Shingles
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chicken pox. Unlike chicken pox, shingles is not contagious, but lies dormant in your body after you have chicken pox. Characterized by an itchy, painful rash that forms blisters on one side of the body, shingles can cause severe complications, such as changes in vision and hearing, or pain lasting up to several years after the shingles rash is gone. Most people that have shingles have compromised immunity, or are over the age of 50, although 20% of the population will develop shingles at some point in their lives. Certain antiviral medications can slow down the virus and offer pain relief, although no cure exists for shingles. If you are over 60 years old, talk to your doctor about the possibility of being vaccinated for shingles.
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- Q What should I know about using sunscreen if I have shingles?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyShingles usually causes a painful blistering rash, so you need to take extra care with sun exposure. Heat or sun exposure may aggravate the rash, so you may want to stay out of the sun and try cool compresses to give you some relief. Your doctor... Full Answer
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- Q Why is shingles so painful?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyShingles is caused by a virus called varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that sets up housekeeping in certain nerve cells. These nerve cells, or neurons, send messages -- including pain signals -- to the brain. VZV also causes chickenpox. Most people... Full Answer
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- Q Does stress trigger shingles?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologySome experts believe that chronic psychological stress may increase the risk for developing shingles. Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a medical condition that can cause painful eruptions of blisters on the skin. Studies have not... Full Answer
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- Q Can infection with VZV during pregnancy harm the baby?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyWhen a woman becomes infected with the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) during pregnancy, there may be some risk to her baby. However, the risk is small. VZV can cause chickenpox. In rare cases, a pregnant woman who becomes infected with VZV and... Full Answer
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- Q How does shingles affect the body?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyShingles can cause changes to your body that are mild and annoying or serious and debilitating. The first symptoms of shingles are usually tingling pain, a burning sensation, or itching. These symptoms can affect any part of the body, but... Full Answer
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- Q Should I talk to my doctor about my shingles symptoms?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyIf you think you might have shingles, see a doctor immediately. Antiviral medications that doctors use to treat shingles are most effective if you take them within three days of the first appearance of a shingles rash. These medications can... Full Answer
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- Q How long does shingles usually last?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyA case of shingles can last for up to a few weeks or more. The early symptoms include pain, itching, tingling, or a burning sensation at one location on the body, such as one side of the waist or face. A few days after these symptoms begin, the... Full Answer
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- Q If I've already had shingles, can I get it again?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyThe risk of developing shingles a second time is low, but it can happen. Studies show that fewer than 4% of people who develop shingles (also known as herpes zoster) will have another bout of this painful condition in their lifetime. If you do... Full Answer
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- Q Where on the body does the shingles rash develop?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyA shingles rash can develop anywhere on the body. However, the skin blisters caused by shingles are most likely to occur in two places: On one side of the waistline. The blisters form a band that's called a dermatome. On one side of the... Full Answer
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- Q Is shingles related to herpes?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyShingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). This virus belongs to a larger group known as herpes viruses. The term herpes is often used informally to refer to herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV causes sores around the mouth and in the... Full Answer
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