Shingles (Herpes
zoster)
What is shingles?
Shingles
is a painful rash caused by the Varicella zostervirus (Herpes varicellae),
which is the virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles occurs in people who
have had chickenpox and is a reactivation of the dormant virus. Shingles
often occurs long after the initial chickenpox infection maybe years.
Shingles is contagious and may itself cause chickenpox. However, contact
with a person with shingles or chickenpox cannot cause shingles.
The causes shingles
After
the chickenpox virus has been contracted, it travels from the skin along
the nerve paths to the roots of the nerves where it becomes inactive. The
chickenpox virus then 'hibernates'. When the virus is reactivated, it
travels via the nerve paths to the skin. It is not known what factors
trigger a reactivation of the virus. Shingles generally affects the
elderly, but occasionally occurs in children who have had chickenpox
within the first year of their lives and in people with an immune
deficiency. Shingles can be a sign of immunodeficiency, caused by HIV or chemotherapy,
stress, long time after sickness for example, but most people who get
shingles have a normal immune system.
What are the symptoms?
The
first sign that a reactivation of the chickenpox virus is taking place is
a burning sensation on the nerve paths along which the virus is traveling.
Nerve paths typically form half-circles around the body. The pain and
subsequent rash correspond to the position of the nerve paths and are
almost always on one side of the body or face or limbs only, but more
common in the trunk body .The rash is typically accompanied by a fever and
enlarged lymph nodes.
Two
to three days after the pain has begun, a typical rash appears: small
blisters on red, swollen skin. It resembles the type that is seen during
an attack of chickenpox but covers a smaller area.
The
rash usually reaches its peak after three to five days. Then, the blisters
burst and turn into sores, which gradually scab over. The scabs fall off
after two to three weeks.
Sometimes
the area where the rash was located becomes extremely painful after the
scabs have gone and can last from a few weeks to several months. This
highly unpleasant after-effect of shingles is called postherpetic
neuralgia.
The prevention.
People
who have never had chickenpox can reduce the risk of getting the virus by
avoiding contact with people with chickenpox and shingles. Shingles itself
is not preventable.
Diagnosis
The
patient's medical history in combination with the appearance of the rash
will usually be sufficient for making a diagnosis. If necessary, a scrape
from the blisters can help identify the virus. A blood sample can also be
used to confirm the initial diagnosis.
What happens if it gets worse?
The rash can become infected by
bacteria. An attack of shingles near the eyes, or at the top of the nose
can be associated with scarring on the cornea, affecting vision. Shingles
on the face can, in rare cases, lead to a temporary hearing loss, facial
paralysis and a reduced sense of taste.
Future prospects
Shingles
is rarely serious. In about 90 per cent of patients, the attack normally
subsides within a week after the appearance of the first symptoms if it
gets treated immediately. Otherwise they may suffer for months. Most
people only have one or two attacks. Elderly people in particular may
continue to feel intense pain, even after the attack seems to have
subsided. These could goes on for months of pain and may cause depression.
What can be done at home?
Keep the rash uncovered.
Try not to scratch. Use calamine lotion to ease
the irritation.
When should a doctor be consulted for more help?
If the pain is getting worst and immobility.
If the rash involves the eyes or the top of the
nose.
The sores have not healed after 10 days.
The patient has a high temperature.
The patient has another serious illness at the
same time.
We have the special ancient herbs for this pain
and shingers.
You could come and visit our medical for
the treatment.
What is the treatment?
Although antiviral medicines can be
used, they must be started as soon as possible when the burning sensation
begins. Once the rash has been present for more than 48 hours, treatment
will be of reduced value usually not much relief. The medicine can reduce
the duration of the attack and prevent it spreading. The best still is to
send for our special ancient herbal medicine.
If simple analgesics have not been effective, you
have to take some our ancient prescription, we can send to your home by
international delivery.
Postherpetic neuralgia
Modern medicine usually does not
work in these serious conditions. This condition can usually be treated by
1 week if started with our herbs immediately, otherwise it may drack for a
few weeks. But not to worry it can be cure in no time!
SHINGLES ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
Shingles — also known as herpes zoster — is a viral infection that causes a painful rash.
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you've had chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in your nerves. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles.
CANCER HERBAL TREATMENT FOR SHINGLES
The shingles vaccine is given as a single injection, preferably in the upper arm. The most common side effects are redness, pain and swelling at the injection site, itching and headache.
HERBAL CURE SHINGLES TREATMENT
Early treatment can help shorten a shingles infection and reduce the risk of complications..
SHINGLES ACUPUNCTURE HERBAL TREATMENT
Although painful, typically shingles isn't a serious condition. Sometimes, however, the rash can lead to a debilitating complication called postherpetic neuralgia.