Shingles is very painful, isn't it? Let's talk about it in detail!

Shingles is a viral infection that causes painful blisters on the skin and can sometimes damage the nerves. Some people also call it Herpes Zoster. Do you remember getting chickenpox as a child? The same virus that causes chickenpox, the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), is responsible for shingles. Isn't it amazing? Let's see how it works.

How does shingles develop? Why does this virus resurface?

Simply put, you can only get shingles if you have had chickenpox before. After chickenpox, the virus, called the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), doesn't completely disappear from your body. It lies dormant, meaning it doesn't do anything, in our nerve cells. It's like sleeping. But sometimes, after years, this dormant virus suddenly wakes up, meaning it becomes active again . It becomes active and travels along the nerves, causing this painful condition called shingles. Doctors can't say exactly why this virus suddenly becomes active again. But most of the time, this happens because our immune system gradually weakens as we age . The immune system is like the soldiers in our body that protect us from diseases. So when this system weakens, the hidden virus gets a chance to raise its head again.

What are the symptoms of shingles? How do you recognize it?

The main and most common symptom of shingles is the appearance of painful, sometimes water-filled blisters . These blisters usually appear on one side of the body, such as the waist, face, neck, chest, stomach, or back. They appear in a continuous pattern, like a belt. However, they can occasionally appear on other parts of the body.

Other symptoms that come with the plague, even before it comes

Several other symptoms may appear before or along with these rashes. They include:

• Nerve pain that feels sharp, burning, or stabbing. This is the biggest problem for many people.
• Itching or tingling sensation in the area.
• Skin redness or discoloration.
• Fever.
• Feeling cold (chills).
• Headache .
• A general feeling of malaise, a feeling of lifelessness.
• An upset stomach, that is, a feeling of nausea, like your stomach is turning over.

Think about it, sometimes these symptoms like nerve pain and skin discoloration can start weeks before the blisters appear. Other symptoms can sometimes appear a few days before the blisters appear. The blisters will ooze, which means they will blister , within three to four days.After about ten days, these blisters dry up and turn into scabs . It may take several weeks for these scabs to completely fall off.

Does everyone get hurt?

Although shingles usually brings to mind blisters, very rarely, some people can develop shingles without blisters . Therefore, if you have other symptoms of shingles, even if you don't have blisters, be sure to see a doctor.

Is shingles contagious?

This is a question that many people ask. You can't get shingles from someone else who has shingles. That means, if you have shingles, you can't get shingles from someone else. However, if you have shingles, someone who hasn't had chickenpox can get chickenpox if they come into direct contact with the fluid from your blisters or if they breathe in the tiny droplets from those blisters. Get it? Not shingles, but chickenpox. Because they're both caused by the same virus. So, it's very important to stay away from people who haven't had chickenpox while you have shingles, especially until the blisters have dried up and crusted over, like young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

Who is at higher risk of developing shingles?

Although anyone who has had chickenpox before can develop shingles, some people are at higher risk. These include:

• People with weakened immune systems : For example, people with cancer, people infected with HIV , or people taking immunosuppressive medications .
• People over 50 years of age: This risk is higher because immunity naturally decreases with age.

Some doctors believe that stress can also cause shingles , but it's hard to prove it. However, since our immune system is weakened when we're under a lot of stress, it's possible that it may have an indirect effect.

What are the possible complications of shingles? Are these dangerous?

Although shingles often resolves without serious complications, sometimes problems can occur.

The most common and distressing complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia . This is nerve pain that persists even after the rash has healed. This pain can last for months, even years, and for some people, it can be unbearable.

Other complications may include:

• Bacterial infection of the skin (if the skin is scratched).
• If shingles occurs around the eyes,Severe conditions such as loss of vision due to eye infections.
• Facial paralysis, a special name for it, is Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
• Hearing loss, tinnitus, and other ear problems.
• Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain.
• Vertigo is dizziness.
• Pneumonia.

Although very rare, shingles can even cause death, so it's not something to take lightly.

How do doctors diagnose shingles?

A doctor will usually diagnose shingles by asking about your symptoms and looking at the rash. Especially if the rash is located along a nerve, or a specific area of ​​skin called a dermatome, and is on one side of the body, rather than across the midline , it is more likely to be shingles. Sometimes, if your doctor wants, they can take a small sample of the rash and send it to a lab to confirm the diagnosis.

What are the treatments for shingles?

There is no cure for shingles yet. However, there are treatments that can help control symptoms, speed recovery, and reduce the risk of complications. Your doctor may recommend the following:

• Antivirals: These are the mainstay of treatment. Examples include acyclovir (brand name Zovirax®), famciclovir (brand name Famvir®), and valacyclovir (brand name Valtrex®). It is important to start these medications as soon as possible, within 3 days of the onset of the rash. This can help reduce pain, speed healing, and reduce the risk of complications such as post-herpetic neuralgia.
• Painkillers: Over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol (in the US, acetaminophen - e.g. Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (e.g. Motrin®, Advil®) can be used. Sometimes stronger painkillers may be prescribed.
• Corticosteroids: If shingles has affected the eyes or other parts of the face, these may be given to reduce swelling. However, these are not given to everyone.

In addition, the doctor advises keeping the area clean, applying something like calamine lotion to reduce itching, and wiping it with a cloth soaked in cold water.

When should I see a doctor?

If you think you have symptoms of shingles, see a doctor as soon as possible . As mentioned earlier, you have a lot of benefits from starting those antiviral medications early.

When should I go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?

If you experience symptoms of some serious complications, you should go to the emergency room immediately. These symptoms include:

• A very severe headache.
• Vision changes, eye pain, inability to look at light.
• Stiff neck.
• Confusion, altered consciousness.
• Muscle weakness or paralysis.

If you see something like this, don't be late.

Can shingles be prevented?

Yes, to some extent. If you have had chickenpox before, the best way to reduce your risk of getting shingles is to get the shingles vaccine . The current vaccine, Shingrix®, is very effective. Even if you have had shingles before or have had the previous vaccine, Zostavax®, you are still recommended to get this new vaccine. If you are over 50, talk to your doctor about getting the vaccine. Also, keep your shingles blisters closed until they are completely dry and limit your contact with other people. This will help prevent you from spreading the chickenpox virus to others, especially young children.

What can you expect when you get shingles? How long will it last?

It usually takes three to five weeks from the time the first symptoms appear to completely clear up the blisters. Other symptoms, such as pain, usually start to subside within seven to ten days. Most people recover from shingles without any long-term complications. Taking antiviral medication within three days of the onset of symptoms can help you get better quickly. However, some people have severe symptoms and may need to be hospitalized. About one in five people who get shingles will develop postherpetic neuralgia, a condition that can last for a long time .

Can shingles recur?

Yes, you can get shingles more than once. But it's not that common, especially if your immune system isn't weakened. If you get shingles again, it usually doesn't come back in the same place where you first got it.

Can someone who hasn't had chickenpox get shingles?

No, you won't get shingles if you haven't had chickenpox before. Shingles is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus. Rarely, people who have been vaccinated against chickenpox can get shingles years later, because the vaccine contains a weakened live virus.

Remember the most important thing (Take-Home Message)

We thought that chickenpox from childhood was something we had forgotten, but sometimes it can come back in such a painful way, right? Shingles is a condition that can spread to not only you, but also to others, such as young children, who have not been exposed to the virus.

Although most people recover from shingles without long-term problems, it's important to be aware of the symptoms and know when to seek emergency medical attention. You should be especially careful if you have a weakened immune system.

See a doctor as soon as you start having shingles symptoms. Then you can get help to manage your symptoms until you get better. Don't panic, but don't delay! Shingles, Herpes Zoster, Varicella-zoster virus, Nerve pain, Skin rash, Shingles treatment, Shingles vaccine