Shingles
- Symptoms and Treatments
Shingles results from the dormant
chicken pox virus in your system becoming active again. The symptoms
include rash-like bumps that most often develop on one side of your
body at a time in the chest region. The first symptoms include sensitivity
to light, headaches, and flu-like aches and pains. Next, the rash
forms. The rash is made up small, fluid-filled blisters that dry
up and heal over a period of 2 to 4 weeks, and may leave small scars.
Though shingles is not contagious, you are able to spread the chickenpox
virus when you have a rash, so avoid contact with others.
Treatment of shingles:
It is important to catch shingles early because it may resist medications
as it gets worse. Your doctor may prescribe any of the following
treatments:
- Antiviral medications
- Corticosteroids
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- Antibiotics
Though shingles isn’t a serious condition,
it is something that you should monitor closely to determine if
it is spreading or worsening. If it doesn’t subside with treatment,
your doctor may prescribe further medications to halt the progress.
Talk to your physician if you suspect you or someone you know may
have shingles.
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