Imagine you are in kindergarten. A chickenpox outbreak occurs at your school and you develop excruciatingly itchy rashes all over your body. After a few days, your rash disappears but the varicella zoster virus (virus that causes the chickenpox) remains dormant in your body. Later in life, the virus reactivates and turns into shingles (a condition characterized by a painful rash occurring in a striped formation on your body). If left untreated, postherpetic neuralgia (a complication of shingles characterized by constant burning, itchiness and numbness at the skin site) results. There are specific steps to prevent postherpetic neuralgia.
Step 1
Go to your family doctor and get vaccinated against chickenpox and shingles. The chickenpox vaccine is recommended for children, teenagers and adults who never had the chickenpox, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you've already had the chickenpox vaccine, get the shingles vaccine. Like the chickenpox vaccine, this vaccine contains a weaker form of the varicella zoster virus and helps prep your body for defense in case the virus is reactivated. You should not get this vaccine if you are immunocompromised, allergic to such vaccine components as gelatin and neomycin or have bone marrow or lymphatic cancer. Talk with your doctor to see whether these vaccines are appropriate for you.
Step 2
Obtain a prescription for an antiviral medication to treat your shingles. When you treat shingles, you prevent the varicella zoster virus from progressing to postherpetic neuralgia. Acyclovir, Famciclovir and Valacyclovir are the three types of antiviral medications available. According to the American Family Physician, these medications are safe. Headaches and nausea are the most common side effects.
Step 3
Take an antidepressant called amitryptyline. According to the American Family Physician, this medication can decrease the risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia in older patients.
Things You'll Need
- Chickenpox vaccine
- Shingles vaccine
- Antiviral medication
- Amitryptyline
