If postherpetic neuralgia develops, antidepressants and anticonvulsants may be helpful.