Shingles Treatment

Recently Answered

• QWhat are the treatments for herpes zoster oticus?

  2 Answers

  A

  

  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  If you develop herpes zoster oticus and have mild symptoms, your doctor may determine that you don't require any treatment. However, medications are available to treat more severe symptoms. Your doctor will probably instruct you to take drugs called steroids for five to seven days. Steroids treat the symptoms of herpes zoster oticus by lowering inflammation. If these medications don't control your discomfort, you may also receive a prescription for strong pain killers. In addition, your doctor may also ask you to take antiviral medication such as acyclovir or valacyclovir. If you are experiencing dizziness associated with herpes zoster oticus, physicians typically prescribe the drug diazepam.
  
  Your doctor can determine which treatment is right for you.

  See All 2 Answers
• QWhat prescription treatments will help shingles symptoms?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A 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.

• QAre topical medications available for pain relief from shingles?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine answered

  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.
• QWhat will take my mind off the pain of shingles?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Sheri Van Dijk , Psychiatry, answered

  Any 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.

• QWhat over the counter medications will help manage shingles?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Dr. Devi E. Nampiaparampil, MD , Pain Medicine, answered

  Some 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.
• QCan acupuncture and herbal medicine treat postherpetic neuralgia?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Dr. Maoshing Ni, PhD, LAc , Geriatric Medicine, answered

  Shingles 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.
• QIf I suspect an outbreak of shingles, how soon should I start treatment?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  Shingles 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.