Treatment FAQ

what treatment for shingles

by Kale Hansen Sr. Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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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

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What is the most common treatment for shingles?

Shingles is often treated with an antiviral medicine. These medicines can reduce the severity and duration of your symptoms. Acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir are commonly prescribed. Your doctor will decide whether one of these medicines is right for you.

What 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.

Will shingles go away if left untreated?

Generally, a case of shingles rash resolves within 3 to 4 weeks. It can resolve without treatment, but antiviral treatment can shorten both the duration and severity of the rash.

What is the early treatment for shingles?

Call your doctor as soon as you suspect shingles so you can begin treatment as early as possible. Antiviral drugs such as acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), or famciclovir (Famvir) can make symptoms less severe and shorten the length of the illness if taken early.

Can I put cortisone 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.

Can I spread shingles on myself?

Answer: Shingles cannot spread from one person to another. However, the virus that causes shingles (varicella-zoster virus) can spread from a person with active shingles to someone who is not immune to chickenpox (most people have had a chickenpox infection or vaccinated against chickenpox).

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.

How long do you feel unwell with shingles?

How long does shingles last? Most cases of shingles last three to five weeks. The first sign is often burning or tingling pain; sometimes it includes numbness or itching on one side of the body. Somewhere between one and five days after the tingling or burning feeling on the skin, a red rash will appear.

What are the first signs of having shingles?

SymptomsPain, burning, numbness or tingling.Sensitivity to touch.A red rash that begins a few days after the pain.Fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over.Itching.

What brings on shingles?

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.

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.

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