| Shingles also known as herpes zostrer. Shingles is a | | | | and water. Cool compresses and anti-itching lotions, |
| same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles can | | | | such as calamine lotion, may also provide relief. An |
| cause several problems with the eye and surrounding | | | | aluminum acetate solution (Burow's or Domeboro |
| skin that may have long term effects. Inflammation | | | | solution, available at your pharmacy) can be used to |
| and scarring of the cornea, along with conjunctivitis | | | | help dry up the blisters and oozing. |
| (inflammation of the conjunctiva) and iritis | | | | As soon as you are diagnosed with shingles, your |
| (inflammation of the iris) are typical problems. Shingles | | | | doctor probably will start treatment with antiviral |
| manifests as a vesicular rash, usually in a single | | | | medicines. If you begin medicines within the first 2 |
| dermatome. Development of the rash may be | | | | days of seeing the shingles rash, you have a lower |
| preceded by paresthesias or pain along the involved | | | | chance of having later problems, such as postherpetic |
| dermatome. Ocular involvement and zoster keratitis | | | | neuralgia. Early treatment of shingles is important, |
| may result if reactivation occurs along the ophthalmic | | | | because the problems that can arise can be serious |
| division of the trigeminal nerve. Approximately 95% | | | | and resistant to treatment. For example, 40% to |
| of adults in the United States have antibodies to the | | | | 50% of people with postherpetic neuralgia do not |
| varicella-zoster virus. | | | | respond to treatment. |
| Cover shingles lesions with a clean cloth or | | | | The best treatment for shingles is rapid medical |
| loose-fitting gauze after cleansing. Trim fingernails to | | | | treatment. The sooner a person sees a doctor after |
| reduce the chance of bacterial infection from | | | | the first suspicion of shingles, the better off he or |
| scratching. | | | | she will be. Antiviral drugs are very helpful in reducing |
| Treatment with famciclovir (Famvir) may significantly | | | | the severity and duration of the outbreak, but they |
| reduce pain and hasten recovery from an acute | | | | must be started within 48 hours of the rash |
| attack. Topical creams containing capsaicin may | | | | appearing, ideally in less than 24. Otherwise, they are |
| provide some relief from pain. Cover shingles lesions | | | | of small benefit. However, the person treated in the |
| with a clean cloth or loose-fitting gauze after | | | | first 24 hours after the rash's appearance will usually |
| cleansing. Avoid contact with the skin lesions of | | | | have a much lighter outbreak, with few, if any |
| persons with known herpes zoster infection. Cool | | | | complications, and much less chance of experiencing |
| wet compresses can be used to reduce pain. | | | | PHN. |
| Soothing baths and lotions, such as colloidal oatmeal | | | | The first coat of finish is best applied before shingles |
| bath, starch baths, or lotions and calamine lotion, may | | | | are installed so that the back, butt-end, and face of |
| help to relieve itching and discomfort. | | | | each shingle are thoroughly coated. The finish may be |
| Have the person with shingles see the doctor as | | | | applied by dipping the shingles to at least two-thirds |
| soon as the shingles rash appears. Treatment within 2 | | | | their length, then standing them vertically until the |
| or 3 days of the shingles outbreak may shorten the | | | | finish has dried. An alternative to dipping is to apply |
| duration of postherpetic neuralgia. | | | | the finish by brushing, rolling, or spraying. Dipping is |
| Apply cool compresses over the zoster lesions or | | | | the most effective method and brushing is the next |
| take a cool bath twice a day. Avoid exposure to | | | | best. If a light colored finish has been applied, the |
| warm and hot water because this could lead to | | | | butt-end and edge of the shingle will eventually |
| further itching. | | | | discolor as a result of leaching of water-soluble |
| The affected area should be kept clean. Bathing is | | | | extractives from the wood. |
| permitted, and the area can be cleansed with soap | | | | |