We provide detailed resources like photos, articles, videos and links that may be of good use for those who want to make a more detailed study about it.
Shingles is a commonly heard of disease, but not necessarily one that?s commonly understood. Essentially, it involves a painful, blistering rash that occurs on one side of the body and can also affect the eye area. Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which also causes chicken pox, and can affect anyone who has previously had chicken pox.
So how do you know if you have shingles? There are a range of symptoms to watch out for. 2 to 3 days before you develop a shingles rash, you may experience a fever and feel generally unwell. Subsequently, you will feel a burning or tingling sensation along the affected area, which is usually a band along the side of the body. The subsequent rash that develops will consist of painful red spots, which eventually turn into fluid-filled blisters. In 7 to 10 days, these will dry up and form scabs, which will eventually heal and drop off within 2 to 4 weeks.
However, shingles can be more complicated than the above process suggests. Some shingles sufferers may contract post-herpetic neuralgia, whereby the pain caused by shingles lingers after the rash has gone. This is particularly common in older people, and up to half of people aged over 50 are said to get post-herpetic neuralgia. Some people also develop shingles near their eye; this is known as ophthalmic zoster. In these cases, your GP may recommend you to a specialist eye doctor, since your eye can be damaged by shingles if you do not receive the correct treatment soon.
No one really knows what causes shingles, but you?re more likely to get it if you?re over 60 years old, receiving chemotherapy or radiation, under stress, suffer from an immune system-weakening illness, or if you are taking medicine that supresses your immune system. While you can?t catch shingles from a shingles sufferer or catch shingles from someone with chicken pox, you can catch chicken pox from someone with shingles if you have not had it before. Usually, people with shingles are asked to stay away from pregnant women, especially if they have never had or don?t remember having chicken pox. However, unlike chicken pox, shingles can only be contracted by direct contact with the affected area, so make sure this part of your body remains covered while you?re infectious (until your rash has dried and blistered over).
Treatment for shingles can vary, from self-help techniques like keeping your rash clean and dry to antiviral medicines and injections containing anaesthetic and corticosteroids to reduce intense pain. In the USA, a shingles vaccine is recommended for people aged over 60 but this has not yet been approved for use in the UK. However, there is a vaccine that helps prevent chicken pox, which will protect you from contracting the varicella zoster virus.
The author of this article about shingles is a part of a digital marketing agency that works with brands like Bupa. The views and opinions expressed within this article belong to the writer and any reference or summary of Bupa Health Information Factsheets is that of the writers and does not represent Bupa or the information contained within the Bupa website. The contents of this article are of a general nature only and do not constitute specific advice. This article does not take into account your circumstances or needs and must not be relied upon in place of appropriate professional advice.
Why not sign up for our email notifications so that you can be informed immediately we post the latest information? Please share your feedback and add to the growing debate on shingles vaccine: there are thousands of readers waiting to read your thoughts.
