Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Remedy For Shingles On Abdomen In An Elderly Person
Question: I am 68 years old and seemed to be in excellent health. Good blood tests at the end of October. I erupted in shingles on my stomach last night night, and the rash progressed during the day. I am experiencing flu-like symptoms and light sensitivity. I have a strong skin and can't recall ever having a rash, except measles and chicken pox as a child. I think I might have had poison ivy or poison oak as a child as well, but not serious.
Rarely become ill , even when everyone else in my office does.
What factors might elicit an outbreak? I am, of course, annoyed with myself for procrastinating on the vaccine.
Rarely become ill , even when everyone else in my office does.
What factors might elicit an outbreak? I am, of course, annoyed with myself for procrastinating on the vaccine.
Brief Answer:
Shingles in old age is due to waning immunity to varicella zoster virus
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic.
I have gone through your query and I have understood your concern. Shingles or herpes zoster is caused by recativation of Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV). This is the same virus which causes chicken pox in children. Once this virus is acquired in childhood it stays dormant in spinal nerve ganglion throughout the life of a person. In old age, as immunity to the virus falls Or wanes, this virus might reactivate and multiply and travel along the nerve to skin and thus forms a rash which is called, shingles.
Regards
Shingles in old age is due to waning immunity to varicella zoster virus
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic.
I have gone through your query and I have understood your concern. Shingles or herpes zoster is caused by recativation of Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV). This is the same virus which causes chicken pox in children. Once this virus is acquired in childhood it stays dormant in spinal nerve ganglion throughout the life of a person. In old age, as immunity to the virus falls Or wanes, this virus might reactivate and multiply and travel along the nerve to skin and thus forms a rash which is called, shingles.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My understanding from your answer is that the onset can be simple aging. To your knowledge, is there a stress-related factor?
Do you have a suggestion about a creme such as hydrocortisone cream or penatine
(sp?) to use tonight before I see doc tomorrow.
Do you have a suggestion about a creme such as hydrocortisone cream or penatine
(sp?) to use tonight before I see doc tomorrow.
Brief Answer:
Definite treatment is with Oral antiviral;Hydrocortisone is contraindicated
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Age related decline in immunity is the single most important factor in onset of shingles. Stress too can play a role as it also lowers immunity.
Hydrocortisone is absolutely contraindicated for application in shingles because it is a steroid and therefore might make it worse. You may either use a bland cream like penaten (contains Zinc Oxide) Or else you may use a topical antibacterial cream e.g Neomycin.
However, definitive treatment of herpes zoster Or shingles is with Oral Antivirals and they should ideally be started within the first 72 hours of onset of shingles. I suggest that you visit a doctor in your vicinity for the needful as Oral antiviral are prescription medications.
Regards
Definite treatment is with Oral antiviral;Hydrocortisone is contraindicated
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Age related decline in immunity is the single most important factor in onset of shingles. Stress too can play a role as it also lowers immunity.
Hydrocortisone is absolutely contraindicated for application in shingles because it is a steroid and therefore might make it worse. You may either use a bland cream like penaten (contains Zinc Oxide) Or else you may use a topical antibacterial cream e.g Neomycin.
However, definitive treatment of herpes zoster Or shingles is with Oral Antivirals and they should ideally be started within the first 72 hours of onset of shingles. I suggest that you visit a doctor in your vicinity for the needful as Oral antiviral are prescription medications.
Regards
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
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
