How does shingles rash manifest. What are the early warning signs of shingles. Who is at risk for developing shingles. Can shingles be contagious. What complications can arise from shingles. How is shingles treated.

Understanding Shingles: The Reawakening of the Varicella Zoster Virus

Shingles, a distinctive and painful rash, is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. This condition, also known as herpes zoster, affects millions of adults worldwide, particularly those who have had chickenpox earlier in life.

The virus can remain dormant in the body for decades before becoming active again. When it does, it travels along nerve fibers to the skin, resulting in the characteristic shingles rash. This rash often appears as a band around one side of the waist, explaining the origin of the term “shingles” from the Latin word for belt.

The Prevalence of Shingles

Approximately one in four adults will develop shingles at some point in their lives. While it can affect anyone who has had chickenpox, the risk increases significantly with age. Adults over 60 are up to ten times more likely to develop shingles compared to younger individuals.

Identifying the Shingles Rash: Key Characteristics and Locations

The shingles rash is typically characterized by a cluster of fluid-filled blisters. While it commonly appears around the waist, it can occur anywhere on the body. The second most frequent location is on one side of the forehead or around one eye.

Is the shingles rash always painful? In most cases, yes. The rash is often accompanied by localized pain, which is one of the telltale signs of shingles. However, the pain can sometimes precede the appearance of the rash by several days.

Distinguishing Shingles from Other Skin Conditions

It’s important to differentiate shingles from other similar-looking skin conditions:

• Cold sores: Small blisters appearing only on the lips or around the mouth are typically cold sores, caused by the herpes simplex virus.
• Poison ivy/oak/sumac reaction: Itchy blisters that appear after outdoor activities could be a reaction to these plants.

If you’re unsure about the cause of your rash, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.

Early Warning Signs: Recognizing Shingles Before the Rash Appears

The first symptoms of shingles often manifest one to five days before the rash becomes visible. These early warning signs are usually localized to the area where the rash will develop:

• Itching
• Tingling
• Burning sensation
• Pain

Are there any systemic symptoms associated with shingles? Yes, some individuals may experience additional symptoms such as:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Upset stomach

The Shingles Timeline: From Onset to Resolution

Understanding the typical progression of shingles can help manage expectations and guide treatment decisions:

1. Early symptoms (1-5 days before rash appearance)
2. Rash emergence
3. Blister formation
4. Scabbing over (usually within 7-10 days)
5. Complete disappearance (2-4 weeks)

In most healthy individuals, the blisters heal without scarring, and the pain and itching subside within a few weeks to months. However, people with weakened immune systems may experience prolonged healing times.

Risk Factors: Who is Most Susceptible to Shingles?

While anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles, certain factors increase the risk:

• Age: The risk increases dramatically after 60
• Weakened immune system: Due to illnesses like cancer or HIV
• Certain medications: Some cancer treatments and steroid medications
• Chronic stress or trauma

Can you get shingles if you’ve never had chickenpox? It’s unlikely but possible. Some individuals may have had a mild, unnoticed case of chickenpox in childhood, leaving them susceptible to shingles later in life.

The Contagion Question: Can Shingles Spread to Others?

Shingles itself is not directly contagious. However, the virus that causes shingles can be transmitted, potentially causing chickenpox in individuals who have never had it or haven’t been vaccinated.

How can the virus be transmitted? Direct contact with the open sores of a shingles rash can spread the virus. It’s crucial to keep the rash covered and avoid contact with high-risk individuals, including:

• Infants
• Pregnant women who have never had chickenpox or the varicella vaccine
• People with weakened immune systems, such as chemotherapy patients

Potential Complications: When Shingles Leads to Lasting Effects

While many cases of shingles resolve without long-term issues, some individuals may experience complications:

Postherpetic Neuralgia

This condition involves persistent pain in the area where the shingles rash occurred, even after the rash has healed. It’s caused by nerve damage and can last for months or even years.

Chronic Itching

Some people may experience ongoing itching in the affected area long after the rash has disappeared.

Vision and Hearing Problems

If shingles affects the eye or ear area, it can lead to:

• Eye infections
• Temporary or permanent vision loss
• Hearing impairment
• Balance issues

Neurological Complications

In rare cases, the shingles virus may attack the brain or spinal cord, leading to more severe neurological issues.

Can these complications be prevented? Many of these complications can be minimized or prevented by starting treatment as soon as possible after the first signs of shingles appear.

Treatment Options: Managing Shingles and Its Symptoms

While there’s no cure for shingles, several treatment options can help manage symptoms and shorten the duration of the outbreak:

Antiviral Medications

Prescription antiviral drugs are the primary treatment for shingles. They work by slowing the replication of the virus, thereby reducing the severity and duration of the outbreak. Common options include:

• Acyclovir (Zovirax)
• Famciclovir (Famvir)
• Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

When should antiviral treatment begin? For maximum effectiveness, antiviral medications should be started at the first sign of the shingles rash.

Pain Management

Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage the discomfort associated with shingles. Options include:

• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen

In cases of severe pain, doctors may prescribe stronger pain medications or nerve blocks.

Topical Treatments

To alleviate itching and soothe the skin, several topical treatments can be beneficial:

• Calamine lotion
• Colloidal oatmeal baths
• Cool compresses

Lifestyle Modifications

Certain lifestyle changes can support healing and comfort during a shingles outbreak:

• Wearing loose-fitting, natural fiber clothing
• Maintaining good hygiene to prevent bacterial infections
• Getting adequate rest to support the immune system

How long does it typically take for shingles to heal with treatment? With prompt antiviral treatment, most cases of shingles clear up within 3-5 weeks. However, some individuals may experience lingering pain or itching for a longer period.

Prevention Strategies: Reducing the Risk of Shingles

While it’s not always possible to prevent shingles, certain strategies can reduce the risk or severity of an outbreak:

Vaccination

The shingles vaccine is the most effective way to reduce the risk of developing shingles or experiencing severe complications. Two vaccines are currently available:

• Shingrix: Recommended for adults 50 and older, this vaccine is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles.
• Zostavax: While no longer available for use in the United States as of November 18, 2020, this vaccine may still be used in other countries.

Who should get the shingles vaccine? The CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of Shingrix, separated by 2 to 6 months.

Stress Management

Since stress can weaken the immune system and potentially trigger a shingles outbreak, implementing stress-reduction techniques can be beneficial:

• Regular exercise
• Meditation or mindfulness practices
• Adequate sleep
• Balanced diet

Immune System Support

Maintaining a strong immune system can help prevent the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus. This includes:

• Eating a nutritious diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Getting regular exercise
• Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
• Managing chronic health conditions effectively

Can lifestyle changes completely prevent shingles? While these strategies can reduce the risk, they cannot guarantee prevention. The shingles vaccine remains the most effective preventive measure.

Living with Shingles: Coping Strategies and Support

Dealing with a shingles outbreak can be challenging, both physically and emotionally. Here are some strategies to help cope with the condition:

Pain Management Techniques

Beyond medication, several non-pharmaceutical approaches can help manage shingles pain:

• Gentle stretching exercises
• Relaxation techniques like deep breathing or guided imagery
• Distraction methods such as listening to music or engaging in a hobby

Emotional Support

The pain and discomfort of shingles can take an emotional toll. Consider:

• Joining a support group for individuals with shingles or chronic pain
• Seeking counseling if the condition is causing significant distress
• Communicating openly with friends and family about your experience

Adapting Daily Activities

During a shingles outbreak, you may need to modify your routine:

• Take breaks and rest when needed
• Use assistive devices if the rash affects mobility
• Adjust work schedules or responsibilities if possible

How can caregivers best support someone with shingles? Caregivers can help by assisting with daily tasks, ensuring medication compliance, and providing emotional support. They should also take precautions to avoid contracting the virus if they’ve never had chickenpox or the vaccine.

Ongoing Research: The Future of Shingles Treatment and Prevention

The field of shingles research is active, with scientists exploring new avenues for treatment and prevention:

Novel Antiviral Therapies

Researchers are investigating new antiviral medications that may be more effective or have fewer side effects than current options.

Improved Vaccines

Work is ongoing to develop even more effective vaccines, potentially with longer-lasting protection or suitable for immunocompromised individuals.

Nerve Pain Management

Studies are exploring innovative approaches to managing postherpetic neuralgia, including new medications and non-invasive therapies.

Genetic Factors

Scientists are investigating genetic markers that may indicate an increased risk of shingles, potentially leading to more targeted prevention strategies.

What promising developments are on the horizon for shingles treatment? While specific breakthroughs are difficult to predict, the ongoing research suggests that more effective treatments and prevention methods may become available in the coming years.

Understanding shingles, from its causes and symptoms to treatment options and prevention strategies, is crucial for managing this common but often misunderstood condition. By recognizing the early signs, seeking prompt treatment, and taking preventive measures, individuals can minimize the impact of shingles on their lives. As research continues to advance our understanding of this viral infection, we can look forward to improved methods for managing and preventing shingles in the future.

What the Shingles Rash Looks Like

Medically Reviewed by Carol DerSarkissian, MD on September 05, 2021

If you’ve ever had the chickenpox — and almost all adults have or have at least been exposed to it– there’s a good chance the virus is still at large in your body. The varicella zoster virus can lie dormant for decades without causing any symptoms. In some people, the virus wakes up and travels along nerve fibers to the skin. The result is a distinctive, painful rash called shingles.

The shingles rash can be a distinctive cluster of fluid-filled blisters — often in a band around one side of the waist. This explains the term “shingles,” which comes from the Latin word for belt. The next most common location is on one side of the forehead or around one eye. But shingles blisters can occur anywhere on the body.

The first symptoms of shingles appear one to five days before the rash. These early warning signs are usually felt in the location where the rash will develop:

• Itching
• Tingling
• Burning
• Pain

While the localized pain and rash are the tell-tale signs of shingles, other symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Upset stomach

Small blisters that appear only on the lips or around the mouth may be cold sores, sometimes called fever blisters. They’re not shingles, but are instead caused by the herpes simplex virus. Itchy blisters that appear after hiking, gardening, or spending time outdoors could be a reaction to poison ivy, oak, or sumac. If you aren’t sure what’s causing your rash, see your healthcare provider.

The varicella zoster virus is the culprit behind both chickenpox and shingles. The first time someone is exposed to the virus, it causes the widespread, itchy sores known as chickenpox. The virus never goes away. Instead, it settles in nerve cells and may reactivate years later, causing shingles. It’s also called herpes zoster, but it’s not related to the virus that causes genital herpes.

A doctor can usually diagnose shingles just by looking at the rash. If you have shingles symptoms, see your healthcare provider even if you think you’ve never had chickenpox. Many childhood cases of chickenpox are mild enough to go unnoticed, but the virus can still linger and reactivate. To help prevent complications, it’s important to start treatment as soon as possible after the shingles rash appears.   

Shingles blisters usually scab over in 7-10 days and disappear completely in two to four  weeks. In most healthy people, the blisters leave no scars, and the pain and itching go away after a few weeks or months. But people with weakened immune systems may develop shingles blisters that do not heal in a timely manner.

Anyone who has ever had chickenpox can get shingles, but the risk increases with age. People older than age 60 are up to 10 times more likely to get shingles than younger people. Other factors that increase your risk include:

• Some cancer medicines
• Steroid medicines
• Long-term stress or trauma
• A weak immune system from illnesses such as cancer or HIV

A quarter of adults will develop shingles at some point, and most are otherwise healthy.

Yes, but not in the way you may think.  Your shingles rash will not trigger an outbreak of shingles in another person, but it can sometimes cause chickenpox in a child.   People who’ve never had chickenpox, or the vaccine to prevent it, can pick up the virus by direct contact with the open sores of shingles. So keep a shingles rash covered and avoid contact with infants, as well as pregnant women who have never had chickenpox or the varicella vaccine and people who may have weak immune systems such as chemotherapy patients.

In some people, the pain of shingles may linger for months or even years after the rash has healed. This pain, due to damaged nerves in and beneath the skin, is known as postherpetic neuralgia. Others feel a chronic itch in the area where the rash once was. In severe cases, the pain or itching may be bad enough to cause insomnia, weight loss, or depression.

If the shingles rash appears around the eye or forehead, it can cause eye infections and temporary or permanent loss of vision. If the shingles virus attacks the ear, people may develop hearing or balance problems. In rare cases, the shingles virus may attack the brain or spinal cord. These complications can often be prevented by beginning treatment for shingles as soon as possible.

While there is no cure for shingles, antiviral medications can put the brakes on an attack. Prompt treatment can make a case of shingles shorter and milder.  Doctors recommend starting prescription antiviral drugs at the first sign of a shingles rash. Options include acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), or valacyclovir (Valtrex).

Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-itch lotions, such as calamine, can help relieve the pain and itching of the shingles rash. If the pain is severe or the rash is concentrated near an eye or ear, consult your doctor right away. Additional medications, such as corticosteroids, may be prescribed to reduce inflammation.

Colloidal oatmeal baths are an old standby for relieving the itch of chickenpox and can help with shingles, as well. To speed up the drying out of the blisters, try placing a cool, damp washcloth on the rash (but not when wearing calamine lotion or other creams. ) If your doctor gives you the green light, stay active while recovering from shingles. Gentle exercise or a favorite activity may help keep your mind off the discomfort.

The CDC recommends that healthy adults ages 50 and older get the shingles vaccine, Shingrix, which provides greater protection than Zostavax. The vaccine is given in two doses, 2 to 6 months apart. Zostavax is still in use for some people ages 60 and older.

Do not get the shingles vaccine if:

Since the late 1990s, most children in the U.S. have received the varicella vaccine to protect against chickenpox. This vaccine uses a weakened strain of the varicella zoster virus that is less likely to settle into the body for the long haul. 

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

(1) CNRI / Photo Researchers, Inc.
(2) Bart’s Medical Library / Phototake
(3) Steve Pomberg / WebMD
(4) Thinkstock
(5) Interactive Medical Media, LLC; Scott Camazine / Phototake; John Kaprielian / Photo Researchers
(6) Peggy Firth and Susan Gilbert for WebMD
(7) N. M. Hauprich / Photo Researchers, Inc
(8) N. M. Hauprich / Photo Researchers, Inc
(9) Hans Neleman / Stone
(10) Dr. P. Marazzi / Photo Researchers
(11) David Mack / Photo Researchers
(12) SPL / Photo Researchers, Inc.
(13) Steve Pomberg / WebMD
(14) Denis Felix / Stone
(15) Steve Pomberg / WebMD
(16) Getty Images
(17) Thinkstock
(18) Thinkstock
 

REFERENCES:

American Academy of Dermatology: “Lip and Mouth Care” and “Poison Ivy: Signs and Symptoms.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Shingles: Signs & Symptoms;” “Shingles: Transmission;” “Shingles (Herpes Zoster): Prevention and Treatment;” “Shingles Vaccination: What You Need to Know;” “Shingrix Recommendations;” and “What Everybody Should Know about Zostavax.”
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: “”Shingles Symptoms,” “Shingles Diagnosis,” “Shingles Treatment.”
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: “Shingles: Hope Through Research. “
 

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Is it shingles? Symptoms vs. other conditions and causes

Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is an infection that causes a painful, blistering rash, often on one side of the body or face. There may also be ongoing neurologic pain.

Shingles happens when the chickenpox virus reactivates, often many years later. It affects about 1 million people each year in the United States. There may also be a fever, chills, headache, gastrointestinal disturbances, and headache.

In most cases, shingles is not a life threatening condition, but it can cause severe pain, and the effects can linger for months or years as postherpetic neuralgia.

Vaccinations against the chickenpox virus and the shingles virus can help prevent shingles.

The first symptoms of shingles are usually:

• pain
• itching
• tingling

Next, the following may start to appear:

• a painful rash of blistering sores, which appears as a single stripe around one side of the trunk
• a rash around the eye
• fever and chills
• headache
• gastrointestinal symptoms
• a rash or ulcers in the mouth, known as oral shingles

The rash from shingles tends to develop in a hallmark pattern, usually on the trunk. People sometimes call it a “shingles band” due to the striped pattern. They appear over 3–5 days.

Pain occurs because the virus causes inflammation in the nerves.

Over the next 7–10 days, the blisters often rupture, form sores, and then crust over and heal. The rash usually disappears in 2–4 weeks.

Disseminated shingles involves a widespread rash. It can affect people with a weakened immune system.

In some people, the rash heals, but the pain continues for 4 weeks or longer. In some cases, there may be severe pain lasting 90 days or more, known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PHN affects 10–18% of people who have had shingles. It rarely affects those under 40 years, but 13% of individuals aged 50 years or over will develop PHN after shingles. By the age of 70, this figure rises to around 75%.

In some cases, shingles can lead to:

• vision loss
• pneumonia
• hearing loss
• encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain
• partial facial paralysis
• polyneuritis, where multiple peripheral nerves become damaged

In some cases, the virus affects the internal organs, such as the lungs, liver, brain, spinal cord, or blood vessels. In this case, it can become life threatening. Having a weakened immune system may increase the risk of internal involvement.

What is internal shingles?

The symptoms of shingles can sometimes resemble those of other conditions, such as:

• cellulitis
• chickenpox
• herpes simplex
• impetigo
• folliculitis
• irritant contact dermatitis
• insect bites
• mucosal candidiasis, or oral thrush

The best way to work out if a rash is shingles is to speak with a doctor. In most cases, a doctor can make a diagnosis according to a person’s medical history, a physical exam, and symptoms. However, they may take a sample of skin, mucus, or blood for testing to confirm the diagnosis.

Anyone who suspects they have shingles needs to seek medical advice. Treatment can help speed recovery and reduce the risk of complications.

What do skin infections look like?

A virus called varicella zoster causes shingles. It also causes chickenpox, which used to be a common childhood illness before health experts developed a vaccine for it.

Once a person has a chickenpox infection, the virus remains in their nervous system, even after they recover. Although the virus stays in the body, doctors consider it latent, meaning it is inactive and does not cause any symptoms.

At some point, the virus can reactivate and cause shingles. The reason the virus reactivates is not entirely clear — it may become active again if a person’s immune system becomes weakened or stressed.

What treatment options are there for shingles?

A person cannot get shingles from another individual, but they can get chickenpox from someone who has shingles if they do not have immunity to chickenpox.

Transmission can occur through contact with the fluid that comes from the blisters.

When is shingles contagious?

Vaccination

According to the CDC, the shingles vaccine (Shingrix) is safe and can provide up to 97% protection against shingles, depending on the person’s age and the status of their immune system.

The Department of Health and Human Services advises everyone to have the shingles vaccine if they are:

• are aged 50 years or older
• are aged 19 or older and have a weakened immune system due to a health condition or treatment, such as chemotherapy
• are aged 19 or older and are at risk of a weakened immune system because of upcoming treatments

People should have the vaccine even if they:

• have already had shingles
• have previously been vaccinated with Zostavax, a vaccine that is no longer in use
• are not sure if they have had chickenpox

The vaccine comes in two doses, the second being 2–6 months after the first.

Here are some questions people often ask about shingles symptoms.

What are the first signs of shingles?

Early symptoms include a feeling of pain, burning, and itching in one area of the skin. After this, a rash appears, and fluid-filled blisters form. The rash is painful because the virus causes infection in the nerve cells.

What are the triggers for shingles?

Possible triggers for shingles include:

• emotional stress
• the use of immunosuppressant medications
• having a health condition that affects immunity

Will shingles go away without treatment?

There is currently no cure for shingles, but the rash usually clears up in 2–4 weeks. However, treatment can help manage it. If a person takes antiviral medication soon after the rash appears, it may shorten the duration of the infection and reduce the severity of symptoms.

Over-the-counter pain relief, wet compresses, calamine lotion, and lukewarm baths with colloidal oatmeal may help manage discomfort.

What are some natural treatments for shingles?

How long does shingles last?

The first symptoms of shingles are often pain, tingling, itching, and then a rash. The rash often forms a band around one side of the trunk. In time, blisters can form. These usually heal within 2–4 weeks, but some people have ongoing pain known as postherpetic neuralgia.

The rash can also affect the eyes and mouth, with a risk of vision loss.

Vaccination can help prevent shingles. Health experts recommend it for people aged 50 years and above and those aged 19 and over who have or are at risk of having a weakened immune system.

Pink lichen (Pityriasis Gibert): symptoms, treatment, causes

Rosacea has many names in medicine. It is called roseola flaky, Gibert’s disease, pityriasis rosea. The disease belongs to the infectious-allergic category of dermatoses, is of an acute inflammatory nature with the appearance of spotty, papular, erythematous-squamous foci. They are located mainly on the trunk and on the surface of the limbs. Most often, pink lichen Zhibera is diagnosed in women aged 20 to 40 years, as well as in adolescents. In other age groups of people, the disease is extremely rare. The peak of complaints falls in spring and autumn during the spread of acute respiratory diseases.

Information about pityriasis rosea: causes, symptoms, manifestations

Medicine does not know the exact causes of the development of Zhiber’s lichen in men and women. Research is being carried out in the field of influence of herpes viruses of types 6 and 7, but an unambiguous etiological agent has not yet been determined. The causes of pink lichen continue to be studied. It is only known that at any moment a weakened immune system can become a trigger. The causes of pink lichen lie precisely in the reduction of the body’s defenses due to bacterial and infectious diseases.

Symptoms and clinical picture of the disease

Due to colds, hypothermia, severe emotional state, stress, a rash may appear on the skin. Symptoms of pink lichen begin to appear from it. The classic clinical picture is the formation of the main focus in the form of a medallion with a diameter of 2 to 10 cm. Within 7-14 days after its appearance, the rash spreads in the form of plaques and papules of pink and yellow-brown color. They are smaller than the main focus – their diameter can be from 0.5 to 2 cm. In appearance, the rash can be confused with ringworm due to the scaly edge of the rash. A few days after the rash, the spots turn pale, wrinkle and the stratum corneum cracks. The central part of the plaques remains smooth. Symptoms of pink lichen may be accompanied by itching, fatigue, fever, general intoxication, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck and chin.

Types of disease

Pink lichen can have a classic appearance, when the clinical picture develops in stages in accordance with the generally accepted system – from the appearance of a “maternal” plaque to smaller rashes in the chest, back, abdomen, thighs, and on the flexor surfaces of the limbs. In the medical classification, several more forms of the disease are distinguished. Deprive Zhibera happens:

• urticarial – characterized by the presence of not plaques, but a blistering rash. There is severe itching. In appearance it resembles a urticaria;
• vesicular – manifested by generalized rashes of vesicles with severe itching. The diameter of the blisters with a clear or cloudy liquid is from 2 to 6 mm. Often they form “rosettes”;
• papular – rare. It is characterized by the appearance of cavityless formations above the surface of the skin. Small papules 1-2 mm in diameter;
• hemorrhagic – dotted hemorrhages (hemorrhages) occur, so the color of the plaques is darker than usual;
• follicular – rashes are grouped into rounded plaques of follicular papules, which can occur in parallel with classic plaques;
• single-sided;
• hypopigmented – more common in people with swarthy or dark skin. Lichen inverse is characterized by rashes in the axillary and inguinal regions and in the popliteal fossae;
• asbestos-like – extremely rare, and manifests itself in the scalp in the form of gray plaques;
• giant lichen pink Darya – the formation of large plaques in diameter from 5-7 cm. In severe cases, they reach the size of the patient’s palm;
• Vidal’s rosacea annulare has an atypical location, predominantly in the groin or axilla. The rashes look ring-shaped.

Gender and age characteristics

Pink lichen affects women, teenagers and children. Different forms of the disease affect certain groups of people. For example, the vesicular form is diagnosed more often in children and adolescents. The papular form is diagnosed in most cases in pregnant women and young children. Unilateral – equally occurs in both adults and children.

How disease is transmitted

Studies have not given a clear answer to the question of infection. Theoretically, pink lichen is transmitted by tactile contact, but this happens extremely rarely. There must be triggers for infection to occur. We are talking about low immunity, past viral and infectious diseases, colds. Relapse is possible in people with HIV, oncology and blood diseases.

What you need to know about diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis of pink lichen is based on the collection of the patient’s history. To confirm or refute, analyze complex cases, a number of laboratory tests are prescribed. They include a clinical study of blood and urine. It is necessary to exclude syphilis and mycosis, therefore, serological and microscopic studies are additionally carried out. If these methods do not provide enough information to verify the diagnosis, the patient is referred for a biopsy (biopsy histology).

Treatment for rosacea is not always required. The disease is prone to arbitrary self-healing within 5 weeks. However, dermatosis should not be considered harmless. First of all, antipruritic therapy is required. For this, topical glucocorticosteroid drugs, antihistamines are used externally. Ointments, gels, pastes can not be used without the appointment of a dermatologist. Otherwise, the rash can increase the scale of the skin lesion, capturing new areas. Of the drugs, antibiotics and antiviral agents can be prescribed, depending on the definition of indications. Ultraviolet therapy gives a good effect.

Dermatologist’s help in Moscow

Diagnosis of pink lichen and treatment is the field of activity of a dermatologist. Depending on the form of the disease, the scale of the skin lesion, the patient is provided with recommendations. With lichen, the emotional and psychological background of a person is important, therefore, promptly making the correct diagnosis allows you to quickly overcome the disease.

You can make an appointment with the dermatologist of JSC “Medicina” (clinic of Academician Roitberg) by phone +7 (495) 775-73-60. Self-medication is not worth it. The reason – according to external signs, skin rashes can turn out to be differential diseases, for example, toxidermia, psoriasis, mycosis, secondary syphilis. In these cases, the appointment of another therapy is required, taking into account the specific clinical picture and the patient’s history.

Frequently asked questions from patients

What causes pink lichen?

There is no single answer to this question. Research is ongoing. Presumably, the cause may be the herpes virus type 6 or 7. With a decrease in immunity, it is activated, which triggers the process of rashes of various types (plaques, vesicles, blisters). Stress, poor ecology, hormonal surges, chronic diseases can provoke the disease.

Is rosacea contagious?

Pink lichen in humans is considered non-contagious, but rare cases of the disease of entire families are known. Much depends on the state of immunity and the body’s defenses that can resist viruses, bacteria and infections.

Is it possible to sunbathe with pink lichen?

One of the types of therapy for this dermatological disease is light therapy. Moderate exposure to ultraviolet radiation has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, stimulating its regeneration. Combustion must not be allowed. This will lead to increased itching in the area of ​​the spots.

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+7 (495) 775-73-60

Pink lichen in a child: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

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