The pain of associated with Shingles can be the most difficult aspect of dealing with Shingles. Treatment options for Shingles are prescription antiviral drugs to shorten the length of the infections. These medications are more effective if started within three days after the appearance of the rash. Prescription and over the counter anti-inflammatory and pain medications are used to decrease inflammation and help with the pain, antidepressants may also be used to assist with the pain. Other options used to promote healing and reduce pain are cool compresses on the lesions or cool baths twice a day. Calamine lotion can be used to relieve itching. Avoid heat and hot water as this increases itching. Avoid wearing tight fitting clothing and cover rash with loose gauze after cleansing. You may also want to trim your nails to prevent introducing bacteria when scratching.
Shingles Treatment
Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is a nerve inflammation caused by a reawakened chickenpox virus. (Once you've had chickenpox, the virus lurks, dormant, in your body). Treatment of the painful rash or blisters caused by shingles can include cold compresses, over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen or doctor-prescribed antiviral and steroidal medications. Experts recommend seeking treatment for shingles as soon as possible; its best to receive medication within the three days of the first shingles rash.
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Riverside Health System answeredSee All 2 AnswersSome cases of herpes zoster oticus do not require treatment. When treatment is needed, medications such as antiviral drugs or corticosteroids may be prescribed. Vertigo may be treated with the drug diazepam.
This answer is based on source information from National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
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Dr. Devi E. Nampiaparampil, MD , Pain Medicine, answeredSome over-the-counter medications are helpful with pain in general. These are acetaminophen (ex. Tylenol) and anti-inflammatory medications (ex. Advil, Aleve, ibuprofen, motrin). They do not specifically target shingles pain but they may be helpful. Some over-the-counter pain creams can also be helpful but it might hurt to put them on the shingles rash. The best thing is to see the doctor to ensure that shingles is really the cause of the problem and then to take medications that help speed up the resolution of the shingles and/or medications that help with nerve-related pain. Shingles is a condition where a virus (the chicken pox virus) attacks a specific nerve in the body. -
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Sheri Van Dijk , Psychiatry, answeredAny kind of pain we experience is made worse by our tendency to fight the pain. Acceptance of our experience - not saying we like it or approve of it, or that we don't want it to change, but simply acknowledging our reality - helps us to change our relationship to the pain and make it more bearable. For example, thinking about the pain of shingles and how awful it is and how it never seems to stop and wondering if it will ever get better...will only make the pain more unbearable. Saying to yourself "it is what it is" and then trying to distract yourself from the pain, will make it more tolerable.
And what do you distract yourself with? Preferably enjoyable activities. Call someone and ask them how their day is going rather than focusing on your pain and other problems; play with your dog; watch your favorite TV show or read a book that really engages you. And whenever you notice your attention wandering back to the pain you're experiencing, as best as you can, gently (without judgment), bring your attention back to the activity you're focusing on.
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Dr. Angela Lowery, DNP , Family Medicine, answered
The pain of associated with Shingles can be the most difficult aspect of dealing with Shingles. Treatment options for Shingles are prescription antiviral drugs to shorten the length of the infections. These medications are more effective if started within three days after the appearance of the rash. Prescription and over the counter anti-inflammatory and pain medications are used to decrease inflammation and help with the pain, antidepressants may also be used to assist with the pain. Other options used to promote healing and reduce pain are cool compresses on the lesions or cool baths twice a day. Calamine lotion can be used to relieve itching. Avoid heat and hot water as this increases itching. Avoid wearing tight fitting clothing and cover rash with loose gauze after cleansing. You may also want to trim your nails to prevent introducing bacteria when scratching.
While Shingles is not contagious, the rash that occurs with Shingles carries the same virus that causes chicken pox. It is a possibility a person that has not had chicken pox or has not been vaccinated against the virus, that causes chicken pox, can actually contract chicken pox from a shingles infected person.
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Topical lidocaine is an effective form of pain control for shingles and can be used either alone or in combination with oral agents which also help control pain. -
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Reston Hospital Center answeredSee All 2 AnswersThere is no cure for shingles, but there are treatments that can help. Antiviral medications may be recommended to treat shingles, especially for people with weakened immune systems. These drugs include acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir, and they can help speed up the healing process and reduce symptoms. These treatments must be started within three days of the first symptoms, though - otherwise, they're not very effective. Painkillers, both prescription and over-the-counter, may also be used to reduce the pain caused by shingles. Over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs may be used, but if they don't work, prescription narcotics, antidepressants, and numbing creams may be used to reduce the pain caused by shingles.
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Dr. Maoshing Ni, PhD, LAc , Geriatric Medicine, answeredShingles is caused by an outbreak of the herpes zoster virus. It is often accompanied by postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a severe pain condition that radiates from the affected nerve root to the area it innervates. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture, and herbal medicine cannot cure the herpes zoster virus. However, PHN has been successfully treated with internal herbal prescriptions and acupuncture. Depending on the condition and severity of the virus, it may take anywhere from 6 to 12 treatments at a rate of a treatment every other day. I suggest you consult a licensed practitioner to determine the proper course of action. -
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredShingles is a virus that causes pain, itching, skin blisters, and other unpleasant symptoms. If you suspect that you have shingles, see your doctor right away. It's best to receive medication within three days of the first appearance of a shingles-related rash on your skin. That will help to control symptoms and reduce how long you will suffer with a shingles outbreak. Prompt treatment also lowers your risk for something called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN causes burning and itching that can last for months after a shingles rash has disappeared.
Talk with your doctor about the causes of and treatments for shingles.