Hello,
Shingles is an infection of an individual nerve and the skin surface that is supplied by the nerve. It is caused by the varicella-
zoster virus, the same virus that causes
chickenpox. Anyone who has recovered from chickenpox can develop shingles.
Treatment:
There is currently no way to eliminate the
shingles virus from the body. However, there are ways to ease symptoms:
- Keep the rash dry and clean to reduce the risk of infection.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing for comfort.
- Avoid rub-on antibiotic creams or adhesive dressings, as they can slow the healing process.
- If the rash needs to be covered, a non-adherent dressing should be used to prevent aggravating the skin.
- Products such as
Calamine lotion, which are available online, can soothe and relieve the itching.
- Antihistamines can sometimes help prevent itching at night.
- A doctor may prescribe painkilling medication.
In some cases,
antiviral medicine may be prescribed to help stop the virus multiplying, and to reduce severity and duration.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Jagadish Golabavi