Shingles is a medical condition that causes a painful rash that typically appears in a band around the middle of the back to the breastbone. Mayo Clinic doctors report that shingles is the result of a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chicken pox. Shingles is not life threatening, but can be very painful.
Symptoms
Pain typically is one of the first signs of shingles, report doctors at the Mayo clinic. A red rash usually appears on one side of the body within a couple days of the initial discomfort. There may be burning, tingling or numbness around the area. The rash is usually very itchy. Some people only experience pain without the accompanying rash, which makes the medical condition more difficult to diagnose. More severe symptoms include headache, fatigue, fever and chills.
Complications
Shingles sometimes appear near the eye. Shingles close to the eyes, also called ophthalmic shingles, should be treated by a physician because it can cause permanent vision loss or eye damage. Postherpetic neuralgia is a condition that affects some people that have shingles with continued pain long after the rash disappears. The nerve fibers can become damaged and send painful signals to the brain after the condition has already healed. Neurological complications from shingles can include hearing loss, encephalitis and facial paralysis. Bacterial infections can occur on the skin of the blisters are broken and become infected.
Cause
After a person experiences chicken pox, the virus remains dormant in the body and can reappear later in life in the form of shingles. Mayo Clinic doctors report that though the reasons are not completely clear, they suspect lowered immune systems, particularly in older adults, can reactivate the virus and cause shingles. The virus, which is a member of the herpes virus family, can be contagious to anyone who has not had chicken pox.
Treatment
Doctors at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases report that there is no cure for shingles. The duration and severity of the disease can be reduced by immediate treatment with antiviral medications, such as acyclovir, famcyclovir and valacyclovir prescribed by a physician. Doctors at the American Academy of Family Physicians report that steroids can help to reduce swelling and pain. Medicated lotions such as Benadryl and Caladryl can help to relieve the itching and cold compresses also can help ease the discomfort.
