Treatment FAQ

what is the best treatment for shingles?

by Lou Upton I Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Medication

10 rows · Naturasil Shingles Rash Treatment Solution; Relief from Redness, Itching, and Scarring

Self-care

Reduce the amount of time that you have a shingles rash Decrease how severe the rash becomes Lower your risk of developing long-lasting nerve pain and other health problems One of three antiviral medications is usually prescribed—acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir. To treat your symptoms, dermatologists typically recommend the following:

Nutrition

Feb 20, 2020 · The antiviral medications used to treat shingles are valacyclovir, famciclovir, and acyclovir. They are all effective at helping shingles rashes crust over and heal, and they help reduce pain as you are healing. In head-to-head studies, a 7-day course of valacyclovir worked faster than a 7-day course of acyclovir at reducing pain.

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What is the most common medication for shingles?

Several antiviral medicines—acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir—are available to treat shingles and shorten the length and severity of the illness. These medicines are most effective if you start taking them as soon as possible after the rash appears.

How long does it take to recover from shingles?

Typically, it takes 3–5 weeks for people to recover and the rash to fully clear. It is more common in older adults and people with weak or suppressed immune systems. While shingles does not have a cure, treatments are available to prevent complications, ease pain, and speed up recovery.Aug 30, 2021

What OTC cream is best for shingles?

The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends using calamine lotion for shingles. Calamine lotion can create a cooling sensation to help with itching from conditions such as chickenpox. In addition, it contains zinc oxide.

What triggers a shingles outbreak?

Causes of shingles Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which is the virus that causes chickenpox. After you have had chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus lies dormant (inactive) inside your body. It can become reactivated at a later stage and cause shingles.Mar 18, 2022

How painful is shingles on a scale of 1 to 10?

“Shingles is extremely painful," Wigand-Bolling said. “On a scale from one to 10, most patients will say the pain ranges from six to 10.” Between 1 and 5 days after the first symptoms occur, a rash will develop in the affected area.Dec 23, 2021

What is the most painful stage of shingles?

Typically, the peak pain of shingles is felt within 4 or 5 days after the first symptoms develop, and it comes along with a blistering rash. As the blisters scab over, the pain usually starts to disappear. In some cases, the pain does not go away. This is known as a condition called postherpetic neuralgia.Aug 23, 2021

Is it OK to use hydrocortisone cream on shingles?

️ Don't apply the cream to broken skin or open wounds, or areas of skin affected by any of the following conditions: Viral skin infections, such as chickenpox, shingles, cold sores or herpes simplex. Bacterial skin infections, such as impetigo. Fungal skin infections, such as thrush, ringworm, athlete's foot.Jul 2, 2019

Can I spread shingles on myself?

Shingles — also known as herpes zoster — is a condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles itself is not contagious. It can't spread from one person to another.

Can I put anti itch cream on shingles?

Applying a medicated anti-itch lotion (two brands: Benadryl, Caladryl) to the blisters might reduce the pain and itching. Placing cool compresses soaked in water mixed with white vinegar on the blisters and sores might also help. If shingles causes severe pain, your doctor might prescribe a stronger pain medicine.Feb 23, 2021

What are the final stages of shingles?

The 4 stages of shingles and how the condition progressesThe stages of shingles are tingling pain, followed by a burning feeling and a red rash, then blistering, and finally the blisters will crust over.You will typically develop a rash about 1-5 days after you feel numbness or tingling pain.More items...•Aug 13, 2020

Can stress bring on shingles?

Since stress affects the immune system, many researchers believe that stress could be a trigger for shingles. Researchers in multiple studies have linked chronic, daily stress, and highly stressful life events as risk factors for shingles.

What is the average age for shingles?

That's why shingles tends to be more common in people older than 50. The risk of shingles continues to increase as people age. Some experts estimate that half the people who live to age 85 will get shingles at some point. Shingles can affect younger people, too, as a result of factors that can affect the immune system.Aug 9, 2013

Diagnosis

Treatment

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Preparing For Your Appointment

Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatment may include medication and vaccination.
Medication

Antivirals: Drugs used to kill a virus or suppress its ability to replicate.

Acyclovir . Valacyclovir . Famciclovir


Anti-inflammatory drugs: Drugs used to manage inflammation due to the infected virus.

Ibuprofen . Diphenhydramine . Capsaicin

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

Following home treatments can help relieve the symptoms, these include:

  • Rest – relax body and mind.
  • Apply cold compress to the rashes to reduce the pain.
  • Apply Calamine lotion on rashes to reduce itching.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Foods rich in gluten like wheat germ, brewer's yeast, eggs, and whole grains.
  • Eat green, orange, and yellow vegetables at every meal.
  • green leafy vegetables are also good sources of calcium and magnesium, which will help heal your nerve endings.

Foods to avoid:

  • Red meat, fried Foods, or chocolate and carbonated beverages (not even fizzy water) or drinks containing caffeine.
  • Stay away from refined sugar products, including cookies, cakes, sweet baked goods, and sodas.

Specialist to consult

Ophthalmologist
Specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eyes.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

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