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about shingles image

SHINGLES
Treatment
MANAGEMENT OF A PAINFUL
CONDITION

Shingles, medically known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that can cause a significant impact on one's daily life due to its painful and often debilitating symptoms. This condition arises from the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Individuals who have had chickenpox carry the dormant virus in their nerve tissue, which can reactivate later in life, leading to shingles. The hallmark of this disease is a painful rash that typically appears on one side of the body or face, often accompanied by blisters. These blisters eventually scab over and heal, but the pain associated with shingles can be intense and long-lasting, sometimes persisting even after the rash has cleared, a condition known as postherpetic neuralgia.1

CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL FOR PRECISE DIAGNOSIS AND OPTIMAL MANAGEMENT OF SHINGLES. AVOID SELF-TREATMENT TO ENSURE THE BEST CARE AND OUTCOMES.

HOW IS SHINGLES TREATED?

  • -While there isn't a cure for shingles, there are ways to manage the discomfort and shorten the duration of the infection.

  • -

    Medications can be highly effective in managing shingles pain, but it's important to understand their limitations.1-5

HOW EFFECTIVE ARE THE ANTIVIRALS IN TREATING SHINGLES?

Antiviral medications can help reduce the duration of a herpes zoster (shingles) rash and lessen the pain it causes.
These medications are available in both cream and tablet forms.1

All You Need to Know About Antiviral Treatment:1

  • -Early Treatment is Best: Antivirals are most effective when taken within 72 hours of the rash appearing.

  • -Ongoing Benefits: The benefit of these medications may continue when blisters appear, but they are less likely to be effective once the blisters have crusted over.

  • -Preventing Long-Term Pain: The ability of antiviral medications to prevent long-term pain such as postherpetic neuralgia varies and remains a subject of debate among experts.

HOW CAN PRESCRIBED ANALGESICS HELP IN ALLEVIATING THE DISCOMFORT OF SHINGLES?

  • -

    Pain management options that can be provided by your healthcare provider, e.g. analgesics, which are available in tablets and creams, can offer relief from the pain caused by shingles.2

  • -However, for some patients with Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), stronger analgesics might be necessary, such as anticonvulsants or opioids.

  • -

    Moreover, For some patients with Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), stronger analgesics like anticonvulsants or opioids might be necessary. However, these potent analgesics are associated with notable side effects that could potentially interfere with treatments for other underlying conditions.2

  • -

    Studies show that among elderly above 65 years with PHN, only about 14% find these medications entirely satisfactory.3

MANAGING SHINGLES DISCOMFORT: BEYOND MEDICATION

Alongside medications, several strategies can help manage shingles discomfort:

MAINTAINING SKIN CARE:

  • -

    Keeping the rash clean and dry helps prevent secondary infections. Gently pat
    the area dry after showering or bathing, and avoid scratching the blisters.4

SOOTHING ITCH:

  • -

    Calamine lotion or cool compresses can provide relief from itching.4

about shingles image

Shingles
Prevention
Options

Vaccination is considered as one of the options for preventing Shingles disease.

IF YOU ARE 50 YEARS OR ABOVE, TALK TO YOUR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE DOCTOR ABOUT SHINGLES DISEASE AND HOW YOU CAN BE PROTECTED

Awareness material provided by GlaxoSmithKline
In case of any side effects belongs to medication, please contact the SFDA on

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References

  1. Stankus, S.J., Dlugopolski, M. and Packer, D., 2000. Management of herpes zoster (shingles) and postherpetic neuralgia. American family physician, 61(8), pp.2437-2444.
  2. Wu, C.L. and Raja, S.N., 2008. An update on the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. The journal of pain, 9(1), pp.19-30.
  3. Oster, G., Harding, G., Dukes, E., Edelsberg, J. and Cleary, P.D., 2005. Pain, medication use, and health-related quality of life in older persons with postherpetic neuralgia: results from a population-based survey. The Journal of pain, 6(6), pp.356-363.
  4. Shingles – aftercare - Mount Sinai Health System. Available at: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/selfcare-instructions/shingles-aftercare#:~=Skin%20Care%20and%20Itch%20Relief%20for%20Shingles&text=A%20cool%2C%20wet%20compresses%20on,or%20applied%20to%20the%20skin (Accessed: 16 May 2024).
  5. Meize-Grochowski, R., Shuster, G., Boursaw, B., DuVal, M., Murray-Krezan, C., Schrader, R., Smith, B.W., Herman, C.J. and Prasad, A., 2015. Mindfulness meditation in older adults with postherpetic neuralgia: a randomized controlled pilot study. Geriatric Nursing, 36(2), pp.154-160.
  6. Benefits of vaccination (2024) European Vaccination Information Portal. Available at: https://vaccination-info.europa.eu/en/about-vaccines/benefits-vaccination#:~ =By%20getting%20vaccinated%2C%20people%20are,classmates%20and%20the%20wider%20community(Accessed: 10 June 2024).