Tips to Treat Shingles Scalp pain and itchy rash

Shingles can form a blistering, itchy, painful rash anywhere on the body, but can be particularly excruciating and challenging if it spreads to the scalp. Shingles blisters can leave you with a sensitive scalp and make grooming very difficult. What’s worse, the infection can result in bald patches if you aren’t careful about how you treat the rash.

Shingles are caused by the reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox, the varicella zoster virus. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus can travel down into the nerve tissues of the body and lay there dormant for decades. Shingles occurs when the virus reawakens and travels back up the nerve pathways and out to the skin. Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for contracting shingles later in life.

Shingles and a Sensitive Scalp

The itching and pain of shingles can leave your scalp incredibly sensitive to even the slightest pressure. That can make running a brush or comb through your hair a terrible ordeal, with the bristles scraping the rash and potentially causing the blisters to burst. At other times, the urge to scratch your itchy scalp may seem irresistible.

However, you must avoid both scratching and combing too hard. The viral infection that causes shingles can result in hair loss through a condition known as cicatricial alopecia or scarring alopecia. Scarring caused by the shingles rash destroys stem cells in hair follicles that create new hair growth. The destruction of these cells prevents hair regeneration, resulting in permanent hair loss. Scratching or scraping at the rash can increase your chances of scarring alopecia.

Note that shingles only affects one side of the body. That means a scalp rash will also be limited to one side of your head.

Scalp Treatment for Shingles

There are some specific scalp treatments and hair care techniques you can use to relieve the pain and itching of a sensitive scalp and help head off permanent damage:

• Apply cool water and cold compresses to the part of your scalp affected by the shingles rash.
• Pat calamine or menthol lotion on your head as a soothing scalp treatment.
• Avoid using harsh soaps or scented shampoos when washing your hair. Try to find a gentle, unscented hair cleanser.
• When washing your hair, use lukewarm or warm water — never hot.
• Avoid scrubbing when washing your hair. Use gentle motions with your fingertips, never the nails.
• Pat your hair dry with a towel after washing, rather than rubbing it dry.
• Comb your hair carefully, trying to scrape your rash as little as possible.
• Do not use any hair care products on a sensitive scalp rash. Avoid hair spray, pomade, mousse, and other products.
• Discuss with your doctor or dermatologist any prescription emollients or creams that might help soothe your shingles rash or decrease itching to prevent scratching.

More general treatments to address your shingles scalp infection and symptoms include:

• Antiviral medications that attack the shingles virus
• Tricyclic antidepressants, which have been shown to interrupt pain signals
• Topical lidocaine patches, which can relieve itching and pain when applied directly to the rash
• Nerve blocks, which are topical anesthetics injected directly into the rash
• Over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin or NSAIDs

There are a number of ways to deal with shingles that affects your scalp. By using shingles scalp treatments carefully, you may avoid permanent scarring and hair loss.

Shingles on Forehead and in the Eye

In January 2015, I knew nothing about Shingles or Herpes Zoster Virus. Now, having come close to losing my sight as a result of “ocular shingles” or “ophthalmic shingles”, which is when an episode of shingles attacks the eye, I want to share my experience so that other people might come across this when searching for information about their symptoms and find out the most important things to know and to do, and when to take action. DAY ONE	Shingles – the Early Warning Signs HEADACHE Looking back on it, the first sign was a headache, but as headaches can be caused by so many insignificant things, who would worry about, that, right? I ignored it, of course. SKIN SENSATIONS ON FOREHEAD OR SCALP: TINGLING,  STINGING, SKIN CRAWLING OR ITCHING The night after the headache, I woke up from my sleep with the distinct feeling that someone was pulling my hair, HARD! I thought I was dreaming or imagining it and went back to sleep.  It woke me again, two or three times.   It felt as if someone was touching my hair. It was waking me up and, since my husband was away on a business trip and I was alone in the house, it made me anxious, but I put it down to an over-active imagination.  There was a crawling sensation on my head as if my hair was being blown by a breeze or moving about.  It didn’t make sense. Weird? Yes, but having no idea what it was, I tried to ignore it and get back to sleep. PAIN LIKE SUNBURN, PAIN WHEN COMBING HAIR The next morning, I thought my experiences the previous night were peculiar and tried to put them out of my mind, but when I began to comb my hair, it was painful.  Any young girl who ever had her hair tied in a tight ponytail and then removes the elastic band, knows that it can be painful as the hair moves free.  That’s how it felt.  Every follicle was sore and sending out a message of pain.  When I touched my scalp, it felt as if the skin was suffering the effects of sunburn. RASH, SKIN HYPERSENSITIVE TO TOUCH, STINGING, PAINFUL Later that day (the day after the headache) I noticed a very faint rash on my head. It was hardly visible, but the skin was very sensitive and painful when I touched it.  It felt as if my fingers were burning my skin, when I touched my forehead I felt pains like needles stabbing in.
When I look back at the picture above, I can already see from the bloodshot signs that it was affecting my eye, but at that point I didn’t feel anything in my eye.  It doesn’t look much worse than if I had rubbed my eye, or had got soap or shampoo in it.  Nothing I was feeling seemed dangerous but it was puzzling enough to make me search for an answer to my symptoms on the internet.   All I found about the skin sensations were references to Motor Neuron Disease and all that did was convince me I was worrying unnecessarily.   So what did I do? I decided I was being a hypochondriac.  I ignored it.  What I didn’t realise was that an important countdown had begun….	This is Day One of the Rash, and a 72-hour countdown for treatment has already begun I know now, that at this stage I should have gone to the doctor to start taking anti-viral medication to try to arrest the progress of the virus.  If your symptoms are similar at this stage, go to the doctor immediately – even if you see very little on your skin.  I simply tried to ignore the symptoms.  I am someone who is used to having allergic reactions to soap, water, creams, I thought that somehow my forehead had come into contact with something that was causing a reaction and that I was just having an attack of dermatitis or eczema.
DAY TWO It put my mind at rest that I seemed to know what the problem was. BUT… I spent Day Two finding out more about Shingles instead of going to the doctor.	Day Two The next day, I found some information about Shingles on the internet and for the first time, I considered that I might have Shingles. I was now experiencing… Sharp, stinging, excruciating pain My skin was incredibly sensitive. My scalp hurt if my hair moved.  My forehead hurt if my hair touched it. It felt like knives, or needles stabbing into me.  The pain felt like a carpet that had needles instead of fibres and which someone was pressing hard into my face and scalp.  More inflammation and blisters The rash was raised and I could see that small blisters were forming.  My eye was more bloodshot and painful when I looked up and down or side to side.  But the eye didn’t bother me as much as the pain in my forehead and scalp.  What is/are Shingles? Anyone who has had Chicken Pox can get Shingles later in life.  The Herpes Zoster Virus doesn’t leave the body, it resides latent in the spinal ganglia.  At any time it can break out of nerve cell bodies and travel down the nerve axons to the skin, erupting in the region associated with that nerve.   It’s possible that this could happen as a result of stress, or low immune system.  But this happened to me when I was feeling particularly well and healthy! You cannot give anyone Shingles, but if someone comes into contact with the rash, who has not had Chicken Pox, then they could catch Chicken Pox. Distinctive Characteristics of Herpes Zoster Virus Rash and Blisters Being associated with one nerve, the rash is contained within the part of the body associated with the nerve.  Think of the nerve like the trunk of a tree, with branches spreading out.  The virus travels along the branches to the skin, but it stays in one connected area.  You will find the rash is contained to one side of the body.  I had a classic case of rash on one side of my forehead – this was coming from a nerve at the top of my neck.   The most common place for a rash is on one side of the body or trunk. I spent Day Two reading about things like – Vitamin C can be helpful Lysine – found in fish and avocado – can be helpful Tea Tree oil can be soothing for the rash and protect from infection. I squeezed fresh oranges and drank lots of juice.  I ate Tuna and avocado.  And I dabbed Tea Tree oil on my head,  What I didn’t do, was go to the doctor because I thought the virus would just run its course and go away. By the end of Day Two, 48 hours had passed since the appearance of the rash.
DAY THREE	Day Three On Day Three, my eye was completely bloodshot and I found a page on the internet that said, if Shingles goes near your eye, it’s serious!  Very serious.   I got to the doctor just within the crucial 72 hours deadline for anti-viral treatment to be effective.  I was given anti-viral tablets and anti-viral ointment for my eye.  But here’s the thing…. the anti virals (which have to be given within 72 hours to work at all ) only arrest the progress of the virus.  They cannot reverse what has taken a grip already.  At that point, the doctor should have sent me to an ophthalmic specialist, because the virus had already got into my eye, but at least he got me on the anti-virals.
DAY FOUR	Day Four On Day Four, my eye was very swollen and it was difficult to get the anti-viral ointment in.   I was taking the high doses of anti-viral tablets round the clock, and hoping that they were going to start working.  The stabbing burning pain in my face, head and scalp was awful.
DAY FIVE	Day Five The blisters were even more pronounced.  The pain continued.  And now my sight was severely affected.  It was completely blurry, I assumed this was the ointment, and that I just had to keep taking the medication.
DAY SIX	Day Six The blisters were now forming scabs, I was putting Tea Tree oil on them, and I think this helped to prevent infection and scarring on my forehead. But my sight was now reduced to being able to make out blurry coloured shapes.  My husband who had been away, came home from his trip late that night and was horrified.  He resolved to take me back to the doctor the following day.
DAY SEVEN	Day Seven We went to the doctor, and saw a different doctor this time who was shocked that I had not been referred to an ophthalmic specialist sooner.  She made an appointment and we got to see him later that day.  He was very disturbed by what he saw and warned that it might not be a positive outcome.  There was a possibility my eye would be irreparably damaged and even that I could lose my sight completely. The virus was attacking my eye and every part of it was inflamed.   The pressure in my eye was at very dangerous levels.  I had conjunctivitis, uveitis, inflammation of the retina and corneal lesions.  He couldn’t tell how well or not I would respond to treatment, or how badly the optic nerve might be affected.
	During the following three weeks… The ophthalmic surgeon prescribed Steroid eye drops, Beta Blockers, and a different type of anti-viral pills, as well as atropine to keep the pupil dilated. For three weeks, I was taking eye drops around the clock. and getting regular check-ups with the ophthalmic surgeon.   For most of that time I was unable to see anything except light and dark shades with the affected eye.  Slowly I was weaned off the drugs as the doctor saw improvements in the inflammation.  My sight began to return, blurry at first, but improving all the time.  Be prepared for the depression that accompanies treatment. The side effects of some of the drugs were “suicidal thoughts”! So some of the depression could be induced by the treatment.  But the illness itself will make you feel very, very low.  Understand that it’s perfectly normal.
DAY THIRTY	Day Thirty After a month of treatment, the doctor reported that the optic nerve looked good and that there was a chance my sight might get back almost to normal.   My eye was still inflamed, and my sight was very slightly blurred, but I was very, very lucky indeed. A month after the attack began and the pain in my forehead and scalp began slowly fading, but in the late afternoon, or evening, if I was tired, it would return with short, excruciating, attacks.  The red marks of the rash faded but they, too, would flare up from time to time.  I found a tip on the internet about bathing the rash in saline solution (which I made up with boiled water and sea salt).  As it dries on the skin, it has a soothing, cooling effect and definitely calms the pain.
Five months after the start of the attack… Another visit to the eye doc confirmed that all was not well with my eye. I would have ignored the bloodshot-ness and blurriness because I would have been happy never to see another doctor’s surgery again, but I was putting myself in danger of never seeing *anything* again. The shingles virus was continuing to try to attack. My immune system was fighting to keep a lid on it, but the virus was still managing to cause inflammation at the nerve endings. It was creating adhesions between the iris and the crystalline lens and affecting the ability to focus. If the muscle cannot work properly, it will atrophy. I had to have another month’s worth of anti viral and steroid treatment. It’s important to come off the steroids very very slowly so that there is no “rebound”. After one month of additional treatment… I was finally declared “clear”.  The ophthalmologist was VERY pleased with his handiwork. So pleased, in fact, that while he was examining it, he stopped and said, “it WAS your right eye, wasn’t it?” Because he couldn’t believe he was looking at the same eye that had had all the problems – he said it was “almost perfect”. There’s just a tiny bit of adhesion left where the iris is attached to the crystalline lens, but it’s not affecting my sight, it just means the pupil is a bit more dilated than the other eye, so there’s some light sensitivity – but sunglasses fix that, so that’s no problem. TWO YEARS AFTER. .. The good news is that my sight has almost returned to normal.  I was left with a bloodshot streak in my eye for about eighteen months, but it has now almost completely faded away. The pupil in the affected eye is permanently larger than my other eye, and this causes a bit of photosensitivity. I have to wear sunglasses whenever it’s bright outside. I count myself lucky and am grateful for the course of treatment my doctor prescribed. He undoubtedly saved my sight and my eye. If you have these symptoms don’t postpone going to the doctor as I did!	It doesn’t end there! Unfortunately shingles doesn’t just attack you and then go.   I have come to live with a number of things with varying degrees of discomfort or annoyance… Shingles can return Fortunately it didn’t return to my eye, but about 18 months after the original attack when we were in the midst of moving house, I got a painful rash on my shoulder. At first, because I had been clearing out a very dusty attic, I though it was spider or some other insect bites.  Stupidly I didn’t recognise the stinging, stabbing pain until it was too late.  It was shingles and I get occasional attacks of Post Herpetic Neuralgia on my shoulder as well as head, now! Post Herpetic Neuralgia The discomfort of stinging and stabbing pains can appear at any time.   They don’t necessarily last for very long, and they have definitely become less frequent, but they show no signs of disappearing completely.  Headaches I get headaches – like migraines – which don’t respond to any sort of painkillers and last between 18 and 24 hours.  They definitely seem to centre on the same area where the shingles was.  Fatigue The headaches are always preceded by an enormous feeling of fatigue. I now recognise the symptoms and know what to expect which makes it easier to get through it. Sometimes I just have to go to bed very early or close my eyes and have a nap in the afternoon.

When Shingles Affects the Scalp… – First Coast Dermatology

When Shingles Affects the Scalp

Shingles can form a blistering, itchy, painful rash anywhere on the body, but can be particularly excruciating and challenging if it spreads to the scalp. Shingles blisters can leave you with a sensitive scalp and make grooming very difficult. What’s worse, the infection can result in bald patches if you aren’t careful about how you treat the rash.
Shingles are caused by the reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox, the varicella zoster virus. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus can travel down into the nerve tissues of the body and lay there dormant for decades. Shingles occurs when the virus reawakens and travels back up the nerve pathways and out to the skin. Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for contracting shingles later in life.

Shingles and a Sensitive Scalp

The itching and pain of shingles can leave your scalp incredibly sensitive to even the slightest pressure. That can make running a brush or comb through your hair a terrible ordeal, with the bristles scraping the rash and potentially causing the blisters to burst. At other times, the urge to scratch your itchy scalp may seem irresistible.

However, you must avoid both scratching and combing too hard. The viral infection that causes shingles can result in hair loss through a condition known as cicatricial alopecia or scarring alopecia. Scarring caused by the shingles rash destroys stem cells in hair follicles that create new hair growth.

The destruction of these cells prevents hair regeneration, resulting in permanent hair loss. Scratching or scraping at the rash can increase your chances of scarring alopecia.
Note that shingles only affects one side of the body. That means a scalp rash will also be limited to one side of your head.

Scalp Treatment for Shingles

There are some specific scalp treatments and hair care techniques you can use to relieve the pain and itching of a sensitive scalp and help head off permanent damage:
Apply cool water and cold compresses to the part of your scalp affected by the shingles rash.
Pat calamine or menthol lotion on your head as a soothing scalp treatment.
Avoid using harsh soaps or scented shampoos when washing your hair. Try to find a gentle, unscented hair cleanser.
When washing your hair, use lukewarm or warm water — never hot.
Avoid scrubbing when washing your hair. Use gentle motions with your fingertips, never the nails.
Pat your hair dry with a towel after washing, rather than rubbing it dry.
Comb your hair carefully, trying to scrape your rash as little as possible.
Do not use any hair care products on a sensitive scalp rash. Avoid hair spray, pomade, mousse, and other products.
Discuss with your doctor or dermatologist any prescription emollients or creams that might help soothe your shingles rash or decrease itching to prevent scratching.
#shingles #sensitivescalp #jacksonville #dermatology

‘Is Shingles Causing My Hair Loss?’

Author: Leonora

Name: Sarah

Question: I have shingles and my hair is shedding a lot. I felt really exhausted for a week or so before the blisters came up and I was diagnosed, and I’ve been losing more hair than normal every day during this time. I have really thick hair that tends to shed quite a lot anyway but now it’s really noticeable as I don’t even have to brush it to see it coming out. Is this likely to be because of the shingles please? And what do I do about it? Thanks.

Answer: Hi Sarah. Yes, it is possible that this illness may have triggered your hair loss.

Many illnesses, including shingles (herpes zoster virus), can cause hair loss as a side-effect, as can some of the medications used to treat them. This is from a condition called Telogen Effluvium (TE) and is temporary, lasting no longer than 12 months. TE is usually caused by an event around two to three months before shedding occurs. However, everyone responds differently.

The reason for shingles to flare up later in life in people who have previously had chicken pox is currently unknown so there may well be a link between the two that we are not aware of. Stress is thought to be a trigger for both shingles and Telogen Effluvium so it may be worth trying to relax more and make sure your stress levels are in check.

The hair you lose will generally regrow naturally once the body is no longer having to fight the infection, but treatment for Telogen Effluvium can help to accelerate the regrowth process.

Aciclovir, a medication often used to treat shingles, has been linked to Alopecia Areata, however this is unlikely to be the reason for your shedding as this makes the hair fall out in distinct patches.

TE causes diffuse shedding from all over the scalp which sounds like what you are describing and the lingering effects of shingles are enough to cause hair loss in most people so it is likely to be the case although we would advise you to see a hair loss specialist for a professional diagnosis. This is because Telogen Effluvium can not only exacerbate, but also trigger Female Pattern Hair Loss if you have a genetic predisposition to this hereditary condition so it is worth getting checked over to ensure you know exactly what you are experiencing, particularly as you mention that you tend to regularly shed a lot of hair. A dedicated specialist can also provide you with advice and information on the best hair loss treatment course to follow for your specific situation.

The Belgravia Centre

The Belgravia Centre is the leader in hair loss treatment in the UK, with two clinics based in Central London. If you are worried about hair loss you can arrange a free consultation with a hair loss expert or complete our Online Consultation Form from anywhere in the UK or the rest of the world. View our Hair Loss Success Stories, which are the largest collection of such success stories in the world and demonstrate the levels of success that so many of Belgravia’s patients achieve. You can also phone 020 7730 6666 any time for our hair loss helpline or to arrange a free consultation.

How to Treat Shingles – Dermatologist in Savannah, GA

If you have ever had chickenpox, or been vaccinated for it, you are at risk for getting shingles – a painful, blistering rash. This is because after the chickenpox clears, the virus stays in the body. If the virus reactivates, or wakes up, you could get shingles.

Although shingles is much less contagious and itchy than chickenpox, it tends to cause more pain. In addition, although the shingles rash usually clears in a few weeks, some people can experience pain, numbness, itching and tingling that can last months or even years.

According to dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), common signs and symptoms of shingles include:

• An area of skin that burns, itches, tingles or feels very sensitive: This usually occurs in a small area on one side of the body and lasts one to three days. 
• A rash that begins as red spots and quickly turns into groups of clear, painful blisters: These may turn yellow or bloody before they scab over and heal. 
• Flu-like symptoms: A fever or headache may occur with the rash.
• Pain: Sometimes, the pain is bad enough for a doctor to prescribe medication. The pain tends to lessen once the blisters heal, which can take two to three weeks.

To help relieve shingles pain and discomfort, the Academy recommends the following tips:

1. See a board-certified dermatologist as soon as symptoms appear. A dermatologist may prescribe anti-viral medicine and a medicine to help reduce the pain more quickly. When used within 72 hours of the rash appearing, these medications may make symptoms milder and shorter.
2. Cool the rash with ice packs, cool wet cloths, or cool baths.  
3. Gently apply calamine lotion to the rash and blisters. Never pick at, scratch or pop the blisters, as the fluid within the blisters can be contagious and blisters help your skin heal. 
4. Cover the rash with loose, non-stick, sterile bandages. 
5. Wear loose, cotton clothing around the body parts that hurt.

If you suspect you have shingles, avoid contact with women who are pregnant and anyone who has not had chickenpox or has not been vaccinated, and see a board-certified dermatologist right away.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one million Americans experience shingles each year, and the disease is most common in older adults. A vaccine, which can help prevent shingles, is available to people ages 50 and older, and it is recommended by dermatologists.

© 2019 American Academy of Dermatology. All rights reserved. Reproduction or republication strictly prohibited without prior written permission. Use of these materials is subject to the legal notice and terms of use located at https://www.aad.org/about/legal

Shingles | Ministry of Health NZ

Summary

After you recover from chickenpox, the virus stays in your body. It moves to the roots of your nerve cells (near the spinal cord) and becomes inactive (dormant). Later, if the virus becomes active again, shingles is the name given to the symptoms it causes. 

You can only get shingles if you’ve had chickenpox in the past (usually as a child). While anyone who has recovered from chickenpox may develop shingles, the risk of shingles increases as you get older.

It is not known what exactly causes the virus to become active again, but the risk of getting shingles is greater in people with a weakened immune system.

Shingles is also known as herpes zoster (a different disease to herpes simplex).

You can’t catch shingles directly from someone else; however, if you’ve never had chickenpox, or received the chickenpox vaccine, you can catch chickenpox from close contact with someone who has shingles, because the shingles blisters contain the chickenpox virus.

As the virus is spread through direct contact with fluid from the rash blisters, a person with shingles is infectious when the rash is in the blister phase. Once the rash has developed crusts, the person is no longer infectious. 

Shingles is less contagious than chickenpox and the risk of a person with shingles spreading the virus is low if the rash is covered. If you have shingles, you should:

• cover the rash
• avoid touching or scratching the rash
• wash your hands regularly to prevent the spread of varicella zoster virus
• avoid contact with the following high risk groups until the rash has developed crusts:
  • pregnant women who have not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine
  • premature or low birth weight infants; and
  • people with weakened immune systems, such as people receiving immunosuppressive medications or undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients and people with HIV infection.

Symptoms

Shingles is a painful rash that develops on one side of the face, body or head. The rash is made up of small blisters that typically scab over after 7–10 days.

Before the rash develops, people often have pain, itching or tingling in the area where the rash will develop. Although shingles can occur anywhere on your body, it most commonly occurs around the back or the upper abdomen or on the face. Usually the rash occurs in a stripe on either the left or the right side of the body. Less commonly, the rash can be more widespread. This generally occurs only in people with a weakened immune system.

Other symptoms of shingles can include:

• fever
• headache
• chills
• upset stomach.

The pain or irritation from shingles will usually go away in 3 to 5 weeks. However, if the virus damages a nerve, you may have pain, numbness or tingling for months or even years after the rash is healed. This chronic condition is most likely to occur in people over 50. Antiviral medicine can help prevent this condition.

Call Healthline 0800 611 116 if you are unsure what you should do.

Other complications

If you get shingles on your head or scalp, you may get headaches and weakness on one side of your face (causing that side of your face to look droopy). This usually goes away, but it may take many months – especially if you’ve had a lot of weakness of your face muscles.

Some people also develop painful eye or ear inflammations and infections with shingles.

Treatment

When you should see your doctor

Go to your doctor as soon as you see the rash, as treatment is most effective if it’s started early.

Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medicine, which may help you recover faster and will reduce the chance that the pain will last for a long time.

Your doctor may also give you medicine for pain relief.

See your doctor again if:

• you get any blisters on your face
• your fever or pain gets worse
• your neck gets stiff, you can’t hear properly or you feel less able to think clearly
• you develop new symptoms such as drooping or weakness to one side of your face
• the blisters show signs of infection (eg, they become more sore or red) or if you see milky yellow drainage from the blister sites.

Call Healthline 0800 611 116 if you are unsure what you should do.

Self care

• Take a painkiller such as paracetamol, and any other medicine your doctor prescribes.
• Put cool, moist washcloths on the rash (wash any used washcloths).
• Rest in bed during the early stages if you have fever and other symptoms.
• Wear loose clothing to reduce friction/rubbing of the blisters.

Prevention

The best protection against shingles is immunisation. The shingles vaccine (Zostavax) is free at age 65 years.

Until 31 December 2021, anyone aged from 66 to 80 years is also eligible for a free shingles vaccine.

Talk to your doctor if you are immunosuppressed or immune deficient as the shingles vaccine may not be suitable for you.

Those aged 50 to 64 years who are at increased risk of shingles or are a household contact of an immune compromised individual may also benefit from the vaccination, however a cost will apply for this age group. 

Shingles 101: Your Questions Answered | Health Answers

The rates of shingles in the U.S. are on the rise, and that
doesn’t refer to the shingles on your roof.

A vaccine is available to reduce your risk of infection
but it’s important to understand the shingles virus, shingles
symptoms, causes of shingles, how to treat shingles, and the
shingles vaccine to prevent the disease. Spend a few minutes to get
your shingles questions answered here in Shingles 101.

What are shingles?

Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. It
occurs after being exposed to the chicken pox virus and typically
affects adults.

What is the cause of shingles?

Shingles is also known as zoster or herpes zoster. Chicken
pox and shingles are both caused by the same virus, varicella
zoster virus or VZV.

How do you get shingles and how do shingles start?

The first time a person is exposed to and infected by VZV,
they will develop chicken pox. After the infection resolves, the
virus remains inactive in a bundle of nerve cells and can
reactivate later in life to cause shingles.

Who is at risk for getting shingles?

There are an estimated 1 million cases of shingles diagnosed
yearly in the U.S. About 1 in 3 Americans will develop shingles
during their lifetime.

Almost all American adults over 40 have been exposed to the
chicken pox virus and are at risk for developing shingles. Shingles
typically occurs in adults older than 50 years of age and the risk
further increases with age. People with weakened immune systems
also have an increased risk of experiencing shingles and its
complications.

Can you get shingles more than once?

Most people have only one episode of herpes zoster in their
lifetime. However, second and even third episodes are possible.
Receiving the shingles vaccine can reduce a person’s risk of
developing shingles.

What are the symptoms of shingles and what do shingles look
like?

Rash is the most common feature of shingles. The rash is usually
painful, itchy, or tingly. Shingles rashes typically appear in a
certain area of the body and usually concentrate on one half of the
body. The rash develops in new clusters every three to five days
before drying and crusting over.

Are there early signs of shingles?

In the beginning stages of shingles, a person may experience an
itchy, tingly, or painful sensation several days before the rash
appears. Some people may also complain of headache, sensitivity to
light, body aches, and malaise prior to the formation of rash or
blisters from shingles.

Do shingles itch?

The rash associated with shingles can be itchy, tingly or
very painful.

How long does shingles last?

The infection may last up to a month in duration while the
pain from the rash may last weeks, months, or even years after the
infection has resolved.

Where does shingles appear on the body?

People most commonly have shingles blisters or a localized
rash appearing on one side of the trunk and shoulder area. People may also
experience shingles on the back, shingles on the scalp or shingles
on the face or neck. Other areas shingles may appear include the
arms, hands, or legs, and some may even develop shingles in the
eyes. In rare cases, it’s possible to have shingles without a rash.

Is shingles painful?

The most common complication of shingles is persistent pain
in the area of the shingles rash that can last well beyond the
infection, called postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN. People often
describe shingles pain as a burning or stabbing sensation. The risk
of shingles pain increases with age and can also increase depending
on the size and location of the rash and in people with weakened
immune systems.

How long does shingles pain last?

PHN pain can last months or even years after the shingles
infection has cleared up.

Is shingles airborne?

No. The virus that causes shingles is spread through direct
contact with fluid from the rash of an active case of shingles.

Is shingles contagious?

Shingles itself is not contagious. However, the varicella
zoster virus that causes shingles is contagious, and if you have
active shingles, you can spread the virus to another person,
causing someone who has never had chickenpox or the chicken pox
vaccine to develop chickenpox. A person with chickenpox is very
contagious.

How is shingles spread?

People with active shingles can spread the virus to others by
coming in direct contact with the blisters.

Can you get chicken pox from shingles?

People with active shingles can infect others and in some
cases can cause chicken pox in those who have never been exposed to
the virus or received the chicken pox vaccine.

When is shingles contagious and how long is shingles
contagious?

Individuals are considered contagious until their blisters
are dry and crusted over which takes two to four weeks. Help reduce
the spread of shingles by not touching the rash and keeping it
covered. During the contagious period, avoid contact with pregnant
women who aren’t protected against chickenpox, premature infants,
and people with weakened immune systems.

How to treat shingles

Patients always want to know how to get rid of shingles.
Shingles treatment is usually started once a person is diagnosed,
ideally within 72 hours of the start of the rash. Antiviral
medications for shingles such as acyclovir, famciclovir, or
valacyclovir are often prescribed for 1 week or longer if needed.

What can be used for shingles pain relief?

Shingles medications to help control pain such as
anti-inflammatories, steroids, or opioids may be used as needed.

Home remedies for shingles are not typically advised but over
the counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be recommended.

Special cases: shingles in pregnancy and shingles in
children

Shingles has always been uncommon among children. Since the
routine chickenpox vaccination program started, the rate of
shingles in children in the U.S. has been declining. Infected
children typically have milder symptoms compared to adults.

While uncommon, pregnant women already exposed to the chicken
pox virus can also develop shingles. Those exposed to shingles who
are not immune to the chicken pox virus may develop chicken pox.
Medical attention should be sought immediately if shingles or
chicken pox is suspected during pregnancy.

The Shingles Vaccine

Shingles
vaccination is the best protection against shingles and the
lingering pain. There is currently one vaccine available for
protection against shingles: Shingrix®.

What is the shingles vaccine age recommendation?

A shingles vaccine is recommended by the Center for Disease
Control (CDC) for adults 50 and older.

Is the shingles vaccine effective?

Two doses of Shingrix® given 2 to 6 months apart, is more than
90% effective in preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia.

Who should get the shingles vaccine?

The shingles vaccine is recommended for people 50 and over
with a healthy immune system even if a person has received
Zostavax® for shingles in the past.

What are shingles vaccine side effects?

Expected
side effects from Shingrix® include pain, redness, or swelling at
the site where the injection is given, headache, fever, tiredness,
muscle pain, and stomach discomfort. Side effects should improve
within 2 to 3 days.

Anyone who is allergic to the vaccine should not receive a
shingles vaccine. Someone who has a weakened immune system due to a
medical condition or medication or anyone who is interested in
receiving the vaccine should talk to their pharmacist or provider
to see if the shingles vaccine is the right choice for them.

What does the shingles vaccine cost?

The cost of the shingles vaccine can vary from $0 to $300
depending on availability and amount of coverage from insurance or
Medicare. Your pharmacist or provider can answer any additional
questions you may have on shingles or the shingles vaccine.

Published on June 27, 2018. Updated by Gabriela
Ziccarelli, PharmD on May 25, 2021.

Sources:

Shingrix [package insert]. Rixenart, Belgium. GlaxoSmithKline
Biologicals. May 2018.

90,000 Hair loss in men 9,0001
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Hair loss in men – Only a trichologist can determine why hair is falling out. Relying on the results of analyzes and data obtained with the help of modern computer programs, as well as taking into account external signs, a specialist can give a man advice on treatment. Among the most common forms of hair loss:

• Androgenetic
• Female
• Diffuse

Most often, hair loss in men is associated with the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which acts on the genetic susceptibility of the scalp of hair follicles, which leads to the fact that there are fewer of them and eventually they disappear.This process is called “follicle miniaturization”. DHT is produced by the enzyme testosterone 5-alpha reductase, a hormone that induces sexual characteristics in men. DHT causes hair loss in men by reducing growth or stopping it completely, which leads to a decrease in the size of hair follicles and premature entry into the “sleep” phase.

Hair follicles located in the anterior, upper and crown of the scalp are sensitive to DHT. This pattern, described by Norwood, typically begins with a thinning of the hairline at the temples and can progress to general baldness, leaving only a hairline in the occipital region and at the temples.

According to Norwood, the following stages of hair loss are distributed:

• Stage 1 and 2 include the type of baldness, which is a simple age-related change in the hair follicle; usually at this stage, complete baldness does not threaten a man;
• stage 3 is characterized by the formation of small bald patches in the temporal part;
• at stage 4, hair begins to fall out profusely in the region of the crown;
• at the 5th stage, rapid hair loss begins, where the bald patch on the crown is separated from the bald patches at the temple;
• at stage 6, all formed bald patches begin to unite, forming a single whole;
• at the 7th or 8th stage, the remaining hair falls out.

Diagnostics – computer analysis of the condition of the hair and scalp is usually complemented by laboratory tests: blood tests, a study of the hormonal functions of the thyroid gland, testosterone and its fractions, and tests for lupus erythematosus, syphilis and a number of other diseases.

Scraping and biopsy of the scalp can also be performed to diagnose hair.

Methods of treatment – the trichologist has at his disposal modern dermatologically tested shampoos, as well as a number of external products in the form of lotion, solution.

Medicines play an important role in the prevention and treatment of hair loss. They are especially helpful in the early stages of the balding process. There are several approved drugs for the treatment of male hair loss Finasteride and minoxidil are approved for the treatment of male pattern baldness among many.

Minoxidil is used to stimulate hair follicles. It slows down hair loss in men and some men grow new hair. It is necessary to use the drug twice a day.The drug must be used for a long time.

To achieve the desired result, you need to be patient, because the treatment takes from 6 months to 1 year. At the beginning of treatment, many people noticed hair loss, but after that the hair stops falling out. The course cannot be interrupted, you must complete it.

Finasteride is a pill that affects the production of a certain male hormone associated with hair loss. Slows down hair loss. However, only a specialist can determine the indications for the use of drugs.

Other treatments are effective:

• Head massage, laser exposure, electrical stimulation and other physiotherapeutic methods – microcurrent therapy.
• Reception of vitamin complexes, balanced nutrition. Preparations and products with a high content of zinc, selenium, fatty acids, amino acids, B vitamins
• Use of external anti-hair loss agents containing vitamins, arginine, herbal complexes to improve microcirculation and nutrition (only as an auxiliary therapy).
• Injections of autoplasma, bioactive preparations

Clinical Study Peripheral Nerve Injury: CAPNP, capsaicin patch 50 μg / cm2, CAPNP, capsaicin patch 100 μg / cm2, 0.075% capsaicin cream, Placebo patch – Clinical trial registry

Inclusion criteria:

in

age 18 and older with chronic peripheral neuropathy associated with a diagnosis of PHN or DPN

– patients with chronic peripheral neuropathic pain for more than 3 months with an 11-point numerical scale pain score (NRS) ≥ 4

– patients diagnosed with PHN were admitted for examination, if at least 3 months have passed with shingles, vesicle crusting

– patients with DPN and well-controlled diabetes were asked to maintain a stable dose oral hypoglycemic drugs or insulin during the study period

– patients taking concomitant pain relievers such as anticonvulsants drugs, antidepressants, anxiolytics and opioids, including tramadol, are required to maintain a stable dose for at least 4 weeks prior to training

– any conservative treatments such as TENS, physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage, biofeedback, or yoga were discontinued at least 5 weeks prior registration.

– Women of childbearing age must have passed a negative pregnancy test and must be ready to use an effective method of contraception for at least 28 days after the last exposure to the study drug

Exclusion criterion:

– diffusely distributed neuropathic pain due to spinal stenosis , postoperative origin, complex regional pain syndrome or genetic neurological disease, or significant pain outside the target area

– significant pain other than PHN or DNP

– other severe acute or chronic physical or mental illness or laboratory condition abnormal that may increase the risk associated with participation in a study or administration of the investigational product, or may interfere with adherence or interpretation of the study results and, in the investigator’s opinion, the subject is not eligible for participation in the study

– painful areas of PHN located on the face or above the hairline on the scalp

– implanted medical device for the treatment of neuropathic pain

– use of topical products, including products containing capsaicin, 5% lidocaine patch or similar products, local anesthetics or steroids manufactured in the last 21 years days

– capsaicin hypersensitivity; current use of any class 1 antiarrhythmic drug; and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or uncontrolled hypertension

– If patients are taking an oral NSAID or a COX2 inhibitor, it should be discontinued at least 2 times.weeks before randomization; however, acetaminophen for pain relief has been authorized up to 4 g per day

90,000 Craniotomy in Switzerland: cost, best doctors and hospitals certified by JCI

Craniotomy is a preliminary surgical procedure that must be performed to access the brain and continue further operations. It involves cutting and opening a portion of the skull to gain access to the brain. It is performed both for severe neurological or cerebral anomalies and for traumatic or accidental injuries.A craniotomy is also performed to remove stuck foreign objects such as iron rods, bullets, nails, etc.

What is a craniotomy?

Surgical removal of a bone graft or portion of the skull to perform a necessary operation on the brain is called craniotomy. However, after the operation, the bone flap is fixed with metal screws. A craniotomy involves tiny incisions or burrs and a sizable incision known as keyholes to perform the required functions.The entire procedure is guided by endoscopes, stereostatic framing and computer imaging to assist surgeons:

• Remove blood clots in case of bleeding
• Draining excess cerebrospinal fluid
• Treat brain tumors
• Relax tense arteries, veins or nerves
• Treat trauma
• Introduce devices such as intracranial pressure monitoring system, deep brain stimulation devices

Ideal candidates for craniotomy surgery

Evaluation of the ideal candidate for craniotomy surgery is first and foremost important.Surgeons should select the ideal candidate if the person:

• Suffers from a late stage brain tumor.
• An urgent biopsy of the affected brain tissue is required.
• Suffers from an additional increase in intracranial pressure
• An artificial device is required to monitor brain function.
• Foreign object stuck in the brain
• Suffers from bleeding

Factors affecting the cost of craniotomy in India

Craniotomy is mainly performed to treat or remove brain tumors (malignant or benign).The average cost of surgery to remove a brain tumor can range from $ 20,000 to $ 8,000 to $ 20,000. In addition to tumors, the operation is performed for a number of other reasons, depending on which the cost of craniotomy can range from $ XNUMX to $ XNUMX. This could depend on:

• Cause of craniotomy
• Type of craniotomy required
• Grade of bone graft removal
• Postoperative follow-up period required
• Medical benefits required

.