Treatments For Shingles
Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by a virus. It is the same virus that causes the chicken pox. It is a different situations from the normal herpes virus that most people consider it linked to. Shingles usually appears as a cluster, band or strip on one side of a person's face or body. It appears as a rash and transforms into blisters that eventually become pus-filled and open.
Statistically, one in every three people will contract shingles at some point in their lifetime.
Shingles occurs when the same virus that caused chickenpox starts up in a person's body. Shingles most commonly affects older adults or those with already weakened immune systems, which is where complications can often arise. While most who get shingles never get it again, it is possible to contract shingles more than once. Shingles can last anywhere from two to six weeks on average.
Symptoms may include:
- fever & chills
- malaise
- nausea
- body aches
- swollen lymph glands
- and, most commonly, a rash
There is no cure for shingles, but there are several options for treatment to help prevent any complications. Shingles is contagious, by direct contact with the fluid from a blister.
Doctors will often use the following as treatment options:
- antivirual medication - to help reduce any pain as well as cut down on the duration of infection
- over-the-counter medication - to help with pain
- topical antibiotics - to stop infection with blisters
Many doctors will also suggest a number of helpful "at home" hints to combat symptoms and side effects of shingles:
- cool water compresses applied to blisters to help soothe/dry
- lukewarm baths mixed with cornstarch
- baking soda or cornstarch mixed with water to make a paste to apply to blisters
It is also suggested that adding certain foods to a person's diet can help to speed up the healing process. These foods include:
- orange & yellow fruit
- red meat
- eggs
- chicken
- dairy
- beans
- tomatoes
- spinach
- whole grains
Top 5 Routes for "Treatments For Shingles"
- Everyday Health This website offers a list of popular go-to medications for treating shingles. It also offers suggestions for many "at home" remedies that numerous doctors will suggest trying.
- Health Line This website offers several natural treatments outside of chemical medications. It discusses, in detail, what type of diet can help when infected with shingles and offers a list of what foods should be avoided as well.
- EMedicine Health This website lists various medications and how they each specifically are able to help when it comes to the treatment of shingles.
- Mayo Clinic This website offers a widespread informational article on shingles. It goes into depth on what exactly shingles is, how it is contracted and can be spread, and how to keep it from getting worse than it starts out.
- WebMD This website offers a lengthy article on shingles and how it is contracted and goes into detail on treatment options, in both medicinal and natural form.
Similar Routes
- Symptoms Of ADHD In Adults
- Eczema Causes
- Bulging Disc Symptoms
- Inflammatory Arthritis
- Pneumonia Symptoms
What is a Route?
A route is a gateway to learning. Routes.com's mission is to go beyond search results by curating summaries and top "routes" for today's most popular subjects. Learn More
Suggest a Route
Are we missing a subject you think should be given a route? Suggest a new route. Learn More
Contribute
Become a routes.com contributor. Submit your route today! Learn More
Other Routes Like This
Inflammatory Arthritis
Inflammatory arthritis is a set of diseases characterized by the inflammation of joints and other tissues. The diseases include psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, among others. Most inflammatory types of arthritis are autoimmune conditions. What does this mean? In an autoimmune disease, the body's immune system turns against itself even though it's designed to protect the body. Studies show that genetics play an essential role in many forms. However, it is also suggested that genes alone don't determine the person who gets the disease since other...
Symptoms Of ADHD In Adults
Many people believe that ADHD is only found in children or that a person with ADHD is unable to keep track of a simple conversation because they are so easily distracted. These beliefs are false and can cause people with ADHD to avoid seeking help. There are many resources available to help adults determine if they may have ADHD and to help them find treatment. ADHD is a complex condition and can present itself in three different diagnosable forms: Inattentive Individuals with this type of ADHD have difficulty with tasks that require long periods of focus. They may be easily distracted and appear as though they are not listening. Hyperactive-Impulsive...
Asthma Symptoms
Asthma is a type of chronic respiratory condition that affects a large number of human beings all around the planet. It involves the expansion and constriction of the airways. It involves the manufacturing of excessive amounts of mucus as well. People who suffer from this medical condition often experience trouble breathing. People who have asthma frequently experience many other types of difficulties as well. These difficulties range from shortness of breath episodes to uncontrollable wheezing fits. The answer to the cause of asthma is as yet uncertain. People believe; however, that hereditary and environmental components may be at play. There...