SHINGLES:
CAUSES AND TREATMENTS
Causes of Shingles
Signs and Symptoms of Shingles
Shingles Diagnosis
Shingles Treatment
Shingles Complications
Shingles Vaccination
Anyone who has had chicken pox can develop herpes zoster. Also known as shingles or zoster, herpes zoster is caused by the same virus as chicken pox. After the chicken pox clear, the virus remains dormant (inactive) within certain nerve cells of the body. When the virus reactivates, shingles, which can be quite painful, develops.
About 20 percent of people who have had chicken pox will get shingles. Most develop it only once.
Causes of Shingles
It is not clear what reactivates or “awakens” the virus that causes shingles. A temporary weakness in immunity (the body’s ability to fight infection) may cause it to multiply and move along nerve fibers toward the skin. Although children can get shingles, it is more common in people over the age of 50. Illness, trauma, and stress may also trigger this condition.
We do know that people with a weakened immunity are prone to developing shingles. A variety of illnesses and medical treatments can weaken a person’s immunity. These include cancers, AIDS, treatment for cancer such as chemotherapy or radiation, drugs taken to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ, and cortisone when taken for a long time. All can make someone more susceptible to developing shingles.
While much less contagious than chicken pox, the shingles virus can spread to other people by means of direct skin contact if blisters break. Newborns and those with decreased immunity are at the highest risk. If someone contracts the virus, the person develops chicken pox – not shingles. Shingles only occurs after a person develops chicken pox and the virus re-emerges in certain nerve cells.
Signs and Symptoms
Shingles typically causes more pain and less itching than chicken pox. A person may feel burning, itching, tingling, or extreme sensitivity on the skin (usually limited to an area on one side of the body). These symptoms are typically present for one to three days, sometimes more, before a red rash appears in the same area. A shingles rash usually occurs on only one side of the body. A fever or headache also may develop.
The rash soon turns into groups of blisters, which generally last for two to three weeks. At first the blisters are clear, but then they look yellow or bloody before they crust over (scab) and disappear. It is unusual to have pain without blisters, or blisters without pain. The pain is often severe enough for a physician to prescribe painkillers.
While this condition is most common on the trunk and buttocks, it can appear anywhere the nerves have been affected, including the face, arms, or legs. Blisters on the tip of the nose signal possible eye involvement. Great care is needed if the blisters involve the eye because permanent eye damage can result.
Shingles Diagnosis
To diagnose shingles, a dermatologist looks at the appearance of the skin and asks if the patient has experienced pain before the rash developed. To confirm the diagnosis, a dermatologist may scrape skin cells from a blister onto a glass slide for examination under a microscope. Also, the blister fluid containing the virus can be sent to a laboratory for testing.
Shingles Treatment
Shingles usually clears on its own in a few weeks and seldom recurs. While shingles is clearing, pain relievers can help ease the discomfort, and cool compresses may provide soothing relief.
When shingles is diagnosed early (within 72 hours), oral antiviral medication can be prescribed. This medication is often prescribed when the shingles is severe or affects an eye. Patients who have decreased immunity also are routinely prescribed an antiviral medication. In addition to treating the shingles, an antiviral medication can prevent post-herpetic neuralgia (pain, numbness, itching, and tingling that lasts long after the rash clears). The earlier treatment is started, the better.
To reduce swelling and pain, a corticosteroid also may be prescribed with the antiviral medication. A corticosteroid also can help alleviate inflammation when a severe infection develops, such as in an eye. Nerve blocks can help control pain.
If a patient develops post-herpetic neuralgia, it may be treated with pain relievers. Oral medications, antidepressants, antiseizure and antineuralgia medicines also may be of some benefit. Patients with shingles rarely require hospitalization.
Complications
The most common complication of shingles is post-herpetic neuralgia. The pain, numbness, itching, and tingling can last for months or even years. It is more common in older people.
A bacterial infection can develop in the blisters, which can delay healing. Persistent pain and redness warn of an infection. If either occur, return to your Water’s Edge Dermatology practitioner. Antibiotic treatment may be needed. An infection involving shingles lesions can lead to scarring if not appropriately treated in a timely manner.
Shingles in the eye that is not promptly treated can lead to complications such as glaucoma, scarring, and blindness.
Shingles Vaccination
SHINGRIX is an FDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster) in adults 50 years and older. In one study, this immunization decreased the incidence of shingles by more than 50%. SHINGRIX is the first shingles vaccine approved by the FDA in more than 10 years and is the only shingles vaccine proven to be up to 90% effective in clinical trials.
Another vaccine has been approved to prevent chicken pox. Typically given to children, the vaccine also may be given to some adults who have not had chicken pox.
