Shingles – aftercare: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Shingles is a painful, blistering skin rash that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles is also called herpes zoster.

An outbreak of shingles usually follows the following course:

• Blisters and pimples appear on your skin and cause pain.
• A crust forms over the blisters and pimples.
• In 2 to 4 weeks, the blisters and pimples heal. They rarely come back.
• Pain from shingles lasts for 2 to 4 weeks. You may have tingling or a pins-and-needles feeling, itching, burning, and a deep pain. Your skin may be very painful when it is touched.
• You may have a fever.
• You may have short-term weakness of certain muscles. This is rarely long term.

To treat shingles, your health care provider may prescribe:

• A medicine called an antiviral to fight the virus
• A medicine called a corticosteroid, such as prednisone
• Medicines to treat your pain

You may have postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) pain. This is pain that lasts longer than a month after symptoms of shingles start.

To relieve itching and discomfort, try:

• A cool, wet compresses on the affected skin
• Soothing baths and lotions, such as colloidal oatmeal bath, starch baths, or calamine lotion
• Zostrix, a cream that contains capsaicin (an extract of pepper)
• Antihistamines to reduce itching (taken by mouth or applied to the skin)

Keep your skin clean. Throw away bandages you use to cover your skin sores. Throw away or wash in hot water clothing that has contact with your skin sores. Wash your sheets and towels in hot water.

While your skin sores are still open and oozing, avoid all contact with anyone who has never had chickenpox, especially pregnant women.

Rest in bed until your fever goes down.

For pain, you can take a type of medicine called NSAIDs. You do not need a prescription for NSAIDs.

• Examples of NSAIDs are ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) and naproxen (such as Aleve or Naprosyn).
• If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or have had stomach ulcers or bleeding, talk with your provider before using these medicines.

You may also take acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) for pain relief. If you have liver disease, talk with your provider before using it.

You may be given a narcotic pain reliever. Take it only as directed. These medicines can:

• Make you sleepy and confused. When you are taking a narcotic, do not drink alcohol or use heavy machinery.
• Make your skin feel itchy.
• Cause constipation (not being able to have a bowel movement easily). Try to drink more fluids, eat high-fiber foods, or use stool softeners.
• Make you feel sick to your stomach. Try taking the medicine with food.

Call your provider if:

• You get a rash that looks or feels like shingles
• Your shingles pain is not well-managed
• Your pain symptoms do not go away after 3 to 4 weeks

Herpes zoster – treatment

Dinulos JGH. Warts, herpes simplex, and other viral infections. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif’s Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide in Diagnosis and Therapy. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 12.

Whitley RJ. Chickenpox and herpes zoster (varicella-zoster virus). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 136.

Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Browse the Encyclopedia

Shingles Treatment, Medication, and Prevention: Pain Relief, Antiviral

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• Antiviral Medications for Shingles
• Painkillers for Shingles
• Other Medications for Shingles
• Alternative Treatments for Shingles?
• Self-Care for Shingles
• Can I Prevent Shingles?
• Who Shouldn’t Get the Shingles Vaccine?
• More

The virus that causes chickenpox also causes shingles. It’s called varicella zoster. It can lie quietly in your nerves for decades after causing chickenpox but suddenly wake up and become active.

The main symptom of shingles is a painful rash that comes up on one side of your body or face. See your doctor as soon as you can if you think you might have this condition.

Your doctor may want to put you on medications to control your infection and speed up healing, cut inflammation, and ease your pain. They include:

These medicines may slow down the progress of the shingles rash, especially if you take them within the first 72 hours of having symptoms.

They can also lower your chance of having complications. Your doctor may prescribe:

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

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about side effects to watch for if you take one of these drugs.

Shingles causesinflammation and pain. Your doctor can suggest over-the-counter medicines to relieve milder discomfort. They include:

• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen

These may also help you stave off postherpetic neuralgia, which is a burning pain that some people get after the rash and blisters of shingles go away.

If you have severe pain after the rash clears or an infection during your shingles outbreak, your doctor might prescribe:

Capsaicin cream: Be careful not to get it in your eyes.

A numbing medicine: You might get lidocaine (Lidoderm, Xylocaine) for pain. It can come in a variety of forms, such as creams, lotions, patches, powders, and sprays, among others.

Antibiotics: You might need these medicines if bacteria infect your skin and rash. But if bacteria aren’t involved, then antibiotics won’t help.

Tricyclic antidepressants: These medications might help ease the pain that lingers after your skin has healed, such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), and nortriptyline (Pamelor). They may also help you with depression, if you have that in addition to shingles. Your doctor can tell you what the risks and benefits are.

Some studies show that various alternative treatments, from acupuncture to supplements, can offer relief. The research isn’t complete, but some show promise. Check with your doctor before you try any of these: 

TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). This therapy uses tiny electrical pulses to relieve pain. A TENS unit is about the size of a smartphone and comes with small patches called electrodes. You put them over the painful area and turn the unit on and off as your pain comes and goes. 

Traditional Chinese medicine. These treatments aim to restore balance in your body. They include acupuncture, the ancient practice of inserting very thin needles into your skin at specific points. Also, moxibustion and cupping, two types of heat therapy, are supposed to draw out toxins. These treatments may be done in combination.

Creams and other skin treatments. A mixture of liquid dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and idoxuridine, an antiviral drug, may reduce swelling and the number of blisters you have when you put it on your rash. And chlorophyll, the chemical that gives plants their green color, is also used directly on the rash as a cream or saline solution. 

Supplements. You’ll find a long list of herbs, pills, and oils that claim to relieve shingles. Most have no research to back them up, but there are a couple of exceptions. Papain, a protein found in papayas, is sold in capsules. And manuka and clover honeys can be put directly on your skin. Very early studies on both show they might be helpful. 

There aren’t home remedies for shingles. But there are things you can do to help your skin heal.

Keep the affected area clean, dry, and exposed to air as much as possible.

The itching can be maddening at times, but try not to scratch or burst the blisters.

Soothe the rash. Your top priority is to find relief for the pain and itching that the rash causes. You might try:

1. Oatmeal baths. Dip into a cool tub of water. For extra relief, add colloidal oatmeal, which is made of oats that have been ground to a very fine powder. This soothing bath may help calm your itching.

2. Cold compresses. Run a washcloth under cool water and place it on your blisters for about 20 minutes at a time. Not only can this relieve itching, it also keeps your blisters clean. That can help you avoid a skin infection. If your blisters aren’t oozing anymore, stop using cold compresses. And if you are using any creams or patches on your rash, don’t use compresses at the same time.

3. Loose clothing. You’ll likely find that relaxed fits made from natural fibers, such as cotton or linen, give you more comfort. If you need to cover your blisters, avoid bandages that might stick to your rash.

4. Calamine lotion. Treat your skin with this smooth, cool, and soothing balm.  

Treat your body and mind. You can get worn down mentally when you’re in constant pain. Stress can make it seem even worse. Self-care starts with treating your rash, but don’t stop there. Your mind and emotional state need to be cared for as well. 

Stick with good habits: Your body is working hard to fight the varicella zoster virus that causes shingles. To give it the right support, you can:

• Eat nutritious food and have regular meals. Ask someone to make a run to the grocery store for fresh fruit and such if you’re not up for it.
• Try to get a good night’s sleep and rest anytime you need to.
• Do gentle exercises, such as walking or stretching. Light activity can help take your mind off the pain. Keep it simple though, and check with your doctor if you’re trying something new.

Distract yourself. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is to put your focus elsewhere. Here are a few things to try:

• Call a friend.
• Listen to music that relaxes you.
• Read a book.
• Watch a favorite movie.
• Work on hobbies you enjoy.

Keep calm. Relaxation can be a big help. With a calmer mind, you can better handle your discomfort. You may want to try:

• Meditation
• Tai chi
• Walking (but keep your blisters covered)
• Yoga

Experiment with these strategies as you get through your shingles outbreak. Different things can help depending on how severe your symptoms are and how you feel from day to day.

There are two shingles vaccines. Shingrix is the recommended vaccine. Zostavax is no longer avilable in the U.S.

Who should get it: The CDC recommends that you get this vaccine if you’re a healthy adult age 50 or older, whether or not you remember having had chickenpox, because most people have been exposed to the virus. If you have had the Zostavax vaccine, you can also get Shingrix.

How many shots do you need? You would need two shots for Shingrix: One at first, with a follow-up in 2 to 6 months.

What it does: Shingrix reduces your chance of getting shingles by more than 90%. Even if you still get shingles, the vaccine may help it be less painful.

I never had chickenpox. Do I still need the shingles vaccine? Yes, you do. Shingrix is recommended for everyone age 50 or older, whether or not you remember having had chickenpox.

If I’ve had shingles, can I still get the vaccine? Yes. It may help prevent another bout of shingles later on. If you have shingles right now, you should wait until the rash is gone before you get vaccinated.

What are the side effects? The most common side effects with Shingrix include pain and swelling where the needle went in you skin, muscle pain, tiredness, headache, chills, fever, and stomach troubles. With any vaccine, there is a chance of a severe allergic reaction. 

Don’t get the Shingrix vaccine if:

• You’re allergic to any of the ingredients.
• You’re pregnant or nursing.
• You have tested negative for immunity to the chickenpox virus. Ask your doctor about the chickenpox vaccine instead.
• You have shingles now.

Top Picks

Rosacea ointments: effective and proven remedies

Treatment of rosacea with ointments – is it necessary? Together with an expert, we have prepared tips and recommendations for the prevention and treatment of pityriasis rosea.

Maria Grishchenko

Deputy Chief Physician for Medical Affairs of the “Maria Popova Clinic”

Description of Gibert’s disease

Causes of pityriasis rosea

Characteristic symptoms

Peculiarities of treatment of pityriasis rosea

Effective ointments for the treatment of

Ointments for pityriasis rosea in a child

During pregnancy

Summary information on the treatment of pityriasis rosea with
ointment

Description of Gibert’s disease

Gibert’s disease – this is a disease that occurs against the background of hypothermia, after illnesses, a decrease in immunity, a maternal plaque develops. Against the background of a normal skin color, a spot appears, redness with peeling. a few days of maternal plaque, then around it all over the body or on a limited area of ​​​​the skin, small child rashes may appear. The disease is not contagious in any way, most often it does not bother at all, there is no itching, nothing. If there are complaints, then we prescribe antihistamine and external hormonal ointments. There is no seasonality for this disease. It has to do with human immunity. But it is worth noting that now cases of the disease have become more common. I think this is due to the modern lifestyle, frequent nervous breakdowns, stress, poor immunity.

Causes of pityriasis rosea

The most important thing is a weak immune system. After illness, hypothermia, stress and so on. But dermatologists always do an analysis for syphilis to rule it out. It is difficult to confuse Gibert’s disease, it is always classic. But if there are suspicions, for example, of a fungal infection, then we prescribe additional tests, scrapings.

Characteristic symptoms

The most important thing, as I said, is the presence of a maternal plaque on the skin, then a rash around it. Most often, in terms of complaints, it proceeds without any symptoms at all, but there may be itching. Especially after water procedures, rashes may intensify.

Peculiarities of the treatment of lichen rosea

First: restriction of water procedures. If there is itching, then these are any antihistamines and external use for 5-7 days with any hormonal ointment.

Effective ointments for treatment

In general, pink lichen clears up on its own in a few weeks – without any ointments. The main thing is not to irritate the skin. But there are some ointments that will help relieve itching and other symptoms. You can find a lot of recommendations on the Internet. Let’s try to figure out which of the ointments are really suitable.

Akriderm

I would not recommend this ointment. The fact is that there is a combined composition. Yes, there is a hormone for the treatment of Zhiber’s disease, but at the same time, there are also antibiotics in the composition. It is better to use purely hormonal ointments.

Aciclovir

This ointment is not the right place at all. Acquilovir is an antiviral drug. In this case, it will have no effect at all.

Gistan

This ointment can be used. The drug without unnecessary components. This ointment has an anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effect. Suitable for this disease. In principle, the price is also not so high.

Clotrimazole

Clotrimazole is not suitable for Gibert’s disease. This is an antifungal drug.

Lorinden

This drug can be used. It is also hormonal. Like other hormonal topical ointments, it relieves swelling, itching, redness, and soothes the skin.

Oletetrin ointment

Firstly, this drug is now rarely used at all, and secondly: in our case, again, it is not suitable, because it is not a hormonal ointment, but an antibiotic.

Prednisolone ointment

The most suitable agent. A good hormonal ointment, cheap and cheerful, as they say. Proven reliable remedy for redness, inflammation, itching.

Salicylic ointment

Not recommended. This drug will dry the skin very much, which is absolutely not recommended for irritation. This ointment is more antibacterial, and with Zhiber’s disease, the skin dries anyway, it is not worth aggravating.

Sinalar

This preparation can be used. It also relieves itching, redness, softens the skin. It can be used for most skin conditions.

Uniderm

Can be used. The composition is similar to the previous ointment, and the effect will be similar.

Flucinar

The drug is suitable for this disease. It is prescribed for diseases of the skin. Also hormonal ointment, anti-allergic. Relieves itching and redness.

Zinc ointment

Zinc ointment for Gibert’s disease should not be used because of the strong effect of drying the skin. This can only make the situation worse.

Important to understand!

Any hormonal drug should be used only as prescribed by a doctor. You have to be extremely careful with them. Due to prolonged use, skin atrophy can be caused. Hormone is not as simple as we would like. In fact, any drugs other than vitamins should be taken as prescribed by a doctor. Any self-medication can only aggravate the situation.

Ointments for rosacea in a child

In fact, the same ointments are suitable for the treatment of Gibert’s disease for children as for the treatment of an adult. But be sure to consider at what age you can use the ointment. And for this you need, firstly, a doctor’s appointment, and secondly, reading the instructions.

During pregnancy

During pregnancy, ointments can be used, but again very carefully. The doctor must make his own decision. But it is worth noting that pink lichen is extremely rare in pregnant women.

Summary of treatment of lichen rosea with ointment

Rose versicolor or Gibert’s disease is actually a harmless disease that proceeds easily and quickly without any unpleasant symptoms for the body. Most often it is expressed only as an external spot. But one way or another, it can cause discomfort to someone. Prevention of pink lichen is as simple as possible: a healthy lifestyle, maintaining immunity, vitamins, proper nutrition, regular walks. For prevention, you should also try to avoid hypothermia and stressful conditions.

Unfortunately, medical advice from the Internet is not always coordinated with a specialist. Therefore, no one canceled the consultation of a doctor. Why you should not always trust medical forums and how to get information about health from a specialist without queues in clinics online, read in our material.

Author: Alexey Kravchenko

Different color lichen: licks, yaks prescribe for licking

Faces, which are used for jubilation:

Item: 38

Sorting:
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Type:

Biphonal
Items: 1
Analogue: 4

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9 0180 Go to box

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Lamisil
Items: 3
Analogue: 17

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Lamicon
Items: 4
Analogue: 16

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Lamifen
Items: 2
Analogue: 18

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Mycofin
Items: 3
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Futsis
Items: 8
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901 36 Go to bowl

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Ecodax
Items: No
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Mikogal
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Mikomax
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Terbizil
Items: No
Analogues: 20

Terbinox
Items: No
Analogue: no

Editorial group

Creation date: 04/27/2021
Update date: 06/10/2023

Riznobarvniy lichen – mycosis of the upper armpits, ailment, late attack of the upper balls of the upper arms, hair cuticle and nails, which does not represent a problem for health, but reduces the quality of life of a person.

Zagalni vіdomosti

Riznobarvny lichen, which can also be called visivkovyj є fungal infections. In the case of a guilty disease, the ailments of the shkir are manifested, which do not bring severe discomfort and are not contagious. They blame the problems of the aesthetic character, even if they clearly see the patches from the skin, which are unacceptable at a glance.

Causes of lichen lichen

lichen lichen caused by disease of the mucosal-intestinal tract (mucosal-intestinal tract), functional impairment of the central and autonomic nervous system. Also, lichen versicolor appears as a side effect when taking oral contraceptives. Also, excessive drinking and the middle of a mystic infection can be the cause of this illness. A fungus, which is a wake-up call, is already on the skin of people. Vin is activated through hormonal fluctuations in the body. Dane’s illness is mostly blamed on people older than seven and younger than forty. Zagostrennya is warm, often in the summer months.