Treatment FAQ

what is the latest treatment for shingles

by Lavina Jacobi Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

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.

Medication

Self-care

Nutrition

image

Are there any new treatments for shingles?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the approval of Qutenza (capsaicin) 8% patch, a medicated skin patch that relieves the pain of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a serious complication that can occur after a bout with shingles.

Which antiviral drug is best for shingles?

Zovirax (acyclovir) This antiviral medication reduces the severity and duration of shingles episodes. It helps blisters heal faster while preventing new blisters from developing. It also relieves symptoms like burning and itching.

How do you treat chronic shingles?

Recurrent shingles treatment Doctors treat shingles with antiviral medications, such as: acyclovir (Zovirax) valacyclovir (Valtrex) famciclovir (Famvir)

What is the average recovery time for shingles?

In many cases, shingles gets better within around two to four weeks. However, it's still important to see your GP or pharmacist as soon as possible if you recognise the symptoms of shingles, as early treatment may help reduce the severity of the condition and the risk of potential complications.

When is it too late to take antivirals for shingles?

Valacyclovir works best if it is used within 48 hours after the first symptoms of shingles or genital herpes (e.g., pain, burning, or blisters) begin to appear. For recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes, valacyclovir works best if it is used within 24 hours after the symptoms begin to appear.

What should I avoid while taking valacyclovir?

What drugs and food should I avoid while taking Valtrex (Valacyclovir)? Avoid sexual intercourse or use a latex condom to help keep you from spreading the herpes virus to others. Avoid letting infected areas come into contact with other people. Avoid touching an infected area and then touching your eyes.

Why won't my shingles go away?

The virus can remain dormant in the body's nerve cells after childhood and reactivate decades later. When the pain caused by shingles doesn't go away after the rash and blisters clear up, the condition is called postherpetic neuralgia. Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common shingles complication.

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.

What triggers shingles outbreak?

What causes shingles? Shingles is caused when the chickenpox virus is reactivated. After a person has had chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in certain nerves for many years. Shingles is more common in people with weakened immune systems, and in people over the age of 50.

Is it normal to be extremely tired with shingles?

You may experience fatigue while you have shingles. However, it's also possible to feel fatigued even after the shingles rash has disappeared. Fatigue may happen indirectly due to PHN, a complication of shingles that involves lingering pain. Many people with PHN experience insomnia.

What are the three stages of shingles?

Shingles' clinical manifestations are divided into 3 distinct phases: preeruptive, acute eruptive, and chronic. The preeruptive phase (or preherpetic neuralgia stage) usually lasts about 48 hours but can stretch to 10 days in some cases.

What does valacyclovir do for shingles?

Although valacyclovir will not cure shingles or genital herpes, it does help relieve the pain and discomfort and helps the sores heal faster. Valacyclovir is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Preparing For Your Appointment

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rakshith Bharadwaj
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.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9