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How Long Do Symptoms Of Shingles Last?
Question: How long before these shingles go away completely
Brief Answer:
A few weeks, but you will feel better before that.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
I personally know the misery of having Shingles. How long it takes to completely resolve can vary depending on
1. If you get on an oral antiviral medicine (acyclovir, etc) within the first 3 days. While that won't cure it, it can lessen the pain and duration of pain.
2. How robust your immune system is at getting it in check.
3. How extensive the eruption is.
It can continue to come out for a 7-10 days, and then it will start to get better. The first week after the eruptions stop can still be very painful. I remember starting to feel considerably better by week 3. But it can take longer for the lesions to completely heal and fade, even if you are no longer having symptoms from them. Again, that depends on the extent of the initial rash.
I do recommend getting on an antiviral such as acyclovir as quickly as you can because that can greatly reduce the risk of something called post herpetic neuralgia - where the shingles are gone but a person continues to have pain.
Acyclovir is less expensive than brand names like Valcyclovir, as acyclovir is generic. It's what I used and it did a fine job.
At this point, you may also benefit from Tylenol with codeine for a few days, especially if you are having trouble sleeping at night.
I hope this information helps. Please go to an urgent care and get a prescription for acyclovir asap!
It will get better. Best wishes to you.
A few weeks, but you will feel better before that.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
I personally know the misery of having Shingles. How long it takes to completely resolve can vary depending on
1. If you get on an oral antiviral medicine (acyclovir, etc) within the first 3 days. While that won't cure it, it can lessen the pain and duration of pain.
2. How robust your immune system is at getting it in check.
3. How extensive the eruption is.
It can continue to come out for a 7-10 days, and then it will start to get better. The first week after the eruptions stop can still be very painful. I remember starting to feel considerably better by week 3. But it can take longer for the lesions to completely heal and fade, even if you are no longer having symptoms from them. Again, that depends on the extent of the initial rash.
I do recommend getting on an antiviral such as acyclovir as quickly as you can because that can greatly reduce the risk of something called post herpetic neuralgia - where the shingles are gone but a person continues to have pain.
Acyclovir is less expensive than brand names like Valcyclovir, as acyclovir is generic. It's what I used and it did a fine job.
At this point, you may also benefit from Tylenol with codeine for a few days, especially if you are having trouble sleeping at night.
I hope this information helps. Please go to an urgent care and get a prescription for acyclovir asap!
It will get better. Best wishes to you.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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