Washing shingles rash: Shingles and Skin Care: 8 Tips for Managing
Shingles and Skin Care: 8 Tips for Managing
A prescription antiviral along with home care may help relieve pain associated with the shingles rash. This can include topical products and proper bandaging.
Remember that childhood bout of chickenpox that caused itching, burning, and a painful rash all over your body? If you’re experiencing similar symptoms as an adult, you may be dealing with shingles.
Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you recover from chickenpox as a child or teen, the virus lies dormant in your nerve cells.
For many people, it never makes a repeat appearance. But for about 1 in 3 adults in the United States, the virus reactivates and causes shingles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
While most cases are in people over 50, shingles can occur before age 40, but the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) says this is rare.
Shingles rashes typically last between 2 and 4 weeks. And while it’s not life threatening, the virus can trigger a painful rash that causes a lot of discomfort. The good news, though, is that you can do things to take care of your skin and reduce pain while the rash heals.
Make an appointment to see your primary care physician and a dermatologist at the first sign of shingles, ideally within 2 to 3 days of getting the rash. They can assess the severity and prescribe an antiviral, if necessary.
You’ll likely notice these signs a few days before a rash appears:
- pain
- burning
- tingling
According to the AAD, starting an antiviral within 72 hours of the first symptoms can:
- reduce symptoms
- decrease the amount of time you have shingles
- lower the risk of complications
One of the best things you can do after making an appointment to see your doctor is to start caring for the rash at home until it clears.
In general, the blister-like rash will scab about 7 to 10 days after it appears. It typically takes between 2 and 4 weeks to go away entirely, according to the AAD.
During this healing period, follow these steps each day:
- Gently wash the affected area with a fragrance-free cleanser.
- Let it dry.
- Apply petroleum jelly (optional).
- Apply a sterile bandage or nonstick gauze.
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
To help ease pain and itching, do the following as needed:
- Apply a cool compress for a few minutes.
- Soak in a soothing bath.
- Use calamine lotion, but only after the blisters have scabbed over.
It might be tempting to scratch or pick at the blisters, especially if they’re causing you discomfort. Know that they’ll eventually crust over and fall off if you leave them alone.
Scratching at blisters or scabs can lead to infection and scarring. Cleaning and covering them regularly with a new sterile bandage can help reduce the likelihood that you’ll pick at the rash.
Keeping the rash clean is one part of the process. The other is to make sure you bandage it properly, especially if the rash is still weeping (oozing).
When dealing with a painful shingles rash, your best bet is to use bandages that are:
- loose
- nonstick
- sterile
When you’re switching the dressing, allow the skin to dry before covering it with a new bandage.
In addition to keeping the rash protected, bandaging also prevents you from passing the varicella-zoster virus to another person. Be sure to keep bandages on any areas of the rash that haven’t scabbed over yet.
While shingles isn’t contagious, the virus that causes it can be passed to anyone who hasn’t had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine. If they come into skin-to-skin contact with the fluid that oozes from a shingles blister, they could end up with chickenpox, according to National Institute on Aging.
Shingles can be very painful. If you need help managing pain, your doctor might prescribe a topical pain-relieving cream or patch.
These contain lidocaine (Lidoderm, Xylocaine) or other nerve block medication for the skin.
A medicated anti-itch cream that includes an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), might also help you find some relief.
After the rash has scabbed over, you can try using creams or lotions to soothe any remaining symptoms. Look for products that contain:
- aloe vera
- calamine
- capsaicin
- colloidal oatmeal
Your doctor may also recommend an oral over-the-counter pain reliever such as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Always follow the dosage instructions on the label or take according to your doctor’s instructions.
You don’t need expensive skin care products to relieve itchiness and pain. When a rash is active, reach for a few household products instead. For example, a paste made with baking soda and cornstarch applied directly on the rash can provide some much-needed relief.
Plus, this DIY treatment helps dry the sores out, so they may heal faster.
Use equal parts of cornstarch and baking soda mixed with water. Add just enough water to make a thick paste when mixing the ingredients. You don’t want it to be runny. Let the paste sit on the rash for several minutes until it’s dry, then rinse it off gently with water.
Using the right water temperature while bathing or showering can make a big difference in how your skin feels and heals. Ideally, you should bathe with cool or lukewarm water and avoid very hot water.
You can also apply a cool, wet compress to the rash and blisters. The AAD recommends you soak a clean washcloth in cold water and place the cloth on top of the affected area several times a day. Leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes.
You should avoid rubbing washcloths, sponges, or exfoliants on the area.
You can also add colloidal oatmeal or cornstarch to your baths to provide some much-needed itch relief. Just be sure to dry your skin gently after getting out of the bath. Then, follow up with a layer of calamine lotion to soothe your skin, or keep it dry and cover with a bandage if it’s still weeping.
Wearing loose-fitting, natural fiber clothing like cotton is critical while a shingles rash is healing. Clothing that’s too tight can rub up against the rash and irritate it if it’s not bandaged.
Since shingles rashes generally appear on your torso, you may only need to choose loose-fitting shirts, sweatshirts, or tops. Even while bandaged, wearing looser shirts can reduce irritation on the skin.
If you need to wear a mask and you have a shingles rash on your face or neck, consider bandaging the area under the mask until the blisters are fully healed.
If the shingles rash is affecting the skin around your eyes or the tip of your nose, you should immediately make an appointment to see an ophthalmologist. If you cannot see one, see a dermatologist or go to the emergency department for immediate treatment.
Caring for your skin is a critical step when dealing with shingles. Once you’ve talked with your doctor or another healthcare professional, establish a daily routine to clean, soothe, and bandage any blisters or rashes.
If you keep a rash uncovered, be sure to wear loose clothing and avoid close contact with anyone who hasn’t had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine.
And most importantly, be kind to yourself during the healing process. Shingles rashes are painful and take a few weeks to go away. If you have any questions about treatments or your symptoms seem to be worsening, talk with a healthcare professional.
Shingles: Tips for managing
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Askorutin: instruction, price, analogues | tablets Kiev Vitamin Plant
- Pharmacological properties
- Indications Askorutin
- Application of Askorutin
- Contraindications
- Side effects
- Special instructions
- Interactions
- Overdose
- Storage conditions
- Diagnosis
- Recommended alternatives
- Trade names
pharmacodynamics . Combined drug, the action of which is due to the effects of the components that make up its composition.
Rutin (vitamin P) promotes the conversion of ascorbic acid into dehydroascorbic acid and prevents further transformation of the latter into diketogulonic acid.
Therefore, most of the effects of rutin are mediated by ascorbic acid.
Rutin in combination with ascorbic acid reduces capillary permeability and fragility (including due to inhibition of hyaluronidase activity), strengthens the vascular wall, reduces platelet aggregation, has an anti-inflammatory effect, antioxidant properties, takes part in redox processes.
In addition, the routine has such effects as a decrease in the exudation of the liquid part of the blood plasma and diapedesis of blood cells through the vascular wall; choleretic and mild antihypertensive effects.
In patients with chronic venous insufficiency, rutin leads to a decrease in edematous and pain syndromes, trophic disorders, a decrease or disappearance of paresthesias and convulsions. It helps to reduce the severity of side effects of radiation therapy (cystitis, enteroproctitis, dysphagia, skin erythema), and also slows down the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
Pharmacokinetics .
Each vitamin that is part of the drug undergoes its own transformations. Ascorbic acid is rapidly absorbed mainly in the duodenum and small intestine. 30 minutes after application, the content of ascorbic acid in the blood increases markedly, its uptake by tissues begins, while it first turns into dehydroascorbic acid, which penetrates cell membranes without energy costs and is quickly restored in the cell. Ascorbic acid is contained in tissues almost exclusively intracellularly, it is determined in three forms – ascorbic, dehydroascorbic acids and ascorbigen (bound ascorbic acid). Distributed unevenly between organs. A large amount of it is found in the endocrine glands, especially in the adrenal glands, less in the brain, kidneys, liver, cardiac and skeletal muscles. The content of ascorbic acid in leukocytes and platelets is higher than in blood plasma. It is metabolized and excreted up to 90% by the kidneys in the form of oxalate, partially – in the free form.
Rutin, being absorbed in the digestive tract, promotes the transport and deposition of ascorbate.
It is excreted unchanged, mainly with bile and, to a lesser extent, with urine.
T ½ is 10-25 hours.
deficiency of rutin and ascorbic acid. As part of the complex therapy of diseases accompanied by an increase in vascular permeability. Prevention of SARS and reduction of the severity of influenza symptoms. To improve immunity.
the drug is administered orally after meals. The tablets should be swallowed whole with a small amount of water.
For therapeutic purposes administer to adults 1 tablet 2-3 times a day; children over the age of 3 years – 1 tablet 2 times a day.
As prophylactic , it is recommended to use: for adults – 1 tablet 2 times a day, for children over 3 years old – 1 tablet 1 time per day.
The duration of the course of treatment is 3-4 weeks, depending on the nature of the disease and the effectiveness of the treatment.
hypersensitivity to drug components. Increased blood clotting, thrombophlebitis, tendency to thrombosis, diabetes mellitus, gout, urolithiasis with the formation of urate stones, cystinuria, hypokalemia and hypercalcemia, oxalaturia, severe kidney disease, simultaneous use with sulfonamides or aminoglycosides.
from the side of the nervous system : with prolonged use in high doses – headache, fatigue, sleep disturbance, increased excitability of the central nervous system.
From the side of the kidneys and urinary system : acidification of urine, hyperoxaluria in patients at risk at doses exceeding 1 g / day; with prolonged use in high doses – damage to the glomerular apparatus of the kidneys, the formation of urate and oxalate stones in the urinary tract, renal failure. Doses of ascorbic acid >600 mg/day have a diuretic effect.
On the part of the blood system : with prolonged use in high doses – thrombocytosis, hyperprothrombinemia, thrombosis, erythrocytopenia, neutrophilic leukocytosis, hemolytic anemia in some individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
From the side of metabolism : with prolonged use in high doses – hypervitaminosis C, deterioration of tissue trophism, inhibition of the function of the insular apparatus of the pancreas (hyperglycemia, glucosuria) and glycogen synthesis, sodium and fluid retention, impaired zinc and copper metabolism.
From the side of the cardiovascular system : sensation of heat, with prolonged use in high doses – myocardial dystrophy, increased blood pressure, the development of microangiopathies.
From the gastrointestinal tract : with prolonged use in high doses – irritation of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, heartburn, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, at doses> 1 g / day – diarrhea.
From the side of the immune system : hypersensitivity reactions, including skin flushing, skin rash, eczema, pruritus, Quincke’s edema, urticaria, anaphylactic shock, respiratory hypersensitivity reactions.
simultaneous use of the drug with alkaline drink, fresh fruit or vegetable juices reduces the absorption of vitamin C. The absorption of ascorbic acid may be impaired in intestinal dyskinesias, enteritis and achilia.
Because ascorbic acid increases iron absorption, high doses of ascorbic acid can be dangerous in patients with hemochromatosis, thalassemia, polycythemia, leukemia, and sideroblastic anemia.
Patients with a high iron content in the body should use the drug in minimal doses.
Ascorbic acid should be used with caution in the treatment of patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, patients with a history of kidney disease.
With prolonged use of high doses of ascorbic acid, kidney function, blood pressure, and pancreatic function should be monitored.
In case of urolithiasis, the daily dose of ascorbic acid should not exceed 1 g. High doses of the drug should not be prescribed to patients with increased blood clotting.
Since ascorbic acid has a slight stimulating effect, it is not recommended to use the drug at the end of the day.
Due to the content of ascorbic acid in the medicinal product, the results of some laboratory tests may change (see INTERACTIONS).
Use during pregnancy and lactation . During pregnancy, the drug should be used only after consulting a doctor. The drug is contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy.
In the II-III trimester of pregnancy or during lactation, the drug should be prescribed taking into account the benefit / risk ratio for the woman and the fetus / child, subject to strict adherence to the recommended doses and duration of treatment.
Based on the available data on the use of rutin and vitamin C in the form of separate drugs in pregnant women, no significant risks to the fetus have been identified. However, adequate and well-controlled clinical studies of the safety of combination medicinal products containing vitamin C and rutin have not been conducted in pregnant women.
There are no reports of rutin embryotoxicity or passage into breast milk.
Vitamin C is excreted in breast milk, however, doses even 10 times the recommended daily dose do not lead to a significant increase in its concentration in breast milk.
Children . The drug is used in children over the age of 3 years.
The ability to influence the reaction rate when driving vehicles or working with other mechanisms .
There is no data on the ability of the drug to influence the reaction rate when driving vehicles or working with other mechanisms.
absorption of the drug is reduced when used simultaneously with acetylsalicylic acid, oral contraceptives, alkaline drinks, fresh fruit or vegetable juices. Ascorbic acid at a dose of ≥1 g increases the bioavailability of oral contraceptives (estrogens, including ethinyl estradiol), increases the concentration of salicylates in the blood, increasing their side effects (risk of crystalluria, effect on the gastric mucosa).
Acetylsalicylic acid, barbiturates, tetracyclines : increased urinary excretion of ascorbic acid.
Penicillin (including benzylpenicillin), tetracycline, iron preparations: high doses of ascorbic acid may increase their absorption and blood concentration.
Deferoxamine : with the simultaneous use of vitamin C and deferoxamine, the absorption of iron increases, its excretion in the urine; tissue toxicity of iron increases, especially cardiotoxicity, which can lead to decompensation of the circulatory system.
Impaired cardiac function (usually reversible after vitamin C withdrawal) has been reported in patients with idiopathic hemochromatosis and thalassemia treated with deferoxamine and high doses of ascorbic acid (>500 mg/day). Such a combination in this category of patients requires caution and careful monitoring of cardiac function. Ascorbic acid can be used only 2 hours after the injection of deferoxamine.
Heparin, indirect anticoagulants, phenothiazines, fluphenazine, sulfanilamide drugs, aminoglycoside antibiotics: decrease in the effectiveness of these drugs.
Cyclosporine A : may decrease its bioavailability.
When used simultaneously with B vitamins , mutual enhancement of the therapeutic effect is noted. High doses of ascorbic acid affect the resorption of vitamin B 12 .
With the use of high doses of ascorbic acid, the T ½ of corticosteroids and paracetamol increases (this interaction does not have clinical consequences when using therapeutic doses).
Calcitonin : increases the rate of absorption of ascorbic acid.
With the use of high doses of ascorbic acid, renal excretion of amphetamine increases.
Aluminum antacids : be aware that ascorbic acid promotes aluminum absorption from the intestines; an increase in the elimination of aluminum in the urine is possible. The combined use of antacids and ascorbic acid is not recommended, especially for patients with renal insufficiency.
For long-term use (>4 weeks), the drug should not be administered simultaneously with cardiac glycosides, antihypertensive agents or NSAIDs as it may increase their effect.
Ascorbic acid increases the urinary excretion of oxalates, thus increasing the risk of urinary oxalate stones.
The combined use of very high doses of ascorbic acid with amygdalin (complementary medicine) may increase the risk of cyanide toxicity.
Smoking, alcohol : reduce the concentration of ascorbate in blood plasma.
Disulfiramine : long-term use of high doses of ascorbic acid inhibits the disulfiram-alcohol reaction.
Ascorbic acid at high doses (>2 g/day) may interfere with biochemical measurements of creatinine, uric acid, and glucose levels in blood and urine samples, as well as the determination of inorganic phosphate, liver enzymes, and blood bilirubin. A fecal occult blood screening test may be false negative.
symptoms : pain in the epigastric region, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, itching and skin rash, increased excitability of the nervous system, headache, increased blood pressure, thrombosis. An overdose can lead to changes in the renal excretion of ascorbic and uric acids during urine acetylation with the risk of precipitation of oxalate stones.
With prolonged use at very high doses, inhibition of the function of the insular apparatus of the pancreas, impaired renal function is possible.
Ascorbic acid at doses greater than 3 g/day may cause acidosis or hemolytic anemia in some individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
Treatment : gastric lavage, application of sorbents, symptomatic treatment.
at a temperature not exceeding 25 °C.
| Varicose veins of the lower extremities with ulcer and inflammation | ICD I83.2 |
| Chickenpox without complications | ICD B01.9 |
| Hormone therapy in gynecology | ICD N94.9 |
| Dysmenorrhea, unspecified (algodysmenorrhea) | ICD N94.6 |
| Other iron deficiency anemias | ICD D50.8 |
| Other acute sinusitis | ICD J01.8 |
| Catarrhal rhinitis | ICD J00 |
| Vitreous haemorrhage | ICD h53.1 |
| Epistaxis | ICD R04. |