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Suggest Treatment For Shingles On Shoulders And Arm
Question: Hi Dr,
I have shingles on my right shoulder and down my right arm, and shoulder blade have had this now for two and half weeks , i have found that my finger and thumb do not function very well and my arm feels very heavy I sense that i might have some nerve damage. i have had Aciclovir treatment, but what concerns me is will my hand and arm recover fron this awful virus and possible nerve damage?
Is there a fee for this information?.
I have shingles on my right shoulder and down my right arm, and shoulder blade have had this now for two and half weeks , i have found that my finger and thumb do not function very well and my arm feels very heavy I sense that i might have some nerve damage. i have had Aciclovir treatment, but what concerns me is will my hand and arm recover fron this awful virus and possible nerve damage?
Is there a fee for this information?.
Brief Answer:
Your symptoms will improve slowly over next few weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Shingles is due to the reactivation of varicella zoster virus in the nerve root ganglion. This virus causes inflammation in the nerve leading to pain and rashes.
2. Acyclovir reduces the pain and duration of rashes if treatment is started within 72 hours of first appearance of rashes.
3. After the rashes disappear, a patient might experience symptoms of nerve inflammation like burning pain, heaviness, tingling and numbness and this is called post herpetic neuralgia.
4. Since you recently had shingles therefore your symptoms are due to post herpetic neuralgia. The symptoms might persist for up to few weeks and rarely for months. The duration of symptoms increases in those older than 60 years age.
5. Recovery is complete but might take few weeks to months. There is no permanent injury to the nerves and you will start feeling better with time. If you have any burning pain in the region of the rashes then please take adequate pain relief measures.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Your symptoms will improve slowly over next few weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Shingles is due to the reactivation of varicella zoster virus in the nerve root ganglion. This virus causes inflammation in the nerve leading to pain and rashes.
2. Acyclovir reduces the pain and duration of rashes if treatment is started within 72 hours of first appearance of rashes.
3. After the rashes disappear, a patient might experience symptoms of nerve inflammation like burning pain, heaviness, tingling and numbness and this is called post herpetic neuralgia.
4. Since you recently had shingles therefore your symptoms are due to post herpetic neuralgia. The symptoms might persist for up to few weeks and rarely for months. The duration of symptoms increases in those older than 60 years age.
5. Recovery is complete but might take few weeks to months. There is no permanent injury to the nerves and you will start feeling better with time. If you have any burning pain in the region of the rashes then please take adequate pain relief measures.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
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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