Shingles
DEFINITION
Shingles, also known as Herpes zoster, is an acute infection
caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV). This is
the same virus which causes chickenpox.
caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV). This is
the same virus which causes chickenpox.
DESCRIPTION
Shingles is an infection or inflammation of the nerves that
lie just beneath the skin’s surface. After chickenpox, the virus
retreats to the nervous system (in the spinal cord and nerve cell)
and appears later in the form of Shingles. It often appears when
the immune system is weakened. Shingles causes severe skin
irritation and inflammation of the affected area.
lie just beneath the skin’s surface. After chickenpox, the virus
retreats to the nervous system (in the spinal cord and nerve cell)
and appears later in the form of Shingles. It often appears when
the immune system is weakened. Shingles causes severe skin
irritation and inflammation of the affected area.
The pain occurs as a result of damage to the nerves which then
produces strong nerve impulses passed to the brain. There may be
permanent nerve damage with numbness of the skin as well as
scarring. If the rash from Shingles erupts near or on the eye
permanent damage may result. Shingles is not contagious although a
person who has not had chickenpox may catch chickenpox from a
person who has Shingles.
produces strong nerve impulses passed to the brain. There may be
permanent nerve damage with numbness of the skin as well as
scarring. If the rash from Shingles erupts near or on the eye
permanent damage may result. Shingles is not contagious although a
person who has not had chickenpox may catch chickenpox from a
person who has Shingles.
CAUSE
Shingles has been associated with ageing (the vast majority of
cases are reported in people over 50 years of age), a weakened
immune system, trauma, excessive sun exposure or chickenpox in
children who are exposed either before birth or before 18 months of
age. Contact with a child who is suffering from chickenpox may also
be a cause.
cases are reported in people over 50 years of age), a weakened
immune system, trauma, excessive sun exposure or chickenpox in
children who are exposed either before birth or before 18 months of
age. Contact with a child who is suffering from chickenpox may also
be a cause.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Shingles is a condition associated with extreme pain and an
extended healing time. It typically appears along one nerve branch
on one side of the body. This is usually along the back, on the
chest or on the face. An attack of Shingles is often preceded by
three or four days of chills and fever – adults. There may also be
extreme pain in the affected area. The skin in this area may be
unbearably sensitive to touch and may also become flushed. A rash
with small skin blisters appears over the affected area. This rash
may continue to appear for about one week before it shows any signs
of healing. Parts of the rash may join together and appear as a
chain around part of the body in the shape of a belt. The intensity
of the pain in the affected area may lessen after this rash has
appeared.
extended healing time. It typically appears along one nerve branch
on one side of the body. This is usually along the back, on the
chest or on the face. An attack of Shingles is often preceded by
three or four days of chills and fever – adults. There may also be
extreme pain in the affected area. The skin in this area may be
unbearably sensitive to touch and may also become flushed. A rash
with small skin blisters appears over the affected area. This rash
may continue to appear for about one week before it shows any signs
of healing. Parts of the rash may join together and appear as a
chain around part of the body in the shape of a belt. The intensity
of the pain in the affected area may lessen after this rash has
appeared.
Even when the rash disappears, pain may still be present. This
pain is called post-herpetic neuralgia or PHN. PHN occurs between
four and six weeks after the disappearance of the Shingles rash.
PHN may be a result of nerve root damage and it affects
approximately 20% of people with Shingles. PHN can last for months
or years. Older people are more susceptible to PHN and in most
cases this condition does resolve with time.
pain is called post-herpetic neuralgia or PHN. PHN occurs between
four and six weeks after the disappearance of the Shingles rash.
PHN may be a result of nerve root damage and it affects
approximately 20% of people with Shingles. PHN can last for months
or years. Older people are more susceptible to PHN and in most
cases this condition does resolve with time.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
As with all conditions your Doctor should be consulted to
diagnose and treat this condition. It is essential that Shingles is
diagnosed and treated within three days of the rash breaking out.
This greatly reduces the chances of PHN (post-herpetic neuralgia)
developing. Your Doctor may prescribe an anti-viral medication.
These drugs help to control the spread of the virus.
Pain-controlling medications are also recommended. If severe pain
is not properly managed, there is increased risk of PHN developing.
Some patients find that over-the-counter pain-relievers such as
Panadol are strong enough to relieve pain caused by Shingles. Other
patients may require stronger medication that must be prescribed by
a Doctor.
diagnose and treat this condition. It is essential that Shingles is
diagnosed and treated within three days of the rash breaking out.
This greatly reduces the chances of PHN (post-herpetic neuralgia)
developing. Your Doctor may prescribe an anti-viral medication.
These drugs help to control the spread of the virus.
Pain-controlling medications are also recommended. If severe pain
is not properly managed, there is increased risk of PHN developing.
Some patients find that over-the-counter pain-relievers such as
Panadol are strong enough to relieve pain caused by Shingles. Other
patients may require stronger medication that must be prescribed by
a Doctor.
DIET HINTS
- It is important to have a healthy, wholesome diet. Try to
include at least five servings a day of fresh fruits and
vegetables. - Legumes (peas, beans, lentils), brewer’s yeast, tuna, mackerel
and chicken provide B group vitamins which are important for nerve
health. - Eggs provide vitamin B12 and vitamin B1 that are important for
the treatment of Shingles.- Foods high in vitamin A and vitamin C
may help skin lesions. These include yellow and orange coloured
foods and citrus fruits. - Sesame seed, avocados and green leafy vegetables provide
calcium and magnesium to assist nerve function. - Essential fatty acids are important for the nervous and immune
systems. Deep sea cold water fish are good sources of essential
fatty acids e.g., mackerel, salmon and fresh tuna (tinned tuna is
usually drained of valuable oils). - Try to drink plenty of water – at least 6 to 8 glasses a
day. - A diet rich in lysine is recommended for people with Shingles.
Sources include fish, chicken, lamb, brewers’ yeast, mung beans,
eggs and oats. - Try to avoid chocolate, peanuts, nuts, cereal grains, gelatine,
carob and raisins as they are thought to promote the shingles
virus.
VITAMINS/MINERALS/HERBS
Vitamins and minerals may only be of assistance if dietary
intake is inadequate.
intake is inadequate.
- Lysine is thought to have anti-viral activity, particularly the
Shingles virus. - Vitamin B12 is thought to help with healing of blisters and the
pain associated with Shingles. Studies of B12 injections for
Shingles have shown to be beneficial. - Vitamin C is thought to have anti-viral activity and helps
boost the immune response. - Zinc helps protect against infection and boosts the immunity.
It is thought to have preventative and therapeutic
actions. - St. John’s wort is thought to have an anti-viral action and
also relieve nerve pain.
PHARMACIST’S ADVICE
Ask your Pharmacist for the latest advice.
- See your Doctor as soon as possible for treatment of
Shingles. - Follow the Diet Hints.
- Ask your Pharmacist if you have any queries about medications
prescribed by your Doctor. - Your Pharmacist may suggest some pain relieving medication such
as paracetamol if necessary. - Try applying a wet compress to lesions using sterile gauze pads
from your Pharmacy soaked in cool water. Do this several times a
day between 15 to 30 minutes at a time to help relieve the pain and
itching. - If the Shingles has scarred, smear pure Vitamin E oil onto the
scar (ensuring that the skin is unbroken) at least twice a day to
help soften the skin and reduce the severity of scarring. - Ask your Pharmacist for advice about how to keep the Shingles
lesions clean and free from infection. An antiseptic wash and cream
may be suggested. - If the diet is inadequate consider some supplements. Ask your
Pharmacist for advice.
